Goodwill Warranty

[Keith Mac]

Hi Folks,

Could anyone please point me in the right direction to try and find some info out about Mercedes Life time Guarantee on body work.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Regards

Keith Mac

 

[jberks]

Its complicated, however, he short answer is pre 98 cars had an 8 year corrosion warranty and post 98 have a 30 year corrosion warranty.

However, there are lots of terms, conditions twists and turns so for example you're supposed to have full dealer history - but many have had approvals without it. Age, condition and how long you've personally had the car all feed in.
So whilst we can give an experienced view as to whether we think you'd be succesful with a claim, no-one knows for certain until a claim goes in, and potentially is appealed.

What is categorically not covered is damage (scratches, stone chips etc) and repairs to panels that have been sprayed since it left the factory (they measure the paint thickness with an electronic gizmo).

What's your problem?

 

[Keith Mac]

Thanks for your prompt reply

This is the problem……

"What is categorically not covered is damage (scratches, stone chips etc) and repairs to panels that have been sprayed since it left the factory (they measure the paint thickness with an electronic gizmo)."

A friend had an accident in his 1999 reg car in 2004, it was repaired via his own insurance company. A bit of rust has developed on the same panel BUT NOT on the part that was repaired/resprayed.

Mercedes have had a look said it would have been covered but they are voiding the panel as it has been repaired via a non authorised dealer. He wants to write to his insurance company advising that they have messed up his warranty but would like to send as much info as possible in support.

Keith Mac

 

[jberks]

The wife's audi was hit a few years ago and we have an almighty row with Audi Insurance (red star) regarding where it went. They wanted it to go to their approved (read 'gives us a heafty discount') bodyshop and we refused to allow them on the basis that it wasn't Audi approved and would invalidate the corrosion warranty - They didn't seem to get the irony of them being "Audi" insurance!. They then said that it could go where we wanted but as their bodyshop provided their loan cars that we couldnt have one of those, despite it being stated on the policy. Eventualy, after the customary threat of litigation, it went to the Audi dealer and they hired us a car from Europcar.
Sadly most people just accept whatever the ins co say - as your friend did.

I suspect he has a fight on his hands but the starting point surely is a letter from the dealer stating the reason the claim was declined. This isn't something that the inso is set up to handle though, so all I can say is good luck - he's going to need it.

If nothing else, let this be a lesson to others.

 

[Rory]

The wife's audi was hit a few years ago and we have an almighty row with Audi Insurance (red star) regarding where it went. They wanted it to go to their approved (read 'gives us a heafty discount') bodyshop and we refused to allow them on the basis that it wasn't Audi approved and would invalidate the corrosion warranty - They didn't seem to get the irony of them being "Audi" insurance!.

That's truly bizzare - the main point of getting insurance in the manufacturers name is that you take the car to the manufacturers bodyshop (which still could be a back street place, it's just that it carries their approval).

 

[jberks]

That's truly bizzare - the main point of getting insurance in the manufacturers name is that you take the car to the manufacturers bodyshop (which still could be a back street place, it's just that it carries their approval).

So you'd think, but in actual fact all manufacturer's insurance is, is a marketing excercise. We did use it against them but in reality we were simply insured with Equity Red Star. Audi Insurance is simply a sales vehicle, just as MB insurance will be.