Merc A series, brakes failing

crkcvnirl

Hi All,
A buddy of mine has an automatic 'A' series from new, 172 reg. In the past few months the brakes have started failing/not working. This has happened at least twice while driving on road and once while on the driveway in front of house. Thankfully no accidents.

Car went back to dealer who claims they checked it top to bottom and changed some unspecified electronic part. Within a couple of weeks same thing happened and back to the dealer and it's still with them 4 weeks later.

Anyone come across anything like this before?

Thanks

Zubeneschamali

https://www.dft.gov.uk/vosa/apps/recalls/searches/expand.asp?uniqueID=F73AED52608B0880802581390042BC25&freeText=Blank&tx=

That's a recall for brake issues on the A class from 2017.

Alanstrainor

Given how new the car is, and the severity of the failure. I wouldn't accept it back from the dealer without a fault being found and fixed. The recall above looks probable.

crkcvnirl

Thanks guys for your responses. The brake failure recall was never mentioned.



The dealer still has the motor and claim that Merc HQ can't find anything wrong. Any suggestions how to deal with the dealer?


Thanks

Zubeneschamali

crkcvnirl wrote: »

The dealer still has the motor and claim that Merc HQ can't find anything wrong. Any suggestions how to deal with the dealer?

Call and say the car is unsafe - if Mercedes really cannot fix it, you'll accept a 182 in exchange, kthxbye.

crkcvnirl

Zubeneschamali wrote: »

Call and say the car is unsafe - if Mercedes really cannot fix it, you'll accept a 182 in exchange, kthxbye.

Thanks for that. Motor is certainly not fit for purpose.

Zubeneschamali

crkcvnirl wrote: »

Thanks for that. Motor is certainly not fit for purpose.

Expect some waffle - tell them you'll be sending a solicitor's letter to the dealer and and Merc HQ.

Zubeneschamali

Have the owners the use of a loaner? Rental car - if not, threaten the dealer with that too, you'll be hiring a Mercedes and billing them.

mullingar

Zubeneschamali wrote: »

https://www.dft.gov.uk/vosa/apps/recalls/searches/expand.asp?uniqueID=F73AED52608B0880802581390042BC25&freeText=Blank&tx=

That's a recall for brake issues on the A class from 2017.

No, that alert was published in 2017, it refers to 2011-2013 cars listed

Toyotafanboi

Zubeneschamali wrote: »

Have the owners the use of a loaner? Rental car - if not, threaten the dealer with that too, you'll be hiring a Mercedes and billing them.

How would that work? Just stroll into Enterprise, tell them you want a Merc and bill it to Merc HQ please? Yeah, probably not a runner in reality.

Best thing to do IMO seeing as the car is still with the dealer is to say you aren't comfortable taking it back as it has happened them a few times and it's a safety concern for yourself and you'd rather they keep test driving it, even after hours if necessary.

We often get scenarios like this in work with painfully intermittent issues and if we can't find them during a day visit but the customer is adamant they are happening, all we can do is fill the car with fuel and give it to a mechanic to drive, indefinitely, until it happens. 9 times out of 10 you will find it.

What is the nature of the problem? Is the brake pedal to hard? Too soft? Normal but not slowing the car down?

Atlantic Dawn

Get them to put in writing they can find no issue with it. You may find a more thorough inspection if they need to document the brakes as safe.

crkcvnirl

Thanks all for your replies, much appreciated.