Mercedes Service or Garage?

[merckdan]

I have a 16' plate C Class Coupe which has done 24,000 miles. It has had 3 years of MB servicing and is now due its Service B. MB quoting me £428 for the service but I have also gotten a special (NHS offer) quote from Mercedes independent specialist garage in Manchester for £234. Of course I understand the resale value of the car is normally increased when it has full MB service history but I'm wondering how much of an effect does it actually have? Not sure which way to go with it.


Also my brake wear indicator has come up recently too so will need to get that done. Worth getting MB to do it and pay the premium or a Merc garage?


Thanks in advance

 

[Blobcat]

Hello and welcome

The price difference at resale will be £0. Full service history is important, a Mercedes Independent will do as good (most likely better) and update the online service history.

 

[bertb1]

I’d go with the Indy garage as it’s all uploaded to the Mercedes data base but ask them first to make sure they have access to the data base


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[McDonald]

I have a 16' plate C Class Coupe which has done 24,000 miles. It has had 3 years of MB servicing and is now due its Service B. MB quoting me £428 for the service but I have also gotten a special (NHS offer) quote from Mercedes independent specialist garage in Manchester for £234. Of course I understand the resale value of the car is normally increased when it has full MB service history but I'm wondering how much of an effect does it actually have? Not sure which way to go with it.


Also my brake wear indicator has come up recently too so will need to get that done. Worth getting MB to do it and pay the premium or a Merc garage?
Thanks in advance

The forum overwhelmingly prefers Merc Specialist Indies. Over 3 years with a specialist, you'll save a considerable pile of money. Blobcat's right, the resale value won't be affected. Intelligent buyers want to see the service interval and the MOT history. Everyone looks at colour, spec and condition. How the car looks and drives will determine the price.

 

[bertb1]

I’m in Manchester
What’s the Indy garages name?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[merckdan]

I’m in Manchester
What’s the Indy garages name?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Aycen Mercedes if you've heard them? I've never used them or anything. Is there anywhere you recommend?

 

[bertb1]

Where in Manchester are you ?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[merckdan]

Where in Manchester are you ?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Live in Didsbury. Work in Failsworth. So anywhere in Manchester is fine for me

 

[bertb1]

There’s a place in moston called mercaid
I used these for a A service
Oil change
Air filter
Oil filter
Brake fluid change
£350 cash
They seemed fine and I’ve had no problems with the work they did
There is also a place in Hyde called AMG Cheshire for a gear box service
I’ve had no problems but a bit expensive


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[EmilysDad]

I’d go with the Indy garage as it’s all uploaded to the Mercedes data base but ask them first to make sure they have access to the data base


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Can Joe Bloggs access the MB data base? If not, it matters not whether the Indie can or not cos Joe Bloggs can't get in to check .....
I've bought my last 2 cars from Merc dealers (yes ... I know I paid over the odds) & just assumed that they'd been serviced as they should've been, I never asked to see any service history.

 

[sonic]

Don't just check with local MB dealership as the service price varies between dealerships.

 

[bertb1]

Can Joe Bloggs access the MB data base? If not, it matters not whether the Indie can or not cos Joe Bloggs can't get in to check .....
I've bought my last 2 cars from Merc dealers (yes ... I know I paid over the odds) & just assumed that they'd been serviced as they should've been, I never asked to see any service history.

If you call Mercedes they will tell you what service has been done on your car
It’s all logged as long as the Indy has access to the data base to log the service that was done


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Tym]

I’m in Manchester
What’s the Indy garages name?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Isn’t Dronsfield in the Manchester area? Been to them for parts in the past. Also very helpful on the phone when I rang recently


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[EmilysDad]

If you call Mercedes they will tell you what service has been done on your car
It’s all logged as long as the Indy has access to the data base to log the service that was done


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Not as easy & straight forward as a service book that they stamped ....

 

[JBell]

Put the car details in here https://www.mymercedesservice.co.uk/#/your-vehicle it will tell you what is needed. Remember to click on the "Extras" bit as at 4 years old it will need brake fluid, engine air filters and a couple of other bits.

 

[John Laidlaw]

I think the general consensus on here would be to trust a car which had one of the good indies service history after MB warranty period (oh I know there is the discussion around Indy servicing being valid within warranty provided MB parts used, which is valid but in reality how many do?), so as BC says it will definitely not affect any resale value ...you’ve MB Tech in Warrington too if you want to travel a little bit further out

 

[curious]

There's even an argument main dealer servicing vs independent will lower the value. Your main dealer is unlikely to show the same level of interest in doing the service correctly as an independent (or even a DIY owner). In a lot of instances the person actually doing the service at a main dealer will have no interest whatsover and is only completing one checklist after another until his day is done.

I've said it before, the only thing a main dealer stamp in the book guarantees, is that they stamped the book.

 

[LostKiwi]

The only other thing to consider is Mobilo breakdown support. With a dealer services car it's renewed automatically but not so with an independent.

 

[grayb]

When we bought our current Merc, it came with the printouts of the online service records. We have also kept all the subsequent printouts - so we have both the online records and printed records. An Indie will need to subscribe to the MB system to keep the online record up to date - but they will also thus have access to all the software updates etc. I wouldn't use an Indie who didn't subscribe.

 

[EmilysDad]

When we bought our current Merc, it came with the printouts of the online service records. We have also kept all the subsequent printouts - so we have both the online records and printed records. An Indie will need to subscribe to the MB system to keep the online record up to date - but they will also thus have access to all the software updates etc. I wouldn't use an Indie who didn't subscribe.

IMHO it makes no difference to the car or its value whether MB themselves know it's been serviced or not. What ever Indie/garage services your car they'll give you an invoice.