Mercedes Benz is Monopolizing Many Common Repairs - Unfair to Auto Repair Shops and Consumers

HILLSBOROUGH, Fla. - March 21, 2015 - PRLog -- Mercedes Benz has been blocking consumers and auto repair shops from buying parts that are considered a part of the anti-theft systems.  This is creating a monopoly for Mercedes Benz forcing thousands to the Mercedes dealer for certain repairs.  Many newer Mercedes Benz incorporate many important mechanical parts into the anti-theft systems.  This creates unwanted problems for consumers on many levels and is unfair to the auto repair shops and consumers.

Owning an auto repair shop in Tampa, Guy’s Automotive knows first-hand how customers are not happy about these unfair practices.  Customers may need an ignition switch, key, transmission, engine computer or other computer modules as a normal wear and tear repair just like other makes have.  The difference is that Mercedes-Benz USA / Daimler AG has monopolized these repairs forcing thousands of consumers to have to take repairs into the dealership.  Many auto repair shops all over the US have lost thousands of dollars and customers are not very happy about spending the extra money at the dealer.  These customers usually do not want to go to the dealer for repairs and this is why they choose the independent repair shops.  Making these repairs a monopoly is against the law so hopefully lawyers and lawmakers will get these matters resolved soon.

Anti-theft systems should be only to keep someone from stealing your car.  Auto repair shops and consumers should have the right to buy any part for their car / their customers’ car.  A transmission repair should not be a part of the anti-theft system, however when installing a valve body, the vehicle is completely locked down on many newer models forcing the car to the Mercedes dealership.  A few other auto makers incorporate technology like reprogramming the computer to match the vehicle however; most of these vehicles can still be repaired at an independent shop as long as they are equipped for reprogramming the chosen make.  Mercedes Benz has been deceptive to the laws and is getting away with forcing these reprogramming techniques to be performed at their dealerships.

Another problem that happens frequently is the price gouging for older Mercedes Benz vehicles.  If you own a Mercedes that is say 15 years old or older and need an ignition switch, they force you to the dealer ship to buy an ignition switch module.  Often times other parts have been updated so by the time you purchase everything you need to get the simple problem fixed, you will probably exceed the value of your vehicle just to get it running again.  Our auto repair shop experienced a situation where a customer with a 98 Mercedes 300d would not start. The vehicle appeared in excellent shape.  The customer either had a choice of basically hacking some a used computer and ignition switch to get the car running but having no way to replace the ignition key with this option or taking the car to the dealer.  He purchased a key and ignition switch module that did not get the car running.  The Mercedes dealer advised him that a steering lock module would be necessary.  He reluctantly agreed and this did not get the car running.  The dealership wanted to sell him a new computer and perform more diagnostic work which would greatly exceed the value of the car.  This particular customer had to pay them a bill and take the car home not running still.

The repairs are only as good as the mechanic.  A Mercedes dealership faces what all auto shop owners and consumers face daily, a quality mechanic.  Just because a person takes the car to a Mercedes dealership, does not ensure the technician is capable of seeking the problem and accurately diagnosing the car.  A dealership will stand behind the technician whether they are right or wrong and most service writers would never be able to tell if a diagnosis even sounds right.  Any customer that experiences this will surely be frustrated and probably will spend more money on a repair that should have been spent.

Independent shops should have equal rights to be able to perform the same repairs as the dealerships.  This ensures fairness to customers and technicians to get cars repaired right.  Knowing what I know about auto mechanics, some of the best auto mechanics do not work at dealerships.  The best auto mechanics will stay on a job and get it figured out just to know they figured it out.  Taking part purchases and software away from these elite mechanics hurt auto owners and frustrate auto repair shops that specialize in repairing cars right.  Licensed auto repair shops do not like to take cars to the dealerships for programming or other repairs that they could have had done cheaper and made a profit.

Please visit http://guysautomotive.com or http://mercedesrepairtampa.com for auto repair information on Mercedes Benz and more.