I wrote to Mercedes-Benz Canada to see what the warranty situation is when travelling in the USA.
Answer:
Quote:
Please note since MBUSA does
not offer the B-Class in their market, the warranty coverage applies only
within Canada. Subsequently, if you plan to operate your vehicle is the
USA, service facilities, work instructions and replacement parts are not
available. Should you require repairs and/or emergency roadside assistance
while travelling in the US, the cost of the repairs/roadside assistance
would be at your expense. Mercedes-Benz Canada does not offer
reimbursement for US repairs
Pretty damned shabby. I hope I don't have any problems when on the road to CA in August! I think I will follow up on this with the head office. The "no refund" policy seems absurdly punitive to me.
Interestingly, page 30 of the Warranty and Service Information booklet for the B-Class states that roadside assistance does indeed exist in the Continental USA, and is fully reimbursible in Canada.
I wrote an "interesting" email back, we'll see what comes of it.
The warranty is good throughout the USA with no problem. That is no more problem than at your local dealer.
Any parts are shipped to the USA dealer directly from Canada for any repairs. However since they are two separate companies (MB USA and MB Canada) dealers can not bill MB directly for any car sold outside of their sales area. This stops the so called grey market, for example Sony Canada will not repair a Sony product imported by a third company.
The only problem is the owner has to pay for all repairs up front ( not the best thing when on holidays ) and then submit a bill to the local dealer on your return home. I would imagine that the repayment would take a long time as does any insurance claim. Just make sure you do not charge everything on a high interest credit card.
So Bill, where did you get that information? The dealer is not the administrator of the warranty, M-B Canada is.
Seeing as m information came directly from Erin Somerville at M-B Canada, I would think that the quote I posted above represents the "official" position. Certainly the Warranty/Service booklet that comes with the B-Cclass is fairly clear that warranty service is simply not available in the USA. Officially. Somerville goes a step further in the email and says in effect "and we won't pay out under warranty for any repairs that had to be performed in the USA".
I cannot see how a manufacturer can legally (certainly not morally) say where a warranty is valid, especially in adjoining countries.
If a car breaks down within it's specified mileage or warranty period it should be repaired regardless.
If I found this to be the case with any manufacturer I bought a car from it would be the last they would ever see of my custom and I feel that those of you in Canada should point this out to M/B Canada in no uncertain terms.
I would like to see a court ruling on the legality of this issue.
M/B you should be named & shamed on this one.
Let's hear it from the proverbial horse's mouth. Nadine, what has been you experience with any warranty coverage on your B? Any problems with warranty claims?
FROM MERCEDES USA – When a car brought in from another country is registered in the US the warranty is 2 years or 24,000 miles. When a car from the US goes to another country the warranty coverts to what ever that country’s warranty is.
The US dealers can do routine service but anything that requires a computer or any B specific items would require a Canadian dealership for help. They can not buy any parts from Germany they would have to be ordered from a Canadian dealership.
When I bought my car the center console rings squeaked pretty badly so they took it in as a warranty issue. Fixing squeaks on this car is no different than any other Mercedes so it was no big deal however they did have to contact MB corporate to confirm this and they said that they would have to do this with any other warranty issue repairs.
The difference between her car and ours is we would have to be claiming against the Canadian warranty from London ON.
I have it in writing that a Canadian-registered B-Class that requires warranty work (or even the "free roadside assistance" our booklet describes) is pay-as-you-go and not compensable from M-B Canada once we return.
Honestly, this is shitty service, something I would normally expect of a French manufacturer in North America (though I must say Peugeot's warranty was fabulous - covering the car beyond the 80,000 km limit - when they were still here). Surely M-B Canada and M-B USA could have worked a little reciprocity out for the 8000+ Canadians who drive a B-Class.
Yeesh!
BTW, my dealer indicates that they would be able to send parts internationally to assist with a breakdown anywhere. I only wish the head office had some decent customer service too.
Prior to buying a car that is not available in the USA I was not worried about coverage, but only parts availability. I talked to the sales rep, sales manager and service manager and was assured that I was covered. the service manager did admit that it sometimes took a long time to get a refund of money. He also hinted that repairs might take a long time if parts were needed. I travel with no fear.
If anyone is worried about the reliability of their auto and any warranty problems, I would suggest they stay home. Besides I am sure Nadine would find a place to sleep in her garage for any stranded Canuk!
If anyone is worried about the reliability of their auto and any warranty problems, I would suggest they stay home. Besides I am sure Nadine would find a place to sleep in her garage for any stranded Canuk!
Bill
gotta warn you though…there's a bunch of Ducks memorabilia in there
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