Paint warranty help needed.

[G-a-r-y]

My car a W210 2000 had a new tail gate and wings painted before I got the car (4-5 years ago), since I've owned it (2.5 years) I had the tops of the doors done (18 months ago) and a new bonnet last year. I've noticed rust bubbles coming from under the drivers door trim and around the passengers door mirror. I took the car to my local Sytner and put in a claim only to be told a week later that it's been refused. Why? I was told to call Mercedes which I did. They told me the claim was rejected because "there is no warranty on the car"?
I have full MBSH and the service book clearly states a 30 year perforation warranty. What's my next move? Please help/advise me, I can't be the first?

 

[Cole@MBS]

Theres so many threads on here Gary, do a search, your be reading all night!!

 

[jberks]

I believe you've fallen down the 8 year rule. The 30 year warranty doesn't cover paintwork corrosion, only rusting through from the inside. Whilst its a fair argument that its rusting through from under the paint, it doesn't wash with MB. Everyone belives that its the 30 year warranty that they fix rusting 210s under but if you read the warranty doc, you'll find its really for the type of corrosion that affected cars in the 70s and 80's where doors and wings rusted through from the inside and fell off. It was never intended to cover bubbling paintwork.

8 years is how long the paintwork warranty seems to last. MB seem to get less obliging after that point. With assistance from the dealer they can sometimes be convinced to extend it but in the current climate it may be an uphill struggle.

 

[G-a-r-y]

Good news, I called the dealer and asked if had put all the details of my claim in correctly because Mercedes said "no warranty" He re-claimed and called this afternoon to say it has been approved, drivers door, passengers door, both rear wings (arches) all on a good will basis. I don't think they'll be doing any more work for free?
Thanks to the dealer for trying/re-applying so hard? The man deserves a drink.

 

[Dosco]

Good news, I called the dealer and asked if had put all the details of my claim in correctly because Mercedes said "no warranty" He re-claimed and called this afternoon to say it has been approved, drivers door, passengers door, both rear wings (arches) all on a good will basis. I don't think they'll be doing any more work for free?
Thanks to the dealer for trying/re-applying so hard? The man deserves a drink.

Indeed he does, good to hear something positive on the subject....

 

[AndrewIles]

Ditto.

I had assumed MB were now taking a hard-line in a bid to keep their warranty bill down now that trading is more diffiicult. Maybe I shouldn't be so cynical.

I had my wheel arches sorted last year by MB. I have now found a tiny bubble under the paint towards the bottom of the drivers door (about the size of a penny). I shall probably see the dealer to see what they say!

 

[jberks]

its good news and one again shows that you should never take the first answer. (unless its yes )

 

[Shanusacarabus]

Congratulations... mines was still rejected after going all the way to the top :-(

 

[G-a-r-y]

UPDATE: Took the car in today (for the rust on both front doors and rear arches). Told them I was very fussy. I asked how long the repairs are guaranteed and if the repairs would match my paint colour? Also asked to quote for a small dent on the drivers door?
Had a call back this afternoon, "good news Sir, it needs two new doors we are putting in a claim now, we like to do the job once properly" They'll do the arches this week and hopefully doors next week if allowed? Great service for a car nine years old. Great garage BTW.

 

[EGBM]

That's very good news - there is hope!

Pleased for you,

Cheers.

 

[G-a-r-y]

Collected car today, they painted arches and then flashed over the whole rear wing to blend it in, not too bad. Waiting for Mercedes UK to give permission to fit two new doors. Rough cost £1000. Is that right?
Body shop manager said it's the tidiest class he's seen. Made me happy

 

[Dex]

Body shop manager said it's the tidiest class he's seen. Made me happy

Why does that not surprise me.......

 

[G-a-r-y]

It's taken until now to get approval for the the two front doors (from Mercedes) booked in for august 4th.
I wonder what colour they'll be? Same shade as the bonnet? or rear wings? or tailgate? Only the roof is original paint colour. Perhaps now they'll have to paint the complete sides to blend it all in?

 

[television]

It's taken until now to get approval for the the two front doors (from Mercedes) booked in for august 4th.
I wonder what colour they'll be? Same shade as the bonnet? or rear wings? or tailgate? Only the roof is original paint colour. Perhaps now they'll have to paint the complete sides to blend it all in?

It will be bad if they do not do it all to match

 

[AndrewIles]

Even if the colour match is not 100%, it is better than two rusting doors!

 

[Alex M Grieve]

It's taken until now to get approval for the the two front doors (from Mercedes) booked in for august 4th.
I wonder what colour they'll be? Same shade as the bonnet? or rear wings? or tailgate? Only the roof is original paint colour. Perhaps now they'll have to paint the complete sides to blend it all in?

This is the parable of the axe, is it not? A lumberjack said that he was very proud of his axe - had it for years, original and still going strong. He then conceded that the handle had been changed twice, the head once and he replaced the wedges every 6 months.

How much of a car has to be replaced piecemeal before it ceases to be the original car?

 

[Bluegrass]

I've just been called back from the MB body shop in Brentford, London regarding redoing rust warranty work done last year.

On the door rims they want a 25% contribution from me and on the bubbling on the roof I have to take it back to the body shop that did it last year.

The problems are in exactly the same place as before.

It seems to be very poor workmanship for it to come back again.

I'll try another dealership to see what they say.