[Dearcybara]

Hello everyone !

I just purchased a 2016 smart passion with 9k miles on it . According to service records a 20k service was done one year ago on 10/2017 and also a new battery was put in. Fuse replaced ,electrical system checked etc one year ago . I go to Mercedes today and the advisor tells me because it’s a 2016 it’s due for a 30k service . I asked well is it truly due for 30k if the car hasn’t even reached 10k miles yet ? He continued to repeat that they perform service by the year . I’ve had this far for 3 days and I’m not handy with repairs so I wanted another opinion . I let them do the oil change which is $250 ... he advised me that the 30k service would be about $700 . I just don’t know if I’m being ripped off or if it’s even time for the 30k

 

[jzchen]

To keep my warranty I did have a 3 yr/30k service done at the 3 yr anniversary before 15k miles. Spark plugs are supposed to be replaced if I recall correctly...

 

[Dearcybara]

Thanks for the reply ! The advisor came back and said my car actually didn’t need any repairs . Did the oil change and reset my maintenance clock . So if choose not to do a 30k service at 9k miles then my warranty can be voided ?

 

[smark]

Thanks for the reply ! The advisor came back and said my car actually didn’t need any repairs . Did the oil change and reset my maintenance clock . So if choose not to do a 30k service at 9k miles then my warranty can be voided ?

No!!! It wouldn’t. Why do a 30k service, with only 9K mikes, on the clock.

 

[Dearcybara]

That’s exactly what I thought but he originally was sticking to the script of I needed the 30k maintenance ( this is before he even looked at my car ) . So I understood that usually by the 3rd year you would be near that mileage but my car was only at 9k so I was confused . The valet guy was raving how amazing my car drove and how he wants one

 

[door2416]

Your car shouldn't need anything done with only 9k miles. It's bad enough that they rip you off 250 dollars for an oil change on a Smart.

 

[mloganusda]

Walmart does an oil change for $30.

MLogan
2015 Passion
Smyrna, TN

 

[jzchen]

That $700 is very high! I didn’t catch that note...

 

[Dearcybara]

Right ! And then for the guy to come back and say the car didn’t need anything replaced . I’m just scared to void the warranty . So I can go elsewhere and get my oil changed and still keep my warranty ? He was really adamant about me doing the 30k maintenance before he even looked at the vehicle . Just kind of confused on the warranty and what can avoid if , and why Mercedes charges so much for an oil change . I called tire plus and they quoted me at $100. I was afraid to go there thinking it would void my warranty or cause damage . Any advice guys would be greatly appreciated . New smart owner , week 1

 

[Dearcybara]

Yes he quoted me at about $650 for the 30k service and then told me he would not reset my maintenance clock if I didn’t do the service .... after I have some pushback and questioned if the service was indeed necessary . He restarted my maintenance clock and confirmed I didn’t need any repairs . Not a good first experience at the dealership honestly

 

[jwight]

Just my .02 but I'd start looking for an independent shop that can work on your car; see if you can find a shop that does a lot of Mercedes work and has a STAR computer on site.

 

[Miss Mercedes]

The fortwo's maintenance schedule is every 10k miles or 12 months. Your 2016 falls into the 12 months category.

I have a 2016 that only has 5k miles. I just change the oil and do an inspection on the other service items. With such low mileage it's highly unlikely that you will need new plugs and I bet the engine air filter probably needs no more than a nice dusting off.

Keeping the car maintained is a requirement to keep your warranty. However, you are legally free to do your own maintenance (or have anyone do it) and the replacement of wear items can be at your discretion.

If a dealer wants to deny warranty coverage because of a supposed lack of maintenance (or modifications) it's on them to prove it.

 

[Yinzer]

Keeping the car maintained is a requirement to keep your warranty. However, you are legally free to do your own maintenance (or have anyone do it) and the replacement of wear items can be at your discretion.

If a dealer wants to deny warranty coverage because of a supposed lack of maintenance (or modifications) it's on them to prove it.

Exactly. It is llegal for a car manufacturer to require service at a dealership in order to keep a warranty valid. And in practice, if anyone brings a car in to a dealer for a warranty repair, I suspect that it is very rare for a dealer to deny warranty service becasue, say, some oil changes were not on schedule.

$700 for an oil change, some visual inspections and maybe, changing spark plugs, is utterly ludicrous.

 

[Dearcybara]

Thanks guys ! I will look for a local dealer to take my car to from now on . I just wanted to check the car to make sure it didn’t need any repairs . To check the car would have been $300 . I’ve been looking at some of your dealer quotes and I’m not sure why it’s so expensive where I live( Fort Lauderdale)

 

[Dearcybara]

Right I was very shocked when he gave me the price quote . I came in for 10k maintenance thinking my car has 9k miles I’m doing a good thing . He’s like actually you’re do for 30k service and that will be $650 . I am used to having Honda’s so this is all very new and shocking to me . I knew the car was made by Mercedes but daaaaamn

 

[ElementalDragon]

It's basically the Mercedes tax. Big name, big prices, even though our car is neither. Think my first oil change that i got on my 2016 was around $150-200 or so. I'm now nearing 60,000 miles, and that's the ONLY service i've had the dealership do on my car besides warranty work. I just get an oil filter from Amazon for sub-$20, and oil from either Wal-Mart or Auto-Zone or something (Mobil 1 Full Synthetic 0w40 European Car Formula) which is probably another $30 or so. I also bought a set of ramps to back my car up onto, the socket to take the oil filter cap off with, and the square bit to take the oil drain plug out with after that first expensive oil change at the dealer, and they've MORE than paid for themselves over the previous 4 that i've done myself. I guess maybe i should look into spark plugs, though.... probably not a bad idea. Still running great, though, and i always use 92-93 octane fuel, so buildup shouldn't be an issue.

 

[Dearcybara]

Thank you ! So how do you guys know when you need to take it in to Mercedes for warranty repairs ? do you get it diagnosed elsewhere and then bring it to Mercedes to to the repair ? They also quoted me $350 to look at the vehicle for any issues

 

[Dearcybara]

So as far as the 20k , 30k , 40k service etc ?? Do you guys go to a local mechanic for those services ?

 

[jwight]

Routine service can be done DIY or by any good auto repair shop. If it involves the computer systems on the car then a smart center is normally the best option.

 

[Miss Mercedes]

Warranty repairs are supposed to be done at no cost to you. If something breaks and you have a warranty, they are supposed to fix it for free.

Exceptions to this rule are belts, wipers, tyres, brakes, and other wear items unless they fail very early.