Warranty
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2025
Posts: 29
Likes: 4
From: Chicago
2012 S550 Base
Warranty
Hi there, I recently purchased my first 2012 S550 W221 it has about 83k miles on it, I’m interested in looking for a Fidelity warranty, does anyone have any recommendations for warranty’s and where I can purchase one from a dealership that won’t break the bank?
Super Member
Joined: Oct 2023
Posts: 538
Likes: 190
W221 S500
Not sure about the US, but here in the UK if I take out a service plan before my 2006 S500 hits 20 years old, they will give a rolling Mobilio warranty for the length of the plan... Basically it renews for 12 months with each service as long as the plan is in effect.
I was offered this when I enquired at my local dealer about my cars service history which they couldn't verify. It was about 30 months ago, and I don't know if they offered it because they could see the history but didn't want to share or they were trying to hook me for the service plan... Nevertheless,.it might be worth an ask...
Non manufacturer warranties are rarely worth the paper they're printed on.
I was offered this when I enquired at my local dealer about my cars service history which they couldn't verify. It was about 30 months ago, and I don't know if they offered it because they could see the history but didn't want to share or they were trying to hook me for the service plan... Nevertheless,.it might be worth an ask...
Non manufacturer warranties are rarely worth the paper they're printed on.
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Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 1,567
Likes: 475
From: Scottsdale, Arizona
2001 E55AMG
Haha thank you sir. Unfortunately the vechile needs to be a '16 or newer (starting January first), and under 80K miles to be eligible for affordable extended warranty coverage.
Trenton O. Gibson
tgibson@highline-autos.com
Highline Autos
Direct: 602.909.9216
Office: 480.348.0777
Trenton O. Gibson
tgibson@highline-autos.com
Highline Autos
Direct: 602.909.9216
Office: 480.348.0777
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2025
Posts: 784
Likes: 248
From: USA
For a 2012 with that mileage, a factory-style exclusionary policy is best. Fidelity is solid, but they can be strict on older cars. Call a few high-volume Mercedes dealerships in your state their finance departments often sell third-party plans and can give you the best quote. Expect it to be pricey, but for an S550, it's likely worth the peace of mind. Read the fine print carefully.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 2,607
Likes: 1,208
From: Phoenix
222 S-65
For a 2012 with that mileage, a factory-style exclusionary policy is best. Fidelity is solid, but they can be strict on older cars. Call a few high-volume Mercedes dealerships in your state their finance departments often sell third-party plans and can give you the best quote. Expect it to be pricey, but for an S550, it's likely worth the peace of mind. Read and understand fine print carefully.
Far too many who aren't really car guys and girls think they understand what is said in the fine print and learn an unpleasant lesson down the road. KNOW what is and is not covered. Make sure you are OK with it when they tell you that hoses are not covered and understand what it means. It isn't just coolant hoses for the engine. It will be hydraulic lines, A/C hoses ect. Where they 'cover electrical components' know what is covered. If electric motors/actuators are not covered you are on your own for an awful lot of things that do fail. Those who cook up extended warranties like to only cover the things that don't fail and will have paragraphs describing the myriad ways they can wiggle out of paying for that.
KNOW what you are paying for. For most of us with older higher miles cars it doesn't pencil out.
Super Member
Joined: Oct 2023
Posts: 538
Likes: 190
W221 S500
Fixed that for you.
Far too many who aren't really car guys and girls think they understand what is said in the fine print and learn an unpleasant lesson down the road. KNOW what is and is not covered. Make sure you are OK with it when they tell you that hoses are not covered and understand what it means. It isn't just coolant hoses for the engine. It will be hydraulic lines, A/C hoses ect. Where they 'cover electrical components' know what is covered. If electric motors/actuators are not covered you are on your own for an awful lot of things that do fail. Those who cook up extended warranties like to only cover the things that don't fail and will have paragraphs describing the myriad ways they can wiggle out of paying for that.
KNOW what you are paying for. For most of us with older higher miles cars it doesn't pencil out.
Far too many who aren't really car guys and girls think they understand what is said in the fine print and learn an unpleasant lesson down the road. KNOW what is and is not covered. Make sure you are OK with it when they tell you that hoses are not covered and understand what it means. It isn't just coolant hoses for the engine. It will be hydraulic lines, A/C hoses ect. Where they 'cover electrical components' know what is covered. If electric motors/actuators are not covered you are on your own for an awful lot of things that do fail. Those who cook up extended warranties like to only cover the things that don't fail and will have paragraphs describing the myriad ways they can wiggle out of paying for that.
KNOW what you are paying for. For most of us with older higher miles cars it doesn't pencil out.
Bought a car with an aftermarket warranty once. Started consuming coolant. Garage replaced the head gasket under warranty. Didn't fix it. Head removed and pressure tested. Labour covered, but I had to pay out of pocket because the head itself wasn't covered if it was cracked and gasket wasn't covered if the head had failed.
Net cost to me: one head and one gasket.💩
The only used car warranty worth 5 minutes with a Kleenex is a manufacturer approved used one.
Mercedes Mobilio is pretty decent as long as the car is dealer maintained, (obviously manufacturers servicing standards can be followed by anyone with the schedule and genuine parts, but it can be a frustrating argument regardless of the legality of consumer rights so main dealer servicing makes warranty claims a bit easier to manage).
That said, on a near 20 year old car, a warranty is always going to be an exercise in ever diminishing returns.
