Mercedes benz Main dealership service history - Penalised if not using them....?!?

[jcs995]

Hi R0b

So I visited my local Mercedes Benz dealership today and during the conversation the sales exec brought to light that if I do not have my vehicle serviced by Mercedes they will seek to recover the cost for the serving if I choose to hand the vehicle back...this is looking to be quite hefty and nearing approx £1,000!??! I have had 2 services done now by F1 Auto centres, who I presume use genuine parts. My Agility agreement (PCP) states the following... "The vehicle must be serviced and maintained in accordance with the manufacturer's published service intervals within the Approved Workshop network"

Can someone advise? My thoughts are that if it is being serviced by a third party but they are using genuine parts, it doesn't void the warranty and therefore should be ok....

thank you, James

[R0b]

Hi James,

Really it is up to you whether you want to proceed with the agreement or not. Its a standard term for most major dealerships but as you say, if the parts are genuine then why do you have to go through one of their approved workshop networks? It is possible that the restriction might be considered an unfair contract term but that would be up to a court to decide. A fairer rendition of that clause might say something along the lines of being repaired by a reputable garage who uses genuine parts.

Nonetheless, even if you VT your liability is limited to 50% of the total amount payable. the definition of total price explicitly excludes the recovery of monies relating to compensation, penalty charges or damages for breach of the agreement (which is what you would be doing if you went elsewhere). I've never seen Mercedes look to claim for not having the car serviced at one of their approved workshops other than attempts to claim excess mileage which I should add that you might want to overcompensate on the annual mileage or you might be in for a rough time should you VT at some point.

[jcs995]

Thanks R0b , so if I VT the agreement, the penalty for not having the vehicle serviced via Mercedes is excluded and they cannot recover that money as its not included within the 50% of the total amount payable... I am looking in to amending my current mileage as I will most likely be going over this.