Rdfusal to honour warranty!!!

[Lorenzo]

I purchased a new Mercedes E 220 CDI in Swindon this year with 6 months still remaining on its 3 year warranty. I took the car to Dublin and re-registered it there with an Irish plate. I now require some warranty work to be carried out, however, Mercedes Benz UK are refusing to honour the warranty even though it has not yet expired. The reason given by Mercedes is that the car has now been removed from the UK and, therefore is not covered.

Question: Is this contrary to any reasonable interpretation of what a warranty stands for? Any thoughts or useful comments from any expierenced Mercedes owners?

Disgruntled first time Mercedes owner

P.S. Mercedes cars purchased in Ireland only carry a 2 year warranty.

 

[davidsl500]

Interesting question, i suppose it depends what is written in their warranty terms and conditions. it is interesting in that people do purchase cars outside of the UK and have no problems getting the warranty honoured by UK dealers.

Have you thought about ringing the UK dealer that you bought it from to see if you can get it booked in for the repairs in the UK? If the repairs are substantial then it would be worth the trip - and you can always say you have returned to the UK now! I am sure they cant quibble about where you drive your car!

 

[ddentrec]

Having taken various companies to court over the years due to contractual disputes (some I lost...I can't always be right!!) the answer is simple:

1. Carefully read the warranty information provided to you *at the time* you purchased the car.
2. If it *clearly* states that exporting the car to another EU/non-EU state will invalidate the UK warranty then that is too bad.
3. If the warranty says nothing about this then write (not phone) DCUK customer services asking for a copy of the *current* warranty details in writing (or get same from your local M-B dealer. If this also says nothing about EU export then I would write to DCUK/dealer explaining you position that they should honour the warranty work.

Do not threaten any court action--they get this all the time and a bored by such threats. But if you still get no joy then issue a court summons. But always be polite but firm.

 

[mlc]

If we assume that your warranty really is with MB UK and that the car has been serviced on time by authorised MB main dealers even if they are in Ireland then I think they are pushing thier luck.

Its hard to see how changing the paperwork on the car could effect the warranty, half the MB's in the UK change registration when they are sold as they have private plates so what is different.

I assume that the magic difference is that MB Ireland sell cars with only 2 years warranty, however I am confident that if you did the move the otherway (buy a car in Ireland then move to UK and register it here) they wouldnt say that its now a UK car so covered for three years!

Be polite and push them for your rights, then see them in court

Mark.