At one time spark plugs had to be changed, points adjusted and carburettors tuned: not now. It does seem largely a filter and fluids check and change. But the MOT is different: they don’t check if oil filter has been changed, you have to do that.

But a fsh from a main dealer or approved agent is important. Not just during warranty period but after if you want to claim for a defect that should not have occurred within 6 years. It’s not impossible but I think that then you then have to prove servicing to manufactures requirements. Invoice for oil change at x,000 miles does not prove correct oil was used.

My SLK is probably older than yours and I take it to a well respected Mercedes specialist.

He will only change what is neccessary at each 'service'. For instance he checks the coolant and the brake fluid and only changes it if it falls below a certain value. Last time he didn't change the combination or air filter, but he has done so previously.

Of course the engine oil and filter are always changed regardless of mileage (it's my fun car so it only does about 3000 miles a year with no short journeys). No doubt John F would say that this is not neccessary.

But if you are maintaining a MB warranty and/or service record, keep taking it to the dealer.

All depends whats needed, Merc's service schedules seem designed to confuse.

Toyota had the right regime (have no idea if this is still the case), service based on 9000 miles or annual, alternate major and minor services, basically a minor is an oil change and inspection, a major would be the same plus other filters and change all the diff and gearbox oils (on a 4x4 thats quite a lot) plus strip the brakes clean and lube them correctly, with cambelt at 90k miles.

I would suggest whatever else you have done make sure the brakes get serviced properly following the amount of salt that was put on the roads this winter, and depending on how long since, if ever, maybe its time for coolant, brake fluid and transmission fluid changes.

Also, and i assume here the parking brake is still manual and foot operated drum inside disc, i've seen what can happen inside those drums, unless you (from day one) apply the parking brake gently once in a while rust will build up on the drum face, this them rubs contantly on the brake shoes and can lead to large grooves being worn in said shoes, so if someone is going to check and lube the brakes up properly, it only takes another half an hour to remove the rear calipers and then the discs to check the parking brake shoes...if your car has an electric or other parking brake (i'm not up to speed on new Mercs) then ignore this last paragraph even more than the prior :-)

I've averaged about £700 a year in maintenance costs these last 4 years

Just for one car? It certainly saves to do it yourself. My average over the last 4 yrs for three cars, Audi A8 (12yrs old), Ford Focus (17), TR7 (38), is £315 per annum. that's for all three, not each. Including MoTs. Not including licence or insurance.

Biggest bill in last 4yrs was a new fuel pump and filter for the Focus - £250.

1) MOT -ensuring that all advisables are usually done .

Not criticising what you have said but looked up the MOT history of a car on autotrader. Had an advisory for brake discs for 3 MOTs and no fail. Low mileage but at least first seems rather too cautious, costing owner unnecessary expense.