Rust what are my chances

[paul c]

Have just discovered rust on wheel arches of my 2001 c class had hoped to get away with it, just been to MB they say there is a 8yr cut of period for surface rust mine expired in Janhowever they have taken pictures and say they may or not do it under goodwill how do you rate my chances.

 

[philharve]

Get more than one assessment

Have just discovered rust on wheel arches of my 2001 c class had hoped to get away with it, just been to MB they say there is a 8yr cut of period for surface rust mine expired in Janhowever they have taken pictures and say they may or not do it under goodwill how do you rate my chances.

Hi paul c

You are just outside the 8 year warranty limit. The 'goodwill' factor seems to be dealer dependent and they may or may not entertain a claim. Obviously if you had detected the rust sooner your chances of a 'yes' would have been considerably enhanced. However, I know from bitter experience that the rust when it manifests on the wheel arches is not really visible unless viewed from beneath. It can go undetected for quite a long time.

My indie discovered wheel arch rust on my 2000 C230K at 6 years. It was beneath the paintwork along the edge & lip of the wheel arch and not up the sides which would have been visible. My dealership said 'no' to my claim so I had another assessment performed by their MB-approved bodyshop and they said 'yes'. I was lucky. The rust was caught in time and a 'back-to-bare-metal' repair was done. Repainting was peerless. I had a few other bodywork imperfections repaired at the same time. I figure a proper repair will cost in the region of GBP300.00+ per corner. A quick respray will be much cheaper but very unlikely to last more than a year or two.

A 9yr Mercedes with rust is not worth much but one which has been properly repaired will be worth a lot more and will last longer. Whatever you decide, attend to the rust sooner rather than later because it will only get worse and get worse very quickly.

The original owner of my car detected rust in a door gutter at 18mths and got it repaired under warranty. It broke out again, same place, and he sold it in utter disgust and frustration at 4 1/2yrs. I purchased the car but was not informed of the rust. After much hassle with the dealer the gutter was repaired a second time, this time for good, I hope. Then the wheel arches started to go. I then realised MB had a big rust problem and my loyalty to the marque was severely tested. I purchased the C230K as a long term investment because I once thought 'Mercedes don't rust!'. I know better now.

My C230K has proven to be a reliable car and even if it were older than its 9 years I would definitely consider having the wheel arches properly repaired at my expense if the rust had started to appear now. I tend to keep my cars a long time which is a prime motivator for having the work done.

If you plan to keep your car and your rust claims are rejected, have the work done anyway. A retrospective claim might succeed if it is repaired at an MB-approved bodyshop. Expect to have a fight on your hands. Get an assessment of the damage and its likely cause by the bodyshop. Mercedes is not in such a strong position these days to be able to ignore loyal customers and a fundamental rust problem that is both well known and documented. You never know, you may get lucky too.

REGARDS

Phil

 

[hawk20]

The eight year rust warranty was on cars built before October 24th 1998 which is when the 30 year rust guarantee came in with MobiloLife. Dealers seem to get confused. Remind them.

 

[shiny]

CDI 270 Rust on Wheel Arches

Hi,

Just discovered rust spots on the wheel arches of my 54 (05) CDI 270 Estate. Dealer has agreed to do the work at a MB approved bodyshop. Whilst the rust doesn't look too bad and from stone chips I am concerned as to how long the repair will last. They say they will rub it all down back to metal and perform the proper treatments.

I know it's a difficult question to ask but how long can I expect it to be rust free following repair?

Thanks

 

[Alex M Grieve]

Hi,

Just discovered rust spots on the wheel arches of my 54 (05) CDI 270 Estate. Dealer has agreed to do the work at a MB approved bodyshop. Whilst the rust doesn't look too bad and from stone chips I am concerned as to how long the repair will last. They say they will rub it all down back to metal and perform the proper treatments.

I know it's a difficult question to ask but how long can I expect it to be rust free following repair?

Thanks

I believe the anti rust warranty was intended to cater from rust from under the paintwork - especially penetrating rust. Rust following surface damage was not the intention, but if the dealer will repair it, that is a bonus. A 54 (05) car will have been galvanised in manufacture and should not rust, so I would expect a competent repair to be as good as new.

 

[shiny]

Many Thanks Alex, it's just a bit worrying when you hand over 12 grand for a car and it's rusting! I'm getting it done by the MB bodyshop in 2 weeks so as you say it should be done well.

Many thanks you guys are very helpful!

 

[Mr Roy]

Rust

Mine was just in 8yr period. Dealers got Merc UK to personaly view they decided to own 100% 3 wings but one wing was down to me as I had a damge repair done on my own bat years ago. It had to go to Merc repairer nice job done, I paid 'cash' for my wing, now all wings cleaned up very with rubber stone chip bonding. OK rust will come back but 90% plus removed cant complain. Body shop showed me all the problem mercs he has with the S class the WORST, he stated merc are very embarrassed about the problem. When it comes back I will return to merc who shoul do same after 8 yrs age but goodwill will decrease so I will have to top up cost. NO other manufacture will do this. Last note new parts are galvanised the wheel has rotated.

 

[Gurmot]

Have just discovered rust on wheel arches of my 2001 c class had hoped to get away with it, just been to MB they say there is a 8yr cut of period for surface rust mine expired in Janhowever they have taken pictures and say they may or not do it under goodwill how do you rate my chances.

This is a very common problem and (so I was told by a MB approved body shop) due to cost cutting exercises around 2001 - 2002. My car had exactly the same problem and I expected them to fix it under the 30 year warranty. Guess what? They told me that it didn't count as the rust was "from the outside-in" whereas rust "from the inside-out" is covered!! However, as a gesture of "goodwill" they agreed to fund 75% of the costs leaving me with a bill for £177, take-it or leave it.

I took it but it left a very sour taste.

I believe that there are hundreds of cars on the road with exactly the same fault / defect / design problem and MB are well aware of this. It's cost them lots already and that's why they are fighting a defensive battle against any claims. A bodyshop manager at another dealer recently told me that he was under "very strict instruction from MB NOT to point out any rust to customers AND to only act on the specific areas indicated by the customer". This means that you may see rust on your wheel arches but the underside could also be shot-through. If you take in for the visible rust they will effectively ignore anything else.

My advice is that you get an independent inspection of the entire vehicle, ideally with photos and a report stating that any relevant rust is "from the inside-out" and that you submit this, in writing to your dealer requesting that they carry out the work under their 30 year warranty.

Good luck, you will definitely need it once you start along this road.