Mercedes E class MOT failure <sob>

footman

footman

footman

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21 Oct 2002
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Just had a failure on my 12 year old E class 220 CDi.
Repair immediately (major defects)
Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength Nearside Rear (forward arm mount on subframe) [5.3.6 (a) (i) ]
Fellow at Kwikfit said that the tester described it as "a little hole"
I've got no idea what any of this means, I've contacted my Merc mechanic who visits at home for advice, just hoping it's not the death of my lovely old motor!
 
andy_mk3 said:
Real common problem on these Mercs. I think it will be a good idea to contact the local dealer as I've heard of a lot of them being replaced under goodwill.
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Yeah that gen of E class was a basket case of issues from what I've heard in the pub (i.e. don't hold me to it!!)
 
Can confirm my 2009 E350 had the full rear subframe replaced last Xmas due to a small hole, that wasn't picked up on MOT. But was picked up 2 weeks later when it had a service.

My local Merc dealer said Merc will do under it as a gesture of goodwill cos the car had always been serviced by Mercedes :D We all know thats crap though.

I did hear all the ones in America was being recalled and replaced free.

Call up you local Merc centre and see what they say !
 
What he's failed it for "Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength Nearside Rear (forward arm mount on subframe) [5.3.6 (a) (i) ]" would usually be a fail for within 30cm of mounting points ie where suspension components mount to the body of the car and not the subframe itself.
This would be for the subframe..

VCEssmD.png


If the subframe has corroded and holed, then Merc will replace it under warranty (I've failed loads of them when I worked for Mercedes and also where I work now).
This is one from a few months ago..

Q2H0cXu.jpg


The rear arm completely detatches itself from the subframe, giving interesting handling characteristics :eek:
 
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JonRGV250 said:
What he's failed it for "Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength Nearside Rear (forward arm mount on subframe) [5.3.6 (a) (i) ]" would usually be a fail for within 30cm of mounting points ie where suspension components mount to the body of the car and not the subframe itself.
This would be for the subframe..

VCEssmD.png


If the subframe has corroded and holed, then Merc will replace it under warranty (I've failed loads of them when I worked for Mercedes and also where I work now).
This is one from a few months ago..

Q2H0cXu.jpg


The rear arm completely detatches itself from the subframe, giving interesting handling characteristics :eek:
Click to expand...
Thanks for that, very comprehensive. I've been doing some research this afternoon and it seems it's not going to be covered by any warranty. The Mercedes Anti-Corrosion Warranty only covers perforation originating inside the structure, ie the bodywork and does not appear to cover the subframe. Also that warranty only applies if every service has been carried out by a Merc main dealer, since 2020 mine have been carried out by a Mercedes approved workshop.

As @MadMan-JaMeS has suggested I'm going to have to make a goodwill request. Little did I know this is a well known problem with some models, in fact there is a class action law suit proceeding in the States right now. It seem that before the W212 E class the subframes were made of aluminium and from the W212 onwards were made of an inferior quality pressed steel from the Far East. I'm going to wait for my Merc mechanic to give it a thorough inspection before I tackle the Merc dealership. I don't know whether I should be driving it or not.
 
I've sent quite a few of our customers (with their cars that I've failed on the MOT for this issue) to Mercedes and regardless of service history, the subframe has been replaced.
I'd be very very suprised if they don't replace it for you.
Please let us now how you get on.
 
JonRGV250 said:
I've sent quite a few of our customers (with their cars that I've failed on the MOT for this issue) to Mercedes and regardless of service history, the subframe has been replaced.
I'd be very very suprised if they don't replace it for you.
Please let us now how you get on.
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Is this an issue on the C207 E350 too?

Not that I haven't bought one like a week ago... :rolleyes:
 
footman said:
From my reading of it I could continue to drive it until the current certificate runs out on the 11th January, of course I could have totally misread it....
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No, while it does technically have a valid MOT, it also has a dangerous fault, which means it's not legal to drive (section 40a of the road traffic act).
 
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The report doesn't say it's dangerous "only" that it's major and needs immediate repair. I wish it were clearer although I don't want to drive it except to the dealership.
 
JonRGV250 said:
Not that I've seen, but that's not to say it's ok.
It'll take 5 minutes on a ramp to check, but do get someone who knows what they're looking for, as early signs are easy to miss.
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I believe it is. Or at least it's heading that way with mine according to Mercedes (2011 c207 350cdi). They've also suggested they'll sort it out when the time comes. We'll see!
 
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