Should you buy a Mercedes Benz extended warranty?
By
Vroomouk
This blog will answer the following questions: should you buy a Mercedes Benz extended warranty? Does Mercedes Benz really need an extended warranty? What are the benefits of the Mercedes Benz extended warranty?
Should you buy a Mercedes Benz extended warranty?
Yes, it is a great idea to buy a Mercedes Benz extended warranty. Mercedes Benz provides a standard warranty of 2-3 years in most international markets. In America, it can be up to 5 years. There is no limit on the mileage of the vehicle.
An extended warranty comes into effect when the standard warranty period is over. Customers must purchase an extended warranty package or select an advanced assurance program before the standard warranty period is over.
Once the vehicle goes outside of the standard warranty then it is not possible to buy the extended warranty from a Mercedes Benz dealership. There are many third-party options available in the market for extended warranties but none of them is worth it. The third-party extended warranties only cover selected components in the vehicle while the Mercedes Benz extended warranty will cover both mechanical and electrical faults in the vehicle.
All customers need to do is report to an authorised dealership and a technician will diagnose the fault and identify the part required to rectify the concern. The dealership raises a technical product report and the old part is either sent back to Mercedes-Benz or it is destroyed. After the TPR claim is submitted, Mercedes-Benz experts located in key areas will access the fault and approve the warranty.
The extended warranty comes in the following three packages
- Only 4th year
- 4th and 5th year
- 4th,5th and 6th year
The extended warranty can be transferred to the new owner if the vehicle is sold or the existing owner can choose to opt out of the extended warranty provided the vehicle is still in the standard warranty period.
Currently, Mercedes Benz is only offering extended warranty on passenger cars in the global as well as domestic markets. Commercial vehicle extended warranty plans are limited to European markets.
Does Mercedes Benz really need an extended warranty?
No, Mercedes Benz cars don’t really need an extended warranty, buying an extended warranty is optional and customers can choose to purchase it before the factory warranty period is over. Mercedes Benz cars are reliable and last a really long time without any major breakdowns but as the technology in the latest models is increasing the possibility of the electrical malfunction is also present.
Mercedes Benz parts are expensive and the labour is among the highest in the industry. If there are any electrical issues in the vehicle that require parts like a new control unit or an electrical wiring harness then the repair cost can easily exceed 1000 $ depending on the nature of the fault.
The main battery in the vehicle is not covered under the extended warranty. If there is a malfunction in the onboard electrical system of the vehicle due to a defective battery, the customer will be required to pay for the cost of the new battery and labour charges.
Likewise, Mercedes Benz uses multi-link suspension systems in their passenger cars.
The multi-link suspension is made up of link rods, chamber and thrust arms and lower control arms. All the suspension components are supported by rubber bearings. These rubber bearings can wear out if the vehicle is operated on bad roads very frequently.
Extended warranty plans do not cover the cost of support or rubber bearings, if there is abnormal noise from the ball joint then the complete control arm can be claimed under warranty. However, if the bushings are worn out, then the warranty claim can be rejected.
An extended warranty is good in case of mechanical faults like excessive vibrations from the drivetrains or abnormal noise from the engine. As the engine is mounted with the help of engine mounts connected to the front axle carrier, the engine mount gets weaker over time. Weak engine mounts transfer the noise and vibration from the engine to the entire body of the vehicle. The noise levels inside the passenger cabin can increase significantly.
The engine mounts can be replaced under the extended warranty if the customer complains of excessive noise and vibrations present in the vehicle.
Apart from the extended warranty, if a customer buys a spare part on a chargeable basis then Mercedes Benz gives a parts warranty for the following durations:
- 12-months, unlimited mileage
- 24 months or 24,000 miles for transmissions
- 48 months or 50,000 miles for engine and long blocks (same coverage as for a new Mercedes-Benz)
What are the benefits of the Mercedes Benz extended warranty?
The benefits of purchasing a Mercedes Benz extended warranty are as follows:
- Mercedes Benz Genuine parts
As Mercedes Benz extended warranty is offered by authorised dealerships, they need to submit proof of repairs in order to settle the warranty claims. Only genuine parts are used for repair and evidence is collected in the form of pictures or reports throughout the complete repair process.
It is important to note that a part warranty cannot be claimed on an existing part that has already been replaced under the warranty. Part warranty on components like battery and fuse boxes can be rejected if the mileage of the vehicle from the date of repairs is very low.
- Part and labour
All the cost of genuine parts and the labour required for the repair job is covered under the extended warranty. Once the warranty claim is settled, the warranty officer in the dealership informs the technician to proceed with the repairs. Mercedes Benz uses a flat rate system to calculate the labour of the repair job. All the flat rates are provided in the system called ASRA.
- No hidden payments
If the extended warranty is purchased from the authorised dealership then there are no additional payments required to claim the warranty on any part. The cost of labour along with the spare part is completely covered.
- Authorised repairs
All the repairs are performed at the authorised service centres and by certified technicians. The customer concern is first verified and after following the standard diagnosis procedure the car is returned to the customer. A warranty claim is only raised when the cause of the fault is identified and after repairs; the vehicle is thoroughly tested to check if the fault is successfully rectified.
- No limits on claim
There are no limits on how many times a warranty claim is raised from the dealership. The main objective is to diagnose the fault so that it does not occur. Any consequential parts that are damaged due to the faulty part are also replaced under the extended warranty.
Other articles about Mercedes Benz you may be interested in
What to do if a Mercedes window won’t go up?
Which power steering fluid is used in the Mercedes Benz ML 350?
Is Mercedes Benz considered a luxury brand?
Conclusion
Mercedes Benz extended warranty is a great program. Customers have the flexibility to choose the extended warranty plans according to 4, 5, and 6 years since the initial date of registration. Mercedes Benz cars are reliable but purchasing an extended warranty plan brings peace of mind and ensures the longevity of the vehicle.
