Warranty work - most trivial done and most major refused??

[BrianM]

Just had my E320 CDI in to the main dealers for a service. Car is still under MB warranty. I mentioned that the wing mirrors were a bit squeaky when operated and that I'd tried WD40 to lubricate them. Could they please lube them up with whatever they used. Anyway, when I picked the car up they had changed out both motors under warranty! Don't know how much this would have cost (£200?) but seems a bit excessive when a bit grease or spray would have done the trick but I'm not complaining.

Got me thinking.
1. What's the most trivial piece of work that the dealer has 'gone to town' on and carried out a major repair when it was not needed.
Conversely
2. What important work has the dealer refused to do under warranty?

Best and worst of both please!

 

[OmniCognateNeutronRangler]

Just had my E320 CDI in to the main dealers for a service. Car is still under MB warranty. I mentioned that the wing mirrors were a bit squeaky when operated and that I'd tried WD40 to lubricate them. Could they please lube them up with whatever they used. Anyway, when I picked the car up they had changed out both motors under warranty! Don't know how much this would have cost (£200?) but seems a bit excessive when a bit grease or spray would have done the trick but I'm not complaining.

Got me thinking.
1. What's the most trivial piece of work that the dealer has 'gone to town' on and carried out a major repair when it was not needed.
Conversely
2. What important work has the dealer refused to do under warranty?

Best and worst of both please!

New gearbox control unit because cruise control kept crapping out (although it may also have been because I told them the gearbox was lumpy) ....didn't fix either problem. Then refused to change the windescreen wiper because although the rubber had gone hard it hadn't split.

btw, this is under Service Plus which strictly speaking isn't a warrantee

 

[jberks]

The daftest thing I had done was on a headlight on my 210. There is a small plastic strap that clips in top and bottom between the 2 lenses. No idea what it does but from what I could see, not a lot. It certainly isn't a critical component. However, mine had broken in the middle.

Whilst it was in, I told the service chap that I know I was being pedantic but please pop a new strap on it.

I was a bit surprised when they asked me to return when they had the part in.
I duly returned the following week, feeling a bit silly for such a minor bit of plastic. They took the keys and drove it into the workshop, parking right in front of the big picture window. Again, overkill for a tuppence bit of plastic but anyway.

The mechanic then proceeded to remove the front wheel! I then watched in amazement as he dismantled the wheelarch, unbolted the bumper and removed the headlight. He then pulled a brand new headlight assembly out of a box and proceeded to install it before reassembling the whole front end.
I guess MB don't supply the 10p plastic strap!

I've also had a row with them over a rear door sill trim panel. Another 10p bit of plastic. It was missing on my car on deliver (clever really as they had carefully polished the paintwork where it should have been as part of the pdi!).
I called and asked them to get me one in. The response was that I needed to book it in (3 week hence) so they could "inspect the problem". They would then order the "necessary parts"!

 

[Timechaser]

Havent really had anything refused, but asked the dealer to repaint the calipers as the rust made them look unsightly and they replaced the calipers and the pads...

 

[OmniCognateNeutronRangler]

I think this highlights a real problem with MB Main dealers, they are not prepared to look into problems they just replace parts. All very well and good when warrantee work but ****** anoying if you're paying for it yourself.

 

[BrianM]

I think this highlights a real problem with MB Main dealers, they are not prepared to look into problems they just replace parts. All very well and good when warrantee work but ****** anoying if you're paying for it yourself.

Fully agree! I'm a private owner and have often found them wanting to change out parts willy-nilly. Seem to think everyone is a millionaire or running a company car and doesn't care about the expense.

 

[Blobcat]

My brothers Range Rover has been similarly treated, whilst it is under warranty the garage have been replacing parts left right and centre. I think it is because Land Rover pick up the bill so the dealership is making a fortune out of the warranty work.