checkmercedes.com Scam?
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 20
Likes: 4
From: Wilmington NC
E-63 AMG
checkmercedes.com Scam?
Hi, looking for a replacement for my recently sold 2010 E63 (looking for a 2016 E63). Thought I'd try and get the DSH/service history from checkmercedes.com ($25).
I received a PDF a couple of hours later. It doesn't show a single record, just the build record (which is freely available for a number of MB vin decoder services) and a series of damage reports (not sure what they are).
Is this a scam? I've contacted via the "contact us" page on the website yesterday AM: heard nothing!
I've attached the PDF received.
I received a PDF a couple of hours later. It doesn't show a single record, just the build record (which is freely available for a number of MB vin decoder services) and a series of damage reports (not sure what they are).
Is this a scam? I've contacted via the "contact us" page on the website yesterday AM: heard nothing!
I've attached the PDF received.
Last edited by atgordon; Dec 29, 2024 at 05:53 PM.
Member
Joined: Oct 2022
Posts: 111
Likes: 82
From: New Zealand
From my experience checkmercedes.com isn't a scam - but have only used this website once prior two years ago.
The Damage History lists any service/warranty/recall work carried out on the vehicle that is covered by the factory. I see yours has a few warranty items listed and at least one recall (18P4694011), but no routine servicing by a MB dealer.
My report looks similar to yours except I have three MB dealer yearly routine services listed at the beginning of the report. The routine services list the same information you would find in the old "Service Booklet", so quite basic information of work carried out by the dealer.
Either this vehicle was never serviced at an MB dealer covered by the original factory warranty, or maybe there is a mistake with your report that needs fixing.
Interestingly, my report included a single line item under Damage History that indicated a warranty claim for 'excessive oil consumption' that my local dealer refused to disclose any further details about (due to, wait for it..... privacy reasons!), however when I contacted checkmercedes.com directly via email they happily gave me (free of charge) the complete dealer repair report for this warranty claim, which was in fact a full engine rebuild due to cylinder scoring.
The Damage History lists any service/warranty/recall work carried out on the vehicle that is covered by the factory. I see yours has a few warranty items listed and at least one recall (18P4694011), but no routine servicing by a MB dealer.
My report looks similar to yours except I have three MB dealer yearly routine services listed at the beginning of the report. The routine services list the same information you would find in the old "Service Booklet", so quite basic information of work carried out by the dealer.
Either this vehicle was never serviced at an MB dealer covered by the original factory warranty, or maybe there is a mistake with your report that needs fixing.
Interestingly, my report included a single line item under Damage History that indicated a warranty claim for 'excessive oil consumption' that my local dealer refused to disclose any further details about (due to, wait for it..... privacy reasons!), however when I contacted checkmercedes.com directly via email they happily gave me (free of charge) the complete dealer repair report for this warranty claim, which was in fact a full engine rebuild due to cylinder scoring.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 20
Likes: 4
From: Wilmington NC
E-63 AMG
Thanks for the feedback ... I looked at the sample report, and assumed the my report would be similar + any MB dealer repair info.
It's interesting that you had to pursue them for DSH report for a specific repair ... why wasn't part of the report if this IS a full DSR?
Given what you we both received, I'd say that their claim of providing "FULL DIGITAL SERVICE RECORDS: 100% DETAILED: DIRECT FROM THE DEALERSHIP" is BS (this is a direct quote from their PDF ... see the footer). Neither of us received that.
I have seen a DSR for my old E63 (only because my dealership messed up a repair and tried to claim prior fault - amicably settled), and it ran to 90+ pages of detailed info on every visit and every repair item, from the pre-sales checks onwards).
Thankfully, using a CC gives some protection, so I'm not out of pocket.
I recommend that anyone who wants a detailed DSH avoids the CheckMercedes.Com service. Maybe not a scam, but not a service as advertised.
It's interesting that you had to pursue them for DSH report for a specific repair ... why wasn't part of the report if this IS a full DSR?
Given what you we both received, I'd say that their claim of providing "FULL DIGITAL SERVICE RECORDS: 100% DETAILED: DIRECT FROM THE DEALERSHIP" is BS (this is a direct quote from their PDF ... see the footer). Neither of us received that.
I have seen a DSR for my old E63 (only because my dealership messed up a repair and tried to claim prior fault - amicably settled), and it ran to 90+ pages of detailed info on every visit and every repair item, from the pre-sales checks onwards).
Thankfully, using a CC gives some protection, so I'm not out of pocket.
I recommend that anyone who wants a detailed DSH avoids the CheckMercedes.Com service. Maybe not a scam, but not a service as advertised.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 20
Likes: 4
From: Wilmington NC
E-63 AMG
Did hear back from CheckMercedes via email. The opening statement informed me that I accepted the terms and conditions when I paid, and that means no refunds unless they fail to get any info (and since the bulk of their report was the Build Card available free form many sources, I'm guessing they never issue refunds!).
They also made clear that they refer the inquiry to a Mercedes dealer and pay for the record retrieval service, so they clearly don't have first person access to anything!
They informed me that the record shows 5 damage items. The fact the items have almost no information associated with them obviously doesn't seem to matter, and there are no links to open the record to see what was done (the poster above seems to have more success in getting them to help expand the damage information).
CarFax shows the vehicle was pre-sale prepared and received its first service at a MB dealer ... why doesn't that show up?
I'd still say that the service offered is limited and patchy at best, and clearly nothing like the comprehensive sample report on their website! Carfax is certainly a much better source for general service info.
Buyer beware.
They also made clear that they refer the inquiry to a Mercedes dealer and pay for the record retrieval service, so they clearly don't have first person access to anything!
They informed me that the record shows 5 damage items. The fact the items have almost no information associated with them obviously doesn't seem to matter, and there are no links to open the record to see what was done (the poster above seems to have more success in getting them to help expand the damage information).
CarFax shows the vehicle was pre-sale prepared and received its first service at a MB dealer ... why doesn't that show up?
I'd still say that the service offered is limited and patchy at best, and clearly nothing like the comprehensive sample report on their website! Carfax is certainly a much better source for general service info.
Buyer beware.
