It sounds like some car owners have had frustrating experiences with vehicle repairs, where issues were persistent and dealerships seemed unhelpful. Thinking back, it’s been a long time since encountering a truly unresolved problem with a car – perhaps twenty years. Even then, the dealership, though a different brand, was determined to fix the issue and eventually succeeded.
A lot of the quality of service can depend on the specific dealership and its ownership. Mercedes has been evolving its dealership model, moving towards direct ownership, which should lead to more consistent and accountable service standards. Hopefully, this shift means issues are now addressed directly with Mercedes, rather than being filtered through potentially less responsive franchise owners.
While I can’t comment on Audi directly, as I haven’t owned one, they are another brand where a service plan seems like a wise investment. These plans are often offered as promotions, such as through Audi Haus, adding value to the ownership experience.
However, speaking from personal experience as an A-Class Mercedes owner, I never felt like a second-class customer at the dealership. While I didn’t expect VIP treatment like pizza on New Year’s Eve, nor did I need it. Most service centers operate professionally these days. Across various brands I’ve owned, the majority of interactions have been positive. You might occasionally encounter an odd character, but those individuals are unlikely to last long in customer-facing roles in today’s service environment.
Generally, the service process is honest and professional now. With our MINI, for example, we receive a comprehensive report detailing everything checked, including completed work and future recommendations. They even provide a video walkthrough from the mechanic, explaining the service performed – it’s quite impressive how far car servicing has progressed. The entire process is streamlined; the car is monitored and linked to the service center, and they proactively contact you to schedule appointments when needed. Service history is logged in a car app. The BMW I mentioned from 2018 is a connected car, which is standard now. Full service records are also digitally logged within the car itself, eliminating the need for traditional paper logbooks. Furthermore, with a service plan, ownership has been worry-free for the past 2.5 years, without any unexpected service costs.
