Engine Sludge/Flushing

Matt23

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Hi

I purchase an 11 plate E200 SE CGI Blue-efficiency Convertible (Auto) 4 months ago from a dealer as approved used. I was told it was fully serviced, although not shown records as they are held centrally on MB's computer (practice I don't agree with as it's just an attempt to tie you to a dealer).

Over the 4 months I had repeated issues with sluggish apparently out of sync gear changes and on a couple of occasions losses of power. With very limited knowledge I guessed this to be a transmission issue and reported it as such to the dealer - basically the car has been back to them 4 times under warranty, twice fully recovered on a breakdown truck and the EML has been on 3 times.

At this point I'm regretting going anywhere near MB (longer story, the car hasn't been looked after by the dealer and was actually damaged on 1 visit).

Finally on visit 4 (after keeping the car for 2 weeks) they diagnose a large build up of engine oil sludge which has been blocking things and obviously dramatically affecting performance.

It's now been suggested that the car wasn't fully serviced and probably hasn't had an oil change prior to the 'service B' MB claim they carried out in April (approx 28k, now at 30k).

Q1. Does the above stack up? Car clearly wasn't fully serviced as claimed but is it likely no oil change until 28k and then a change and new filter would result in this problem?

Q2. Does the dealers solution sound like the right approach to take?

They are suggesting a double engine flush followed by another flush after 1k. Can anyone offer advice on whether this is sufficient/likely to be harmful in itself/what else I should say I want done (cars still under warranty and this is MB's mess to sort).

Ultimately I'm concerned about letting them off the hook too lightly so they can do the flush, wash their hands of it and I have future problems because of what they've done or just ignoring a bigger issue that remains.
 
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Philedge

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Just reject the car and tell them you dont want it. If the servicing is questionable you're only lining yourself up for further problems down the road.

Speak to citizens advice about the action you should take but let MB know as soon as you can that you want to reject the car. You can only reject the car within reasonable time limits and the longer you leave it the less chance you have of getting rid of it.
 

brandwooddixon

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I would think that you have valid grounds for rejecting the car based on the selling particulars.

They sold you a car with full service history and from their own admission it would appear that the car doesn't have a full service history.

No MB has a service interval of 28k miles between oil changes.

Get their full assessment in writing if possible and then use it to reject the vehicle, demanding a full refund.
 
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Matt23

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Thanks for the replies.

At this stage I've asked MB UK to get involved to look at the overall matter as a complaint, largely to avoid being played off by the two dealers (selling dealer, and the local dealer who currently have the car).

I'm also speaking to my solicitor tomorrow to ensure that any requests I make are made formally and are not brushed off.

I agree - my first instinct would be to reject the vehicle. The additional complication here though is that I had the car interior re-trimmed 2 months ago so even a full refund wouldn't cover this additional cost.

If an offer of a full refund, plus damages to cover the re-trim costs was on the table it would be an easy decision, but this clearly won't be offered so I want to investigate whether I have legal grounds to pursue this. The re-trimmed car is more saleable ('once fixed' than the vehicle I bought) but I have no doubt the the dealer will look to offset the value of having the car, albeit an unreliable car, for four months to produce a calculation that leaves me out of pocket.
 

television

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Not easy is it:( what path do you go down, if you got a full refund from what you paid for the car the one thing in your favour will be that the prices have drooped a lot since purchasing the car, and this could offset the trimming cost.
 

robparker

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All the other stuff aside, do people think that a 2 year old car with 28k, even if never serviced, could have an engine gunked up with 'oil sludge' ? I dont know much about new models etc, but it just seems unlikely to me
 

television

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All the other stuff aside, do people think that a 2 year old car with 28k, even if never serviced, could have an engine gunked up with 'oil sludge' ? I dont know much about new models etc, but it just seems unlikely to me

I agree 100% with modern oils that does not happen
 

brandwooddixon

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I agree that this seems unlikely, but as pointed out it was sold as a full service history when it obviously hadn't had.

I suspect that these CGI power plants with their extra lean burn, turbo charged technology are more dependent on regular servicing.
 
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Matt23

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I agree 100% with modern oils that does not happen

I tried to push the fixing dealer on this today, and although they've 'unsurprisingly' gone very cagey about offering opinions at this point the impression I got was that they thought this was odd too.
 

television

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I tried to push the fixing dealer on this today, and although they've 'unsurprisingly' gone very cagey about offering opinions at this point the impression I got was that they thought this was odd too.

Most of the ones in the booking in area are not clued up on cars at all, after saying what they did I am not surprised that they have gone cagey :D
 

Matt32AMG

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Agreed Malcolm. Unless you get connected directly with the service manager who is handling your vehicle, they should at least should have a clue as to what has been done to your car, if not they can look it up.

Typically if you were to ring the main agents you will get put through to reception, who will normally be attractive and polite ladies who will be more than happy to put you through to the appropriate department. In this case I would be asking for the service manager as outlined above. ;)

Really sorry you are having issues here. If it were me, I would be handing the keys back, and asking for my money back, simple as that. :(
 
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Neil H

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Just picked up on this thread.. Has the OP had any response or resolution?
 


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