Grave Mistake

From 03 Jan 2022 up to today 23 Feb 2022 My Mercedes B200 is still with Bosch services, 36 Intersite Avenue,Umgeni Business Park, Springfield Park, Durban.

I took my Mercedes B200 for the timing chain issue causing the engine light ON which was dismissed by technician and suggested to replace Cam Position Sensor after diagnostic evaluation which was replaced, technician reported perfect after test drive and advised to pay & collect. Workshop closing time, I collected vehicle, as I passed the exit gate the management light came ON again. Reported same time with a photo. Went back to them next day, another diagnostic performed, they couldn't evaluate the code they picked up, called Mercedes agents/technician to help them what that code means. Mercedes told them it is the timing chain issue.

Afterwards whatever happened to date I am cutting the long story short. Timing chain kit ordered from their own suppliers, after 1 week supplier responded "sold out", reordered and received after 4 days but some parts were missing, meanwhile engine stripped half job done awaiting for guides or tensioner, another week gone, parts received, fitment started ended after 1 week, assembled. Out for test drive, for few kilometres was perfect, suddenly engine light came ON with terrible sound from the engine as if something is broken inside.

The person who booked the job initially was talking all this time explaining the steps and measures. Again back to workshop for another week telling me "Bosch head office are trying to source out some links to Mercedes Benz to attempt to help up diagnose the fault on the vehicle".

I had meeting with him and told him whatever has happened to the engine is their liability to fix it, that employee promised to resolve at their cost as it's their responsibility no matter what it takes. Instead they started reporting faults after faults, adding on new quotations. I then approached to the management with details, matter was prioritized and instructed the staff to fix it no matter whatever is required.

Engine stripped again to trouble shoot, followed by more stories like cam shaft twisted or exhaust cam locked by vvt or the cam gears stuck or might be this might be that etc etc. Anyhow management decided to replace whatever required.

Another week gone. Came back to me saying "vehicle is assembled but it is not starting ,im in communication with my marc technician as he saying there is a set up i need to do i will tell you what comes off the conversation". They couldn't do set up then marc technician sent a video instruction on how to repair but all the work and repair went down the drain. IT DIDN'T START.

I was told at the end 1-The after market parts that could not be synchronized as the original. 2- There is a further underlying issue with the vehicle that we suggest best go back to the agents to repair. 3- We suggest the agents as they have the best software that can link back to Germany and the manufacturers to determine the problem. 4-At this stage we best advise that we revert the work back to the old parts and hand over the vehicle as we also understand that time has passed and we cannot guarantee a time line when this could be rectified, if you do wish to retain the new parts as they will be needed to change at some stage we can work around a costing just for this.

My question is if they accepted the Mercedes vehicle for repair then 1- Why they don't have the latest software to diagnose the faults correctly? 2- Why they use after market parts knowing that its Mercedes, works with genuine? 3- Why they didn't consider multiple stripping of engine could have caused more damages which they name as underlying issues?

My Attorney sent a letter to them with following but no response, yet. A) Attend to the full repair of the vehicle and have same in full working order within a reasonable time frame and advise of the plan of action in order to achieve the said repairs at their own costs.

B) Take the motor vehicle to the correct Mercedes technicians/agents and at their cost ensure that the repairs of the vehicle are attended to.

C) If the vehicle cannot be repaired, replace the vehicle with an appropriate replacement Mercedes Benz. Almost 2 months gone and I have no idea if the company will help to repair my vehicle or do I have to take further legal steps to make them realize and accept they are running business with unequipped outdated system and software with the help of non-professionals. Rather it shall be closed by the law so that no more people suffer losses at their raw hands.