[Macgd016]

Local German Car Specialist is quoting £490 for A Service, using genuine parts
Going with them

How much 😱 my local independent charges £155

 

[Peter55]

At £40 per month then it works out at the same price from MB 🤷

Actually I was offered a 2 year service plan by my dealer last year for £33 per month, but I didn’t expect to still own it now
I just haven’t done to miles to justify changing it, hindsight is a great thing

 

[Peter55]

How much 😱 my local independent charges £155

It’s a 3rd year A Service, inc Gearbox Oil change and a whole host of other probably unnecessary things

 

[hxrty]

Hi Guys,

Had my A-Class W177 for about a year now and it's due a B service in two weeks - Now don't get me wrong I fully want to service the car with OEM quality parts and have the work done correctly by a proper mechanic and have the digital service records updated.

The car is on a PCP finance agreement and every time I have approached Mercedes about servicing they are so strict in where it can be serviced and throw all these warnings and threats at me about getting it serviced outside of the network.

They say I will lose my roadside assistance if it isn't serviced by them
They say it will devalue the car if it isn't serviced through them
They say If the car stops working due to work done by an independent it won't be covered under the warranty (This I understand)

Mercedes want the best part of £550+ for a B service which I knew when taking out the car would be expensive but that is just criminal.

I did look to use an independent who use genuine OEM parts but they can't update the digital service records, which is a real shame.

Halfords do a competitive B service and update the digital service records for £265. I'm thinking of using them.

How concerned do I need to be with all this? Really could use some help guys

 

[StackH]

As far as I understand it, it's true you'll lose the roadside assistance - I'm pretty sure it's dependent on the car being MB dealer serviced.

With regards to devaluing the car, we recently visited three different main dealers when trading in my wife's Mazda, and in every instance we were asked if the car had a "full main dealer service history". This indicates to me that there may have been a reduction in trade in value if it wasn't serviced by a Mazda dealer. However, the car does have a full main dealer service history so I can't say for certain. Obviously we may also have just hit three dealers who were specific about the main dealer service history, others may not be bothered.

One thing to check - does the PCP agreement specify it has to be serviced by MB?

 

[hxrty]

A full-service history is required. The vehicle must be serviced and maintained in accordance with the manufacturer's published service intervals within the Approved Workshop network. Basically, I'm stuffed.

 

[StackH]

Is it worth looking into a service plan? It might help spread the cost, although not necessarily reduce it.

Service Plan

www.mercedes-benz.co.uk

 

[veeeight]

The car is on a PCP finance agreement

@hxrty
Is it on a Mercedes-Benz PCP? This makes a difference whether you can get it serviced outside the M-B Network or not.

 

[hxrty]

@hxrty
Is it on a Mercedes-Benz PCP? This makes a difference whether you can get it serviced outside the M-B Network or not.

Yes PCP

 

[veeeight]

Is it a Mercedes-Benz PCP, or some other finance company PCP?

This makes a difference, as if it's a M-B PCP - it says in the finance documents that you have to use the M-B dealer network, or pay a penalty at the end of the term if the car hasn't been serviced by a M-B dealer.

 

[Forrester]

Is it a Mercedes-Benz PCP, or some other finance company PCP?

This makes a difference, as if it's a M-B PCP - it says in the finance documents that you have to use the M-B dealer network, or pay a penalty at the end of the term if the car hasn't been serviced by a M-B dealer.

I assume it's an MB PCP from this line:

The car is on a PCP finance agreement and every time I have approached Mercedes about servicing

So yes it has to be an MB franchised dealership or a penalty will apply later. As it is what it is I would look at the service plan thread.

 

[hxrty]

As far as I understand it, it's true you'll lose the roadside assistance - I'm pretty sure it's dependent on the car being MB dealer serviced.

With regards to devaluing the car, we recently visited three different main dealers when trading in my wife's Mazda, and in every instance we were asked if the car had a "full main dealer service history". This indicates to me that there may have been a reduction in trade in value if it wasn't serviced by a Mazda dealer. However, the car does have a full main dealer service history so I can't say for certain. Obviously we may also have just hit three dealers who were specific about the main dealer service history, others may not be bothered.

One thing to check - does the PCP agreement specify it has to be serviced by MB?

Hi Guys,

Had my A-Class W177 for about a year now and it's due a B service in two weeks - Now don't get me wrong I fully want to service the car with OEM quality parts and have the work done correctly by a proper mechanic and have the digital service records updated.

The car is on a PCP finance agreement and every time I have approached Mercedes about servicing they are so strict in where it can be serviced and throw all these warnings and threats at me about getting it serviced outside of the network.

They say I will lose my roadside assistance if it isn't serviced by them
They say it will devalue the car if it isn't serviced through them
They say If the car stops working due to work done by an independent it won't be covered under the warranty (This I understand)

Mercedes want the best part of £550+ for a B service which I knew when taking out the car would be expensive but that is just criminal.

I did look to use an independent who use genuine OEM parts but they can't update the digital service records, which is a real shame.

Halfords do a competitive B service and update the digital service records for £265. I'm thinking of using them.

How concerned do I need to be with all this? Really could use some help guys

UPDATE!

I contacted MBFS and they had this to say - Please note this on a headed letter from MBFS.

Mercedes-Benz Financial Services (MBFS) recommends that you use Mercedes-Benz approved garages for any servicing, MOT's and/or repairs.
However, you are allowed to go to an independent garage, as long as you can keep a record of all the work completed on the vehicle, and that they use authentic Mercedes-Benz parts to complete the work. You must also make sure that they are VAT registered.
If you return the vehicle, and the work that has been done is not up to MBFS' standards, then you will be liable for the cost it takes to rectify this.
If you are unsure of how to identify an approved Mercedes-Benz garage, then we would suggest speaking with a Mercedes-Benz dealership for more information. Alternatively, you can call the Service Care Plan line as they may be able to provide more information on this, however, i cannot guarantee what information they have access to.
The Service Care Plan number is: 0344 406 1006
If you experience any push back from any Mercedes-Benz dealership regarding this, and you would like to take it further, we have a customer care line that can help raise a complaint.
The Customer Care number is: 008 009 7777777
Please choose option 1, and then option 2, to get through to their department.

 

[Forrester]

This is in line with our comments. A matter of deciding the cost against cost of not using an MB dealer.

 

[veeeight]

^+1 Yep.

Check your finance paperwork.

 

[JessB]

Hello, just wondering how much others have paid for servicing. My car (A200)is coming up to 3 years old in Jan and is due a service. When I’ve been on to book a slot via the Mercedes website it’s telling me the cost is £810? The car has done just over 13,000 miles and was serviced last year, which cost around £600. Has anyone else been quoted similar?

 

[Prets2022]

Hi guys,

So I do try and do my research before posting anything, honest!

So my car has done 45600 miles and is due a Service A service.

My local Mercedes dealer service cost is £538.00 which was somewhat expected and as my car is out of warranty, I looked into independent Mercedes specialists to do the service and what quotes they gave.

The first one - Car Servicing, MOT, EV & Hybrid Specialist Garage in Bletchley, Milton Keynes from Signature MK - 01908 803900

Oil £71.00
Oil filter £9.85
Washer £0.90p
Filter (fine) £37.80
Air filter £27.50
Spark plugs X4 @ 10.30 each
Brake fluid £8.95
Labour £202.86
Fuel treatment £11.95
Sundries £9.50
All plus vat
Digital service book updated also.

The total comes to a little less than Mercedes themselves, about £20 less, so first thought it go to Mercedes directly.

Got a second quote which is very different, much lower - Autoclass Garage – Independent Mercedes-Benz Specialist

I asked them what an A Service £180 consisted of but they didn't answer that. Maybe I didn't ask properly but assumed it would be a lot of the things above plus air filter and spark plugs.

A service £180
Air filter £41
Spark plugs £125
Lubricate roof mechanism FOC
Totaling £346.00 inclusive of genuine parts and lubricants, our labour, the VAT and the updating of the digital service record.

So £346.00 seems very appealing and like that they lubricate the roof mechanism also but my main wow moment was the difference in spark plug costs. From £40 to £125 between the first and second quotes. Is that normal?

As this is my first service (and my first Merc), I wanted to get an experts opinion before moving forward. Realistically, I'll own this car for another 2.5-3.5 years and understand the value will slightly be diminished for not having a main dealer service but I'll deal with that when it comes time to sell the motor.

Thanks for any advice

 

[smithysmudger]

Regarding the difference in cost for the spark plugs the second quote will have added labour costs to changing the plugs whereas the first quote is just for the spark plugs hence the big price difference.

 

[Prets2022]

Thanks pal. I couldn't work out why such a difference in price but that makes sense 👍

 

[Greenjacket]

So my car is a A 200 sport premium petrol auto, 2019. I have 4,600 miles on the clock.
Although the Car is not due for its second B service until August time, I thought I would use the MB calculator to see the cost.
Without the service plan, £775.00 for a B service, with a two year plan, £960.00! WTF!
For a car that, come August time will have done approx 5000 miles and 3.5 years old. Incredible.!
what do I get for £775.00. Some say oil, trans fluid.spark plugs etc. Other schedules say no, not till the cars 4 years old!
Anyones thoughts please!

 

[ikon66]