Mercedes service protocols/service strategy

[NarrativePsych]

Completed a B Service under a service plan at the end of last month. I received a call from Inchcape indicating that although the vehicle was serviced, it should have had a gearbox and differential oil change concurrently, and they cannot reimburse the service fee from the plan without doing the necessary maintenance.

This is despite my informing them (and it being documented) that Mercedes Beaconsfield completed the maintenance, which was due at £30,000 in November 2023, prior to my purchasing the vehicle (as a stipulation of my acquisition from an independent dealer). It is returning for its second set of oil changes within 12 months, granted at no expense to me, but costing £800 to 'someone' for the service.

It seems illogical to repeat the process; yet, I perceived that they would attempt to levy charges for the prior service if I declined, since they would interpret it as a violation of contract (i.e., omitting service items, etc.).

[Adv3nture]

It is presumed that the independent entity lacked access to the MB DSB and did not update the DSR.

Consequently, the MB dealer cannot depend on written bills from unfamiliar garages or on clients' verbal accounts. If it is not recorded on the DSB, then from their perspective, it was not executed.

The plan necessitates that your vehicle be serviced according to the manufacturer's timetable.

[NarrativePsych]

I purchased the vehicle from an independent seller, who had the maintenance performed at Beaconsfield Mercedes as a stipulation of the sale to me (I saw both repairs were necessary when reviewing the history). The individual who contacted me from Inchcape said that she could see it in the system.

It is perplexing that people would choose to repeat the task.

[Mastervest]

What is the required frequency for this task?
To meet the requirements set by MB, the gearbox and differential oils must be changed at the current mileage or age of the vehicle. I assume the £800 expense is attributed to MB (included in your plan costs?). The first execution incurred costs that were borne by the independent entity and included in the vehicle's purchase price.

[NarrativePsych]

The service time for both the gearbox and differential oil is 30,000 miles or 3 years, if I recall correctly. Thus, when it was completed at Beaconsfield Mercedes in November 2023, with the vehicle having 30,500 miles at that time, it was the first occurrence.

Nonetheless, I would assert that the visit constituted out-of-band labour conducted at the behest of the individual from whom I purchased the vehicle. The involvement of an authorised dealer in the repair, which is documented, makes it perplexing that Mercedes would want to repeat the process. However, if they are unable to claim for the first B service I had last month, it seems logical that they would want a repeat service.

I am not expressing dissatisfaction; it incurs no cost to me. I am receiving a vehicle for the day, and my only obligation is to transport the automobile to and from the dealer, a distance of seven miles each way. I am more perplexed than anything else!

[AmericaMonster]

I would be quite pleased to get two gearbox oil changes in a little period. You now own a whole new gearbox.
I question if the cost of oil and filters amounts to £50; the £800 charge mostly reflects labour and profit.

[Adv3nture]

On one hand, the dealer would undoubtedly compensate MB far below the recommended retail price for components and fluids; yet, on the other hand, they will get remuneration from MB under the plan for their technicians' work at a rate considerably lower than what they would charge a client directly. Nonetheless, servicing constitutes a lucrative enterprise, since it generates effortless revenue for the dealer.

[Lovelyas]

Lakeside has repurposed retail space into service and MOT bays.