Mercedes E class MOT failure <sob>
- Thread starter footman
- Start date
Well the saga is now over, the new subframe has been fitted and I collected the car this morning. The bill for the "extras" came to £180 for nuts and bolts but also included a new MOT so I'm not complaining.
Compared to some other peoples experiences I'm quite satisfied in the way Mercedes Farnborough service people handled the whole issue while Mercedes themselves need a kick up the backside for being cheapskates and using sub-standard pressed steel for their subframes instead of the more expensive aluminium ones they used to fit.
Thanks to all on here who have made comments that have been useful to me.
Compared to some other peoples experiences I'm quite satisfied in the way Mercedes Farnborough service people handled the whole issue while Mercedes themselves need a kick up the backside for being cheapskates and using sub-standard pressed steel for their subframes instead of the more expensive aluminium ones they used to fit.
Thanks to all on here who have made comments that have been useful to me.
Soldato
Not a bad outcome really! Glad it's all done 
The subframe replacements weren’t as such warranty but “good will” by the manufacturer.
Basically, they know it was a problem, but not so much so that they had an official recall program.
It’s extremely common for manufacturer's to do this.
Basically, they know it was a problem, but not so much so that they had an official recall program.
It’s extremely common for manufacturer's to do this.
If they do it as goodwill VOSA will often not instruct them to issue a recall. There are likely dozens if not hundreds of affected vehicles that haven't been back to Mercedes and have been welded or even scrapped.
‘Too Dangerous to Drive’: 2010-2022 Mercedes-Benz Models Plagued by Rear Subframe Rust Defect, Class Action Says
A proposed class action alleges a number of 2010-2022 model year Mercedes-Benz vehicles have subframes that can prematurely rust or corrode “from the inside out."
www.classaction.org
Merc UK are known to be unpredictable over whether they offer a goodwill FOC replacement for corroded subframes, USA and Canada have class actions in progress but strangely Mercedes Canada did issue a recall in 2022 for corroded subframes for specific vehicles.
Transport Canada Recall - 2021772 - MERCEDES-BENZ - Canada.ca
AFAIK the subframe is made from pressed steel but I don't think that in itself is the problem.
The issue seems to be twofold, firstly the quality of the steel has been called into question and also the quality of any rust proofing is being criticized.