Servicing - Specialist vs. Main Dealer

[BlueJ]

I have a S213 E400d, just over 2 years old so within manufacturer warranty.

I am fairly sceptical about the level of service received from main dealers, so am tempted to use a local specialist for servicing etc. I am thinking specifically of MB Tech in Warrington. I am new to Mercedes but have always liked to use specialists in the past, as you can build a relationship with them and I generally believe you get better looked after (not to mention lower prices as you're not paying for the latest £60M all glass dealership to be built).

I would be grateful for the PH community's view on two matters:

1. Will using an independent affect warranty cover? The MB Tech website says not, as they are ex-MB technicians following MB service schedule, but in practice could it make a claim (if one came up) more difficult to process?

2. Will an independent service history affect resale value much?

Thanks in advance.

[samoht]

1) It's illegal for a company to restrict warranty cover to cars serviced by franchised dealers, and I haven't heard of any making it 'difficult' in this case. As long as you have the service history to show that the service schedule has been carried out on time, I would not expect any issues there. I believe new cars service history is all online, can MB Tech update this? I believe independents are able to do so, if so then I wouldn't worry.
I do believe that if you want to try and ask for a goodwill contribution on a failure _outside_ the warranty period/terms, then a franchised service history will be significant. Since it's not an obligation, they're more likely to offer a contribution if it's been with their dealer network.

2) If you want to sell it at three years old, I'd expect it to be worth a bit less / be a bit harder to sell without FMBSH, since most equivalent cars will have it. I don't know how much. Some buyers would be happy with an independent specialist service history. As the car gets older it will make much less (zero) difference.

[BlueJ]

Thanks Samoht

Makes sense, so I'm thinking use franchised dealer for services up to say 4-5 yrs old (if indeed I keep the car that long), but use the specialist for MOTs and anything that crops up beyond the services.

[cayman-black]

That's what i would do get anything you see that needs doing by the specialist and put into the MD for routine services. Also with a full MBSH you always have breakdown cover in place.

[Dog Star]

Service prices have become so ludicrous at MB that I simply refuse to pay them. Admittedly I am pov scum and lease mine, but up until the last service I've always paid a bit more and gone to MB, having been able to negotiate with them and get a price match.

Last service at a mere 13k and two years old on my E220d MB wanted £600 !!! There would of course be upsells like brake fluid change on this. It's little more than an oil change, a "multi point check" and a silly video of your undertray.

I got a local MB independent who had a very nice workshop, knowledgeable and friendly mechanics etc and the same job, all updated on the digital system for £225 all inclusive. Lease funder perfectly happy with it.

I've had a warranty claim (AC failure) since - no problems.

Add up four years of service costs at MB vs a good indie and I'm not convinced the car value will be that much greater, if at all.

[Sheepshanks]

Dog Star said:

Last service at a mere 13k and two years old on my E220d MB wanted £600 !!! There would of course be upsells like brake fluid change on this. It's little more than an oil change, a "multi point check" and a silly video of your undertray.

To be fair, they'll change the key battery as well - but probably only in one key, and only if you remember to ask.

The pollen filter is changed too. Brake fluid is included in that price. You can see the details in MyService.


I think the pricing is about making ServiceCare look a no-brainer. It'd be around £35/mth for your car, which is still bonkers over two or three years, but slightly cheaper than PAYG. To some people the Mobilo Assistance package has value - although I think you get that for 3yrs anyway (they keep changing it) . At least ServiceCare includes everything that needs doing - some other manufacturer plans only cover basic servicing.

The dealer I used to use (MB Cheshire Oaks, so same Inchcape group as Warrington) emails now and again saying they'll price match. Years ago (when they were in Chester) I used to be able to get very good pricing by negotiating but last time I tried they just referred me to MyService - to be fair, it did apply a discount due to age of car and a B Service was £250. Oddly it didn't call for brake fluid, but they offered it for £40 on the day (this is a few years ago).