neweramike

So last week I had my car towed to my dealer for service. Since the car wouldn't start. As of today it has been in the shop for 8 days.

I am 23 years old an I leased a new 2015 C-300. My parents don't pay for my vehicles I do. I was told prior to signing my lease agreement that I would receive a Mercedes loaner when I have my vehicle serviced at the dealer or I would receive a different brand of car if they didn't have any more Mercedes loaners which I can totally understand.

So last week when I was told to step over to the transportation window to get a loaner the transportation manager looked at my ID and said "We have a problem. I can't give you a Mercedes loaner because you are under 25, but I can give you a Nissan." I said, "Really!" He said that's their policy. I said what ok since I didn't have time to argue with him because I had to leave to make it to school for an exam.

I later found out that the dealer owns both the Mercedes loaners and the Nissan loner. They are bother insured under the same name. On the replacement vehicle agreement it even says I have to be over 25. So from my understanding they broke their own policy to give me a Nissan loaner.

I don't think it's right that I am discriminated against based on my age. I paid for my new vehicle at your dealership and your telling me that I can't use the same brand of car that I pay for since I'm under 25. I guess they shouldn't sell me a $50,000+ car at their dealer until I am 25.

ManiacGT

I'd love to be sympathetic, I really would...

MASSC450

Same here...1st world problem for sure.

As my father once told me:

"2nd class driving is better than 1st class walking"

neweramike

I'm still glad that they gave me a loaner but just want'ed to see if anyone else had the same problem. It's not like I'm 16 and going to beat the **** out of the car. But what ever.

equetefue

Same policy at my dealership. I'm 38 so it didn't impact me, but pisses me off. 18+ years is good enough to join the military, yet you can buy alcohol or drive a loaner.

hans007

I had an Audi dealer give me a yaris once because they only give Audi loaners to people who bought from them (the pos Audi drive train broke and it was the closest dealer). Probably the worst car I've ever driven

I was a little annoyed by that but yeah these are not things to let bother you in life in the end. Hope they fix your car and you get to enjoy it soon. You are a 23 year old with a w205, be happy

mikbar2

I'm curious what's wrong with your car that it's still in the shop after 8 days. I also agree that if your old enough to buy their product you should be old enough to reap the benny's. I too was old enough to serve in Viet Nam but not old enough to buy a beer if it makes you feel any better.

MASSC450

I hear you...your service could be a heck of a lot worse, like owning a Chrysler/Jeep for instance. The three Chrysler/Jeep dealerships I've been to over the past year don't even offer loaners, unless you bought an extended warranty.

Driver5

I agree, but then at the same time the premium on a insurance policy under the age of 25 will cost more and on average the typical merc driver is not under 25 so it wont be cost effect.

Its just policy at the end of the day and by the sounds of it they did you a favour giving you some wheels rather than shanks pony.

floridadriver

Mike, I understand, I think it's silly. MB cashed YOUR check and knew your age. It's not about safety, but putting a buck before a customer. I never had loaner issue, but had recurrent sore spot with pilots license at 18 and remember flying myself into airports in twin engine aircraft for work and be stuck unable to get car rental, even for extra fee, and even though I had confirmed reservation with my age entered. I know. Save the tears. First world problems. I wasn't given anything and worked hard for every penny and ability I had too. My company and I don't rent AVIS or Hertz to this day from it.

Young people have many years to remember both good and bad service and policies. MB should be overjoyed you're into their brand with your money @ 23. In the end, no huge deal, great lesson to keep in mind with what you get into in life not let cheap policies override the customer or common sense.

If all else fails, in regards to agreement, ask they provide a limo and driver to tote you around, and insist not just Mercedes...tell them you want a stretch Lincoln, Rolls, or something with a bit more space in the back.

l3it3r

It's an insurance thing. I remember the first time I went to Vegas, I couldn't rent a car because I was only 24.
Silly to be sure. Just like I thought it was dumb that I could join the Army at 18, but couldn't buy a beer.
'Murica, home of the free.

DBOC205

Absolutely - don't get angry at the dealer. Go mad at the insurance companies. Their modus operandi is "We're happy to take all of your money, but we're not at all prepared to accept any risk". That industry sector is shareholder driven greed at its finest.

joshg1001

The dealers in my area do not have a problem giving loaners. However, at one, they use Enterprise to handle their loaner service and they made me pay an "underage" fee of $25

floridadriver

.

It's not an insurance thing. It's a dealer being cheap thing. Or some local outlets of car rentals being cheap thing. I can see in some areas like Vegas, spring break, they may exercise more caution, as they do in some Florida locations with charging a fee for "older" drivers, as that's their greatest source of accident claims here.

I'm sure the dealer let the OP buyer test drive the car, and happily paid for full insurance coverage for sales.

Just curious, I asked MB dealer here, they're covered age 18-70 for loaner and pay for a rental if outside that range for their customers.

pamiboy

@OP, if you have another chance to buy an MB before you are 25, you should get a signed statement from the manager of the dealer that your age would not be held against you while issuing loaners (I know ).
BTW, I really admire that you are able to afford an MB on your own at age 23. All I had at that age was a bicycle.

Ders

I bought my 09 C300 last October. I had it serviced in December and they promptly gave me a loaner no question. I'm 22. Could it be dealership specific?

neweramike

I got a letter back from my dealer that contacted MBFS on my behalf. MBFS who runs the MB Loaner program said that they are in the process of re-writing the MB service loaner program because they have had multiple complaints from dealers all over the country and they agreed to change the 25 year rule to a minimum age of 21 years old.

So by me complaining about a stupid rule things got changed.

JayGoGilla

Thats your dealership. Here in Canada, the corporate stores will give mb loaners to anyone with a license if they come in.

YoussefAbe

i go to prestige MB since i was 22, I have been receiving loaners this whole time.

kuba.95

Not really, it all depends on the dealership. When my CLA 45 was at the dealership for over a month last year, I didn't receive a loaner since I was 18.

Long3494Qut

Dealership specific I believe. 24 last year when I needed a loaner for the E and then an S to fix a flat tire. No questions asked just took insurance down and driver license.

JayGoGilla

I said corporate stores. Which is true. Are you sure you went to a corporate owned dealership?

kuba.95

Honestly I'm not sure. Don't really pay attention to that stuff lol. Although it probably isn't a corporate owned dealership based off what you said.