Mercedes servicing

[Sprinter16]

First post but a long time lurker!

Bought myself a 2 years, 3 month old (67 plate) C Class in January this year, it will be due an A service in November and Mercedes have kindly offered to do this for £550 plus anything they deem to add on!

I would love to have a pretty Mercedes service record when I sell it in a few years but no way am I paying £550 for an oil change, then £800 for the B service next year.

I've looked at independents and their prices are cracking comparatively but when I read through what they (or even Mercedes) actually do its an oil/filter change and 35 other things (all checks) that I can (and do) myself on a regular basis.

Selling a car with no service history is fraught with danger I would imagine so do I just bite the bullet and spend £200 to have a piece of paper from an independent?

Love to hear opinions on this,

Thanks all

[SuperPav]

C Class as in boggo standard C class or something fancy like a C63 AMG?

Also depends how long you aim to keep the car...

£200 for not getting hands dirty and a service stamp from a "Merc specialist" indie is fair enough. £550 from main dealer sounds expensive, but are you sure that doesn't include more than a filter/oil change?

To be honest I'm not sure even places like WBAC put a premium on main dealer history vs indie history these days, isn't it just whether it's "full" or "partial"?

[Sprinter16]

Thanks for your reply. It's a C-CLASS C 220 D AMG LINE PREMIUM so nothing extravagant. The list of what's done is:-

Replace engine oil and oil filter
Check & advise if cabin pollen filter is required according to age/mileage
Check front and rear lights
Check horn
Top up screen wash bottle
Check wiper blades
Check front (and rear) wash and wipe system and adjust jet settings
Check coolant strength and level (minimum -25C)
Check power steering fluid level
Visual look over top of engine compartment for obvious faults
Visual check underneath for excessive oil leaks
Check condition and security of undertray
Check battery condition
Check for correct clutch operation
Check for correct gearbox operation
Check and top up clutch fluid where applicable
Check drive shaft gaitors for security and report leaks
Check for timing belt (cambelt) replacement interval and report if replacement due according to mileage or age
Remove road wheels
Check tyre condition and tread depth (including spare)
Check and adjust tyre pressures (including spare)
Set wheel nut torque to manufacturer's settings
Inspect exhaust system (including catalyst if fitted) for leaks, security and noise
Visual check for exhaust smoke
Check brake pads for wear or damage
Check brake callipers for leaks and security
Visually check brake hydraulic system, pipes and hoses for any leaks, chafing and corrosion
Check brake discs and drums for wear, cracks, corrosion and scoring or pitting (excluding internal drums)
Check brake fluid level and top up if required
Check dashboard warning lights
Reset service indicator
Stamp paper service book or update Mercedes Digital Service History
Carry out road test and final checks


"To be honest I'm not sure even places like WBAC put a premium on main dealer history vs indie history these days, isn't it just whether it's "full" or "partial"?"

You're probably correct and it's a very good point you make

Edited by Sprinter16 on Monday 21st September 15:17

[Al U]

Depends massively on what you are doing with the car when you get rid of it.

[vikingaero]

From that list 80% is common sense - do the frickin lights work? And you could do checks yourself.

Seeing as most C-Classes are automatics, I'd love to see them do this: "Check for correct clutch operation".

[Chamon_Lee]

youll be massively shoot yourself in the foot trying to save money doing it yourself. youll loose much more come resale time on a car that new. if it was 10 years old id say yeah sure but not on anything under 6 years old.
At the very least an indy. but even indy vs MB you will have some sort of devalue on your resale depending on how long you keep it.

[Mo28]

Which Mercedes dealer is this because those prices are overly inflated. I've had the A and B services done on my now departed C220d coupe and they were no where near those prices.The A service at my local dealer was £300 and B service was £500

Edited by Mo28 on Monday 21st September 15:27

[Sprinter16]

I've done some back of a fag packet calculations and think I'd probably spend £2,000 more at Mercedes than an indy over 6 years, the question is of course, will that £2,000 be reflected in it's value on an 8 year old car, (worth circa £6-7,000 by then) I feel it wont but that's why I came here for opinions as I'm no expert or car dealer!

[Welshbeef]

You want to get yourself onto the Mercedes service plan.

Currently they have a 20% off if you pay for the services now upfront.
You can buy 2/3/4 services all in one go.

My S205 C63 Premium pack for instance is
2 services £883.20
3 services £1,324.80
4 services £1,766.40
This includes the gearbox oil change too also you get a courtesy car too on every service - which costs £50 otherwise.

Kind of makes the numbers you posted eye watering lot expensive. Oh these prices are for 0-15,000 a year.


Deal expires 31/9/20 it’s been going since 1/7/20 -31/9/20

[Benmac]

Some independent MB specialists have access to the digital systems that MB use to record service histories, keep warranties etc. Mine does despite being a two man operation in an old shed.

The net result is that the car still has a proper MB service history all recorded properly and the service work done (as evidenced by printouts) is done exactly in line with the MB requirements.

The benefit of the specialist doing it then becomes that the jobs are done properly and with care and I get to talk to the chap actually doing the work and it costs me a lot less. Win, win.

[clarkey]

Servicing at Mercedes using the fixed-price deal, anything extra at the indy......

[Dave Hedgehog]

Welshbeef said:

You want to get yourself onto the Mercedes service plan.

This is exactly what merc want you to do, subscription services are the next big thing for car dealers

servicing has become a massive scam

i would only do main dealer if the car was under warranty and an M / RS / AMG with the potential for huge bills

if i was going to keep i would use a someone who specialises in the mark

if at some point it was going to an online car buying service then kwik fit or who ever was cheapest with a legit stamp. Wifes GTi had 2 kwik fit services in the book and it made zero difference to the purchase price

[Sprinter16]

Checked that out, they want £1,824 for 4 services, (£456 each) didn't immediately see any discounts but would still be £364.80 each after 20% off.

Thanks for all the replies, I think considering everything I'll go to a local Indy I've found, as Benmac states, digital records are added and they charge £146 for an A service, I'm not a skinflint but equally don't want to pay more than necessary. The car if all goes to plan will be kept 5/6 years, I'll then be retired so maybe more so full main dealer service record will have less of an impact by then.

The £550 I mentioned was quoted to me "over the service desk" whilst I was there for another reason at Lookers Mercedes, Worcester, that was the minimum plus any parts found to be required!!

[Dave Hedgehog]

Sprinter16 said:

Checked that out, they want £1,824 for 4 services, (£456 each) didn't immediately see any discounts but would still be £364.80 each after 20% off.

Thanks for all the replies, I think considering everything I'll go to a local Indy I've found, as Benmac states, digital records are added and they charge £146 for an A service, I'm not a skinflint but equally don't want to pay more than necessary. The car if all goes to plan will be kept 5/6 years, I'll then be retired so maybe more so full main dealer service record will have less of an impact by then.

The £550 I mentioned was quoted to me "over the service desk" whilst I was there for another reason at Lookers Mercedes, Worcester, that was the minimum plus any parts found to be required!!

watch out for the extra's, things that used to be included like pollen filters are suddenly charged on top of the service ...

and the biggest scam going - inspection services, £200 to look over your car to find faults they can bill you for, zero actual service work. You are paying them to find work for themselves. VW and Audi caught us for this. (Wont be buying either brand again)

[Mo28]

Sprinter16 said:

Checked that out, they want £1,824 for 4 services, (£456 each) didn't immediately see any discounts but would still be £364.80 each after 20% off.

Thanks for all the replies, I think considering everything I'll go to a local Indy I've found, as Benmac states, digital records are added and they charge £146 for an A service, I'm not a skinflint but equally don't want to pay more than necessary. The car if all goes to plan will be kept 5/6 years, I'll then be retired so maybe more so full main dealer service record will have less of an impact by then.

The £550 I mentioned was quoted to me "over the service desk" whilst I was there for another reason at Lookers Mercedes, Worcester, that was the minimum plus any parts found to be required!!

Don't know if you missed my post earlier OP, but servicing at my local Mercedes dealership was a lot cheaper than the numbers you were quoted by yours

[Zippee]

£550 seems expensive.
I've got an AMG GTS, so nice big 4.0 V8 and AMG tax. Even then my last B service in Jan from a mail dealer was £897. This included plugs and brake fluid.

[raspy]

Definitely sounds like your MB dealer is charging way too much.

I paid £550 for my "A" service on a C350e, and that also included brake fluid replacement, MOT and panoramic sunroof lubrication.

If you are prepared to drive away from where you live, you can get services done cheaper, I found 25% difference in service prices between London MB dealers and those 20-70 miles away from me. I checked using https://www.mymercedesservice.co.uk/#/your-vehicle

Personally for me, I don't mind paying for main dealer servicing on my 2015 C class, as it provides another 12 months Mobilio coverage, which I've found to be amazing. Early one Monday morning, my car's check engine light came on when starting, I phoned MB Mobilo, who told me to drive to the nearest MB dealer (tell them Mobilo sent you and they will book it in as an emergency, rather than you having to wait 2 weeks like dealers normally say), and then within 2 hours, Mobilio had arranged a brand new C class rental car whilst mine was being diagnosed. The next day I got a call from the dealer telling it was simply a software update problem (all resolved under MB warranty), and I could just collect it. I could even just leave the rental car at the main dealer when I went to pick up my one, and they would co-ordinate with the rental car firm to get it collected.

[Dave3166]

My C63 V8 was out of warranty last November.
Needed a ‘B’ service this year.
Took to a recommended specialist for gearbox oil service (much cheaper) then was booked in for ‘B’ service at MB.
During gearbox service, they noted a sump oil leak, common problem, said they could do for £100 including new gasket, 1 hr labour.
But, thought MB could do it when service done as didn’t want to pay for engine oil twice.
Phoned MB dealer it was booked in with, quoted about £600 plus needed for 3 days, this was on top of service time/ cost. Was happy to pay for the service but not oil leak cost, bloody rip off.
When I said, what does that price include for oil leak, it was same as what specialist would do.
So, cancelled service with MB and serviced incl leak done at specialist.
All put on to MB database, I was given the full service history print out from MB database when I collected my car.

But, when next service due, will use MB again. So, will only have one non Merc service on record since 2013. Will not effect resale in the slightest.

Hope this helps.
I would add, get serviced each year, Merc or good indie, then, it you want, just do oil & filter your self between services, I would if I had the facilities to do that.

Cheers.

Dave S.

[TarquinMX5]

Recently bought new MB, discussion on px value of old car, which was 10 year old owned-from-new MB with fsh. Sales 'executive' was really sorry that they couldn't offer a better price as the full service history wasn't MB main dealer. Okay, understood, but how much difference would it make if it was a full dealer history. Oh, an extra £200.

And there was me thinking it might be £thousands more

Didn't bother px-ing and have just kept it.

So, it depends how long you want to keep it.

[Dave3166]

TarquinMX5 said:

Recently bought new MB, discussion on px value of old car, which was 10 year old owned-from-new MB with fsh. Sales 'executive' was really sorry that they couldn't offer a better price as the full service history wasn't MB main dealer. Okay, understood, but how much difference would it make if it was a full dealer history. Oh, an extra £200.

And there was me thinking it might be £thousands more

Didn't bother px-ing and have just kept it.

So, it depends how long you want to keep it.

£200, you could get that back not always going to MB.

Him saying that, probably marketing.
You will tell others, who will go to Merc for servicing because of what he said.

This is what it seems like to me.