Mercedes C Class

[Mike6]

Just had to post this as I couldnt believe it.
A friend with a 10 year old c class V6 diesel had a headlight bulb go out. Took it to halfords who replaced it for him , we then fast forward a couple of months. Bulb went out again around the time a standard service was due. He took it to his main dealer who said water had got into the headlight as halfords hadnt sealed the unit properly. He left car with dealer for service and new headlight. He then got a call to say the headlight was not available at any Mercedes dealers so one had to be manufactured and it would take a number of weeks. He agreed to this and the other day got a call to say car could be picked up. Main dealer said they also found a leak on the oil pump which needed to be stripped down and they presented him with a bill for £5400. £180 an hour plus vat labour rate.
Just couldnt believe it, what a rip off.

 

[Pondrew]

Two lessons to be learned there;
1. Don't use Halfords for anything as they are crap
2. Don't use a main dealer as they are also crap (generally) and extremely expensive.

Reminds me of the old comedy saying ; "I maybe useless, but at least I'm expensive"

 

[Bombur]

Unbelievable prices, surely owner had an idea of costs before and during so it wasn't a shock?

 

[Scubaregs]

^This^
Who has a main dealer do any work without getting a quote?

 

[enuff_zed]

There is also no evidence it was Halfords fault. It could have been water ingress that popped the first bulb.

 

[mr wilks]

:rofl: there isn't a 10yr old Mercedes worth £5400 is there
Owner deserves all he gets taking a aged Mercedes anywhere near a main dealer
though as the saying goes :roll: a fool & their money . . . . . . .

 

[Mr Tidy]

How much?

There I was thinking BMW dealers were expensive!

 

[ronk]

How much?

There I was thinking BMW dealers were expensive!

But there is all that "Free" coffee! :rofl:

 

[MikeyH]

How much?

There I was thinking BMW dealers were expensive!

But there is all that "Free" coffee! :rofl:

And biscuits?

 

[Pondrew]

And biscuits?

And Wifi, so you can still use your laptop to trade your bitcoins while you wait.

I was in a Merc dealership once (and only once) for a service (lease conditions). The bird on reception made a big thing about the 'free' filtered coffee. I said "keep your coffee and give me money off my extortionate service instead". She said NO.

 

[ronk]

It’s not as tho they are particularly good/skilled/efficient either- they rarely get it sorted first time!

 

[Bombur]

It’s not as tho they are particularly good/skilled/efficient either- they rarely get it sorted first time!

And thas to make more money

 

[buzyg]

All been said. Don't use Halfords or main Stealers. :thumbsdown:

 

[Hilly30si]

Did he pay the bill

 

[Mike6]

Yeah, he paid the bill and says car is now running well!!. He has no idea about cars and always uses the main dealer. They gave him a figure of around £3k for the service and headlight unit. Whats the betting they have him earmarked as a mug and will be calling him back soon on some pretence like air con needs regassing or tyres need safety checks.