2005 Mercedes-Benz A-Class Classic diesel from Switzerland
Summary:
Stay away from this car!
Faults:
During the first two months of having the car, the electric windows would go up and down on their own.
Within six months of owning the car, a warning light came on advising the security system was not working.
Frequent hard starting.
Car died on us when we were 2,000km from home. Got it started and had to limp to a Mercedes garage for computer resetting.
Replace battery at 30,000 km.
A/C stopped working when picked up from dealer after a servicing.
Two headlights and one taillight burned out so far.
"Tailgate not closed" warning light stays on.
Something in the transmission went bang six weeks ago. The car was in the dealer for two weeks.
The car wouldn't accelerate above 50km/hr intermittently. Had to pull over and re-start the car.
Went out of country for two week holiday. Came home to a dead car. Had to call road side assistance to start it.
General Comments:
In 30 years of car ownership, this is hands down the most unreliable vehicle I have ever owned or driven. We will not take it on long trips. The car was in the dealer seven times in 2006. Not bad for a one year old car, isn't it?
The car is leased, and we now await their response to our request for a replacement vehicle. Very poorly made car.
The most recent adventure came just before Christmas 2006, when the transmission made a loud bang at a stop light. The vehicle was in for repairs for two weeks. Now, at least than five weeks after the return of the car, I need to take it back to the dealer to reset a warning light advising that the tailgate is open.
We are now considering making appointments every six weeks in the future in anticipation of this thing breaking down.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No
Review Date: 5th February, 2007
21st Jun 2007, 00:13
This is funny. I have a BMW 325i that I bought new in 2005 and it has had exactly the same problems -one after another the exact same problems!- you mention for your Mercedes. And my other car is an A-Class with more than 110,000miles and never a problem with it, as good as new with just normal service. So, we are completely at the inverse.
Well, good luck with yours, in any case.
25th Sep 2007, 11:35
Here's an update on the car. I sent Mercedes an itemized email outlining all of the issues we had with the car.
The dealer's response was to buy me out of the lease at top $$$. He bought me out of it for $5,000 more than was left owing on the lease. He then kicked in another $5,000 towards a 2007 black A150.
Net result was a new car for less per month. No penalties for excess mileage on the old car. When I mentioned that I had to buff out scratches, he told me to do nothing with the car. Simply clean out the car and swap keys.
Stunning recovery. The new car has had no issues. None. Better ride. Slight improvements over the old. Very happy customers.
25th Sep 2007, 16:52
To me, that is amazing customer service. I never once got service anywhere near what you did from my local Mercedes dealership.
8th Dec 2007, 20:30
I wish that customer service from BMW. They have a rubbish service.
4th Apr 2008, 04:59
And here is yeat another update. We have driven the new 2007 A-Class for 25,000Km with not one problem. Completely different car. Very satisfied.
18th Mar 2007, 10:40
I have had the same problems with my own car and so has my Auntie. I am so dissappointed! and they are so expensive for parts I am getting rid of it.