Car dispute advice?

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tolmie's hairdoo

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My garage stated it was a hardware problem with my car and diagnosed I needed a new screen display - £900 - which I could really do without right now - and it would be a day away at best.

Despite the new screen the problem still exists and they still retain my car after five days, now claiming today they have discovered a secondary issue - a software corruption issue.

I stated to them beforehand that a Mercedes garage mate of mine had said it could well be software issue.

The garage insisted a new screen would resolve the issue, so any advice would be really appreciated.

I don't know if they are taking the piss (I just believe they didn't diagnose it properly)

Can I refuse to pay for the original diagnosis and insist they only charge for the software issue?

I only have their word for it that it needed the new screen?

How shall I now come back to them if they want to bill me for the screen and the software fix?

Thanks
 
tolmie's hairdoo said:
My garage stated it was a hardware problem with my car and diagnosed I needed a new screen display - £900 - which I could really do without right now - and it would be a day away at best.

Despite the new screen the problem still exists and they still retain my car after five days, now claiming today they have discovered a secondary issue - a software corruption issue.

I stated to them beforehand that a Mercedes garage mate of mine had said it could well be software issue.

The garage insisted a new screen would resolve the issue, so any advice would be really appreciated.

I don't know if they are taking the piss (I just believe they didn't diagnose it properly)

Can I refuse to pay for the original diagnosis and insist they only charge for the software issue?

I only have their word for it that it needed the new screen?

How shall I now come back to them if they want to bill me for the screen and the software fix?

Thanks
Click to expand...
Have a word with trading standards.
 
tolmie's hairdoo said:
My garage stated it was a hardware problem with my car and diagnosed I needed a new screen display - £900 - which I could really do without right now - and it would be a day away at best.

Despite the new screen the problem still exists and they still retain my car after five days, now claiming today they have discovered a secondary issue - a software corruption issue.

I stated to them beforehand that a Mercedes garage mate of mine had said it could well be software issue.

The garage insisted a new screen would resolve the issue, so any advice would be really appreciated.

I don't know if they are taking the piss (I just believe they didn't diagnose it properly)

Can I refuse to pay for the original diagnosis and insist they only charge for the software issue?

I only have their word for it that it needed the new screen?

How shall I now come back to them if they want to bill me for the screen and the software fix?

Thanks
Click to expand...
If it's not under warranty you may be stuffed. Ask them to put the old screen back and get a refund for the new screen ?

They're probably guessing as to what the issue is. Modern cars can be a bastard to diagnose.

Or usual BM advice.....torch the garage and smash back doors etc etc etc
 
mancityvstoke said:
If it's not under warranty you may be stuffed. Ask them to put the old screen back and get a refund for the new screen ?

They're probably guessing as to what the issue is. Modern cars can be a bastard to diagnose.

Or usual BM advice.....torch the garage and smash back doors etc etc etc
Click to expand...

Ha- thanks.

I could ask them to put the old screen back in but I wouldn't be able to tell one way or another if they had.

They are an independent Mercedes specialist and would hope they were being honest.

Is it worth them asking to put the old screen back in and then try and do the software fix.

They say one of the jacks or the SD card has become corrupted - I only ever use the jacks to charge my mobile?
 
tolmie's hairdoo said:
Ha- thanks.

I could ask them to put the old screen back in but I wouldn't be able to tell one way or another if they had.

They are an independent Mercedes specialist and would hope they were being honest.

Is it worth them asking to put the old screen back in and then try and do the software fix.

They say one of the jacks or the SD card has become corrupted - I only ever use the jacks to charge my mobile?
Click to expand...
yeah.....they'll want paying for labour though...it all starts adding up.

I had an issue with a VW Golf once (erratic idling) They couldnt fix it after a £700 bill (year 2001) They suggested I part ex it. Cunts.

Same with a Honda CRV Sat Nav issue - Honda wanted to replace the whole unit for nearly a grand. I took the unit out and cleaned the DVD optical head. Worked a treat after.
 
This reminds me why I'm dreading getting a modern car.

Why would I want a £1000 computer in my car that does nothing to help me get anywhere faster or in more comfort and only seems to be a money pit.

Hopefully they put the original screen back in and it's working okay.
 
Have a look on the main Merc site to see if there have been any problems with the software that they know about or see if there are any forums that talk about software problems.
 
tolmie's hairdoo said:
My garage stated it was a hardware problem with my car and diagnosed I needed a new screen display - £900 - which I could really do without right now - and it would be a day away at best.

Despite the new screen the problem still exists and they still retain my car after five days, now claiming today they have discovered a secondary issue - a software corruption issue.

I stated to them beforehand that a Mercedes garage mate of mine had said it could well be software issue.

The garage insisted a new screen would resolve the issue, so any advice would be really appreciated.

I don't know if they are taking the piss (I just believe they didn't diagnose it properly)

Can I refuse to pay for the original diagnosis and insist they only charge for the software issue?

I only have their word for it that it needed the new screen?

How shall I now come back to them if they want to bill me for the screen and the software fix?

Thanks
Click to expand...
Try John to see if there is a common issue they should have known about they should also be able to advise on what steps are available.
https://www.honestjohn.co.uk/askhj/
 
tolmie's hairdoo said:
I went to an independent Mercedes repair 'specialist' - main dealers make it up as they go along.
Click to expand...

Ah. Fair enough. Yeah they certainly do. Fuck that. But they sound similar. I bet the owner has a big gaff and decent cars himself.

I prefer private sales and my local mechanic, Taz, because I trust him to do a good job and do it at a fair price. I suppose this is the problem with modern hi-tech cars which are filled with superfluous, expensive shit, so it reminds me to avoid them for as long as possible and keep mine in good condition.

Get them to put it in writing, with part/serial numbers and do your own research on the issue as advised above and witness them trying it with the old screen.

Before smashing the doors in and torching the place, with your car in it. Obviously.
 
1.618034 said:

Ah. Fair enough. Yeah they certainly do. Fuck that. But they sound similar. I bet the owner has a big gaff and decent cars himself.

I prefer private sales and my local mechanic, Taz, because I trust him to do a good job and do it at a fair price. I suppose this is the problem with modern hi-tech cars which are filled with superfluous, expensive shit, so it reminds me to avoid them for as long as possible and keep mine in good condition.

Get them to put it in writing, with part/serial numbers and do your own research on the issue as advised above and witness them trying it with the old screen.

Before smashing the doors in and torching the place, with your car in it. Obviously.
Click to expand...

Thanks bud, I always go local but they don't have the Mercedes diagnostic tools to access the system on something like this.

The bloody thing drives itself most of the time.

They have now said it will be another £300 to fix the software now - unless I get the assurances I need, told them to put the old screen back in and I will pay them for their time.

They obviously don't want to be doing that, so using it to leverage the price down best I can.

Only four years old and 15k on the clock :(
 
crooky said:
This reminds me why I'm dreading getting a modern car.

Why would I want a £1000 computer in my car that does nothing to help me get anywhere faster or in more comfort and only seems to be a money pit.

Hopefully they put the original screen back in and it's working okay.
Click to expand...
Which is why I just bought a Mitsubishi with 7 years warranty.
In 7 years I'll get rid and do same again.
 
tolmie's hairdoo said:
I went to an independent Mercedes repair 'specialist' - main dealers make it up as they go along.
Click to expand...
tolmie's hairdoo said:
My garage stated it was a hardware problem with my car and diagnosed I needed a new screen display - £900 - which I could really do without right now - and it would be a day away at best.

Despite the new screen the problem still exists and they still retain my car after five days, now claiming today they have discovered a secondary issue - a software corruption issue.

I stated to them beforehand that a Mercedes garage mate of mine had said it could well be software issue.

The garage insisted a new screen would resolve the issue, so any advice would be really appreciated.

I don't know if they are taking the piss (I just believe they didn't diagnose it properly)

Can I refuse to pay for the original diagnosis and insist they only charge for the software issue?

I only have their word for it that it needed the new screen?

How shall I now come back to them if they want to bill me for the screen and the software fix?

Thanks
Click to expand...

I work for a main dealer at a similar brand and in my opinion they have definitely mis diagnosed the repair incorrectly. Your best bet is to go directly to Mercedes with your complaint.

Edited, didn't realise you went independent, independent garages can't usually do proper software updates, I've spent last 10 years working at an Audi dealer 7 as a senior tech and 3 running the workshop and trust me when I say you can get what you want from a main dealer if you use the right means.
 
Last edited:
1.618034 said:
Fuck main dealers. Rip-off merchants.
Click to expand...

Ha, I'm currently sat in the Honda dealer with a door lock issue. They'll be back their laughing their tits off at me and the four other women waiting on being ripped off too.
 
In case where parts needs to be changed I always buy them myself and demand them to give me the old ones in a Box. I advice anyone to do this. They usually pick up the items from the same sites you find them on, they just slap a bigger price tag on! Most shops will install your parts. It's the time they use to put it in they make the most off!
 
Mezrah said:
In case where parts needs to be changed I always buy them myself and demand them to give me the old ones in a Box. I advice anyone to do this. They usually pick up the items from the same sites you find them on, they just slap a bigger price tag on! Most shops will install your parts. It's the time they use to put it in they make the most off!
Click to expand...

I do this with most every repair. Had a water pressure valve issue at my home. A friend diagnosed it for me but couldn't do the replacement.

Went to the hardware store and purchased the part I needed. Rang a plumbing service and they quoted me 600 for parts and labour. Told them I had the replacement part already, the woman said in that case it is 100.

The part cost me 50 at the hardware store. My mate who diagnosed the problem has a cousin that is a plumber. He said charging 10x-15× for parts is standard practice!
 
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