CPO with 23k miles and now I need brakes + rotors?
So I have a 2016 s550 Cpo that we just purchased. After about a month I heard some grinding on the rear of the car. After taking it into the dealer they said I need rear pads and rotors... that left me a little confused because
1, i thought i bought a CPO and it was supposed to have more wear available min 65% on a CPO right ?
2, because I never seen a brake indicator on my instrament panel letting me know the brakes need service.
now the dealer wants to charge me $1,200 + for brakes .. it's not about the money , it's more of a fact that this car is supposed to 1 come with more usability before I have to service it & 2 it should give me notice my brakes need service especially if it's down to the rotor.
The advisor said the indicator didnt come on because there is only 1 rear sensor ... even if that were true he said both rear brakes need service, so the indicator should still come on. Right ?
My question is , has this happened to anyone else ?
And what are my options ?
Thanks
Last edited by D_Dubz; Jan 28, 2020 at 04:12 PM.

If the dealer doesn't take care of it I'd honestly just have an Indy do it (I'd probably DIY). I would check the brakes too as I've never had to replace rotors (espically rear) at 23K, and a pad change should be cheap and easy. Depending on how open you wheels are you might be able to see enough of the pad/rotor to see if there is material left.
There is probably only 1 sensor on the passanger side (I can't say for sure on the W222, but this is common) You do need to do both sides. Pads may fix it if your rotor is within spec.
Brakes are an easy high margin repair at dealer so it's not surprising you have been recommended to change them.
Last edited by rediesel; Jan 28, 2020 at 04:50 PM.
Admittedly I know nothing about the MB CPO process, but if Acura, dealer required to replace brakes, tires, etc if less than 50% remaining. What is MB requirement?




Last edited by seamus2154; Jan 28, 2020 at 11:11 PM.
In the recent similar situation for me, the out-of-state dealership offered me a half-priced "courtesy" reimbursement which I declined because this meant to me half my responsibility, half theirs. We eventually settled on my idea of the equivalent value in parts of my brake repair costs, which are being shipped to me as we speak. This took numerous phone calls and emails. It was a total PIA.
Last edited by C Swenson; Jan 28, 2020 at 09:13 PM.
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Last edited by C Swenson; Jan 28, 2020 at 10:51 PM.




So I have a 2016 s550 Cpo that we just purchased. After about a month I heard some grinding on the rear of the car. After taking it into the dealer they said I need rear pads and rotors... that left me a little confused because
1, i thought i bought a CPO and it was supposed to have more wear available min 65% on a CPO right ?
2, because I never seen a brake indicator on my instrament panel letting me know the brakes need service.
now the dealer wants to charge me $1,200 + for brakes .. it's not about the money , it's more of a fact that this car is supposed to 1 come with more usability before I have to service it & 2 it should give me notice my brakes need service especially if it's down to the rotor.
The advisor said the indicator didnt come on because there is only 1 rear sensor ... even if that were true he said both rear brakes need service, so the indicator should still come on. Right ?
My question is , has this happened to anyone else ?
And what are my options ?
Thanks
I have been buying MBs from my dealer since 1997. They always make things right when a problem arises. Your issue is a problem and they simply need to make it right since they missed the boat big time.
I custom ordered and purchased a new 2016 S550 4matic from my dealer in 2015. I traded it in on my European Delivery ‘19 S63 AMG in 2018. I had put 36,000 miles on my ‘16 S Class and the first thing the dealer did was put new brakes on the car and CPO’ed the car. I had never changed the brakes on the ‘16 but as part of the CPO process the dealer changed the brakes for the new CPO owner. It is clear your dealer screwed up if it was a CPO car.
D_Dubz, on the CPO certification paperwork that had to be done with the car inspection it should list both the MM thickness of the brakes and the rotor measurements at the time of inspection. This is required by MBUSA. What does it say on the work order? The tech that did the CPO work, the service manager, and the pre-owned sales manager all had to sign off on these numbers. Assuming it's the same service department, what are their current measurements that indicate immediate replacement and how do they compare to those of one month ago? Ask them for specifics before you let them do any work. If you eventually take this to MBUSA this is information you'll need at hand.




So you car does have ONE rear brake wear sensor. You can buy new pads for about 100 dollars and put them on the car if the rotors are not messed up its all good.
Last edited by Katie22; Jan 29, 2020 at 02:46 PM.
It is simple to visually inspect all four rotors to ensure they are new. If the rotors are new the pads will be new. Mercedes-Benz clearly defines what CPO provides to the buyer. A complete brake job is not on the list.
On the plus side, you can get everything you need to put all new brakes on place on both axels for less than $500.00 if you shop around.
If done there is a work order with pad , rotor, and tire measurements.
If no work order there was no inspection. Sales has to ask service to do it and they won't do it without a work order. A big issue is that this CPO certification gives you warranty at ANY dealer. MB does not want dealers just throwing used vehicles out there on warranty.
Part of buying CPO is that they give you (must ask) the complete service history.



