Mercedes-Benz E-Class Estate - Mercedes Fault Code Advice

Honest John Back Room » Technical matters
View Threaded
Sat 23 Aug 2014 19:37
Mercedes-Benz E-Class Estate - Mercedes Fault Code Advice - gileshe1

My first time here so be gentle!

I have a 60-Reg E200 which I bought from a decent garage (but not a MB dealership). The first 2 services were with MB dealerships and the latest (just before I bought it) was with the selling garage (using MB original parts etc.). The car has done 36,000 miles.

The other day a fault light came up on the dashboard and for a while it both did not seem to be changing up gears and also clunked when changing from P to D. I took it to a garage I have used a lot and they ran a diagnostic (for the princely sum of £90) which has come up as P1731 and the car apparently needs a new Mechatronic Valve (total cost incl parts and labour £1,800). The car is not long out of MB warranty and this seems an enormous repair for such a young vehicle.

I have been advised to approach MB customer service which I have done and they said before they can consider a goodwill gesture I will have to have the fault diagnosed at a MB dealership (at £120 per hour) presumably to tell me the same thing that we already know. They have also hinted that as one of the services was not at a MB delaership then any goodwill gesture that they might consider could be affected by this. However, the guy was very friendly on the phone!

The car has now been booked into a MB dealership in 2 weeks time however today the warning light has gone off and the car seems to be driving fine with gears changing ok and no clunking when changing from P to D.

My question is should I still proceed with the MB diagnostic with associated cost (so that they could consider a goodwill gesture) or is this some kind of problem that can actually disappear???

Any comments gratefully received.

Edited by gileshe1 on 23/08/2014 at 19:40

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sun 24 Aug 2014 10:23
Mercedes-Benz E-Class Estate - Mercedes Fault Code Advice - elekie&a/c doctor
Expensive repairs just outside the warranty period are becoming more common on modern cars with over complicated technology.I would let MB investigate the fault for the record.A failure of this type is unacceptable on a car of this age.Unfortunately I don,t think the problem will self heal.
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sun 24 Aug 2014 10:43
Mercedes-Benz E-Class Estate - Mercedes Fault Code Advice - gordonbennet

Pity that third service wasn't done at MB as that would have made declining goodwill more embarrasing for them.

I too would get it diagnosed at MB, they might still come up with goodwill, they'll probably check typical service items to ensure they really are MB parts.

If they won't entertain goodwill there are many excellent MB specialist indy workshops dotted around the country where you could get any repairs (and future servicing?) done properly, and where fixing what has failed instead of chucking new parts on willy nilly is standard practice.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sun 24 Aug 2014 11:00
Mercedes-Benz E-Class Estate - Mercedes Fault Code Advice - Cyd

As a first step, have you at least checked the gearbox oil level? Assuming it can be checked, of course.

Also, you haven't given us any indication of how long you've had the car.

You might be entitled to approach the selling garage for a repair under warranty.

That independant service might well have put the kibosh on any goodwill. Something that should not be overlooked by any buyer when considering any car that is aged around its warranty expiry.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Mon 25 Aug 2014 22:48
Mercedes-Benz E-Class Estate - Mercedes Fault Code Advice - gileshe1

Thanks to those who have responded. 4 days now and no reappearance of fault light. Still can't decide what to do! The thought of £120 for diagnostic check at MB dealership when no fault light is showing is annoying to say the least!

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Mon 25 Aug 2014 22:52
Mercedes-Benz E-Class Estate - Mercedes Fault Code Advice - daveyjp
An independent with STAR system will do a check for you. Merecedes forums will advise on a good one near you. May be worth joining a forum and posting your fault as there are independents on there who may assist,
Reply | Report as offensive | Link

10 warranty myths exposed

Here’s how to sort the fact from the fiction when it comes to car warranties.

Cheap Car Warranties

We give you the low down on how to save on insurance, little-known tricks and tips, what insurance groups mean and how to use insurance aggregators to beat insurers.

Insurance group finder and how to save on insurance