caterhamseven
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Apologies for the long essay, but thanks for reading.
I notice that unlike the Mercedes US website, Mercedes GB don’t actually provide a specific definition or checklist of what criteria a used car has to meet in order to attain the Mercedes Approved status. I make the point because my first venture into used, let alone Approved used Mercedes is not what I expected. Let me explain…
Having seen on the net a dark green, 1981 X-reg Approved e200k avantgarde estate with 65,000 miles at Merc Direct Birmingham for £7999; I discussed price, got a £999 discount and paid my deposit over the phone on 5 Feb. The Salesman said the car would be ready in a couple of days and assured “everything would be right” on the car and he would call when it was ready for me to see.
He kindly phoned to say “… a small delay…” as the bonnet had few chips that had gone rusty and had to be painted. Then it needed an exhaust…then brakes. I was pleased as the vehicle conditioning seemed thorough. I had an opportunity to go up to Birmingham on 10 Feb, so naturally called in to see how things were going. The car was on ramps in the workshop and taking a look round I was told the just the alloys needed refurbishing before delivery.
The parts order/job sheet lying on the floor revealed some £2800 of equipment had been ordered, (which made me very happy), but indicated the tailgate was rusty and had been painted…Why wasn’t I told about that??
Condition wise, the car lay there with new discs fitted and the bonnet clearly painted. Looking at the paint job at the front, there was dirt in the paint, massive overspray to the wheel arch liner and they had blended into the doors very roughly. ‘It will mop out” was the positive reply. Under the bonnet the engine bay was not clean and full of dead leaves. The wing bolts and bonnet bolts had been removed at some point with the wrong sized socket and so were burred with paint missing. Accident repair? Inside the car, the speedo housing was out and at the back; the tailgate needed its badges refitting. I was assured the steam clean, bolts touched in, wheels refurbished, body mop and polish etc would all be done.
After another delay because it needed a new speedo the car was finally delivered on 15 Feb. Unfortunately the condition was not as promised and I sent it straight back with their driver. The front paint job had not been mopped and the overspray on doors etc was still there. The alloys had been painted with a silver aerosol and just covered the corrosion bubbles. The roof had two rust blusters bang in the middle and a nice dent in the leading edge above the screen. The offside front brake disc also still showed the grey paint finish because one of the pistons had stuck! The engine bay was still filthy with leaves and grease. Oh, and the seat belts made an awful noise when you pulled them out.
Now I am not sure what Mercedes expect a 7 year old car to look like, but this is a mobile advertisement for them and with terrible paintwork, iffy wheels and dents in the door and roof; frankly, the condition is below what I expected.
The Sales Manager has said “I spent over 3 grand on the car in the workshop and if you don’t like it we can unwind the deal”. Seems to me they should have appraised the car properly when they bought it and not hold me responsible for their big workshop bill. Surely they have to adhere to Mercedes Approved standards and not prepare the car to a limited budget just because they bought it at the wrong price.
As I said I am not sure of MB’s vehicle condition standards, but if anyone can offer advice it would be appreciated. Or should I talk to Customer Services at MB Head Office? Thanks & regards.
I notice that unlike the Mercedes US website, Mercedes GB don’t actually provide a specific definition or checklist of what criteria a used car has to meet in order to attain the Mercedes Approved status. I make the point because my first venture into used, let alone Approved used Mercedes is not what I expected. Let me explain…
Having seen on the net a dark green, 1981 X-reg Approved e200k avantgarde estate with 65,000 miles at Merc Direct Birmingham for £7999; I discussed price, got a £999 discount and paid my deposit over the phone on 5 Feb. The Salesman said the car would be ready in a couple of days and assured “everything would be right” on the car and he would call when it was ready for me to see.
He kindly phoned to say “… a small delay…” as the bonnet had few chips that had gone rusty and had to be painted. Then it needed an exhaust…then brakes. I was pleased as the vehicle conditioning seemed thorough. I had an opportunity to go up to Birmingham on 10 Feb, so naturally called in to see how things were going. The car was on ramps in the workshop and taking a look round I was told the just the alloys needed refurbishing before delivery.
The parts order/job sheet lying on the floor revealed some £2800 of equipment had been ordered, (which made me very happy), but indicated the tailgate was rusty and had been painted…Why wasn’t I told about that??
Condition wise, the car lay there with new discs fitted and the bonnet clearly painted. Looking at the paint job at the front, there was dirt in the paint, massive overspray to the wheel arch liner and they had blended into the doors very roughly. ‘It will mop out” was the positive reply. Under the bonnet the engine bay was not clean and full of dead leaves. The wing bolts and bonnet bolts had been removed at some point with the wrong sized socket and so were burred with paint missing. Accident repair? Inside the car, the speedo housing was out and at the back; the tailgate needed its badges refitting. I was assured the steam clean, bolts touched in, wheels refurbished, body mop and polish etc would all be done.
After another delay because it needed a new speedo the car was finally delivered on 15 Feb. Unfortunately the condition was not as promised and I sent it straight back with their driver. The front paint job had not been mopped and the overspray on doors etc was still there. The alloys had been painted with a silver aerosol and just covered the corrosion bubbles. The roof had two rust blusters bang in the middle and a nice dent in the leading edge above the screen. The offside front brake disc also still showed the grey paint finish because one of the pistons had stuck! The engine bay was still filthy with leaves and grease. Oh, and the seat belts made an awful noise when you pulled them out.
Now I am not sure what Mercedes expect a 7 year old car to look like, but this is a mobile advertisement for them and with terrible paintwork, iffy wheels and dents in the door and roof; frankly, the condition is below what I expected.
The Sales Manager has said “I spent over 3 grand on the car in the workshop and if you don’t like it we can unwind the deal”. Seems to me they should have appraised the car properly when they bought it and not hold me responsible for their big workshop bill. Surely they have to adhere to Mercedes Approved standards and not prepare the car to a limited budget just because they bought it at the wrong price.
As I said I am not sure of MB’s vehicle condition standards, but if anyone can offer advice it would be appreciated. Or should I talk to Customer Services at MB Head Office? Thanks & regards.
