Mercedes artico leather seats splitting/cracking

[jjp35]

Hi,

 

I need your advice on the issue I am having with Mercedes-Benz.

 

My ML Artico Leather car seats cover has started splitting on the both front seats which we noticed when it was 4.5 years old, it may have started long before.

 

I have been trying to get Mercedes to repair them FREE for last 8 months. I have complained to Mercedes Head office but keep getting the standard reply from them.

 

Mercedes is saying that the car is out of warranty but as a goodwill gesture they will contribute 50% of the cost of repair.

 

They also say that If I am unhappy with their decision I should contact Motor Ombudsman.

 

I feel that seats on the £45K car should not fall apart in such short time.

 

Has anyone had the same experience?

 

What does the complain to Motor Ombudsman involves and How long will this take?

 

If I take this matter further

 

I have been emailing Mercedes Customer services, should I complain to the Mercedes dealer I bought from?

 

Is my claim against Mercedes Benz dealer or Mercedes Benz Company?

 

I purchased the car from Mercedes Benz Retail, Ealing.

 

What are my rights which says goods should last 6 years?

 

Any advice will be appreciated

 

Thanks

[dx100uk]

there is no longer any 6yrs rule like under sOGA

 

its now the CRA...

 

however, I would take the 50% offer and run with it.

 

it would be very difficult to prove it is not wear n tear

and would certainly not be covered by any warranty anyway.

 

dx

[BankFodder]

I tend to agree with the above except that if you were able to get an expert report – and preferably two of them to say that the deterioration the seats was some inherent defect then you could consider making a complaint.

 

However, if the seats are worth £45,000 then you would be looking at a court claim far greater than the small claims limit which would leave you liable to a risk of costs if you lost.

 

However, 4 1/2 years seats in a very high quality vehicle to start showing the kind of wear you seem to be referring to certainly seems to be a very short amount of time.

 

I'm sure that if Mercedes advertise their cars and part of the claims were that you wouldn't have to replace your seats for at least 4 1/2 years, I don't expect they would sell any.

[CraigMcK]

I think the car was £45k, not just the seats

However the age of the car is only one part, the mileage is a significant factor to wear. If the car has done say above 100k, then that may be deemed to be reasonable.

 

While trying not to be rude, heavier set drivers also tend to stretch the seat, especially getting in and out, so the door side gets the most damage.

 

Were you the first owner?

[disgruntled2007]

As above, how much do you weigh and how many miles has the car done?

[BankFodder]

I think the car was £45k, not just the seats

 

[jjp35]

We bought the car from new.

 

It was about 43000 miles when we noticed the fault. My wife is the main user of the car and she is about 56Kg, and I drive at the weekends and I weigh about 80kg.

 

The ML is made in USA, where generally people have bigger build.

 

The seats should last longer than this.

[CraigMcK]

With so few miles I think you would have some scope. However as the car is potentially at half life I think the 50% deal is not too bad, you may be able to push them a little more, but I don't think you would get a warranty replacement for a car of that age.

 

What does 50% represent by way of cost, you may be able to get them done by a specialist for less?

[jjp35]

50% is about £460 ( total estimate was £920).

Edited March 8, 2018 by dx100uk
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