The owner of an eight-year-old Mercedes Hybrid model has been left shocked at the cost of a replacement battery.
Ranjit Singh, 63, bought the second-hand Mercedes Benz hybrid car four years ago for £27,000 from a Mercedes Benz dealership.
However, the dealership has now told him that the battery has come to the end of its service life.
He claims he was quoted £15,000 for a hybrid battery replacement – excluding labour costs which he was quoted would be roughly around £200 an hour.
Speaking to Leicestershire Live, the Ranjit said: “I have always been a Mercedes customer and loved the cars they produce and we bought the car for its reliability.
“We also looked online at Mercedes-Benz forums, and found a lot of people facing the same issues.
“I fear this is only going to get worse.”
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Mercedes Benz says information is available online and customers are informed of the battery certificate upon purchasing.
A spokesman said: “We have based the general information below on a 2014 Mercedes-Benz E-Class mild hybrid with a 125V high voltage battery, rather than a plug-in hybrid.
“In 2014, the 125V high voltage battery was covered by the standard three year manufacturer’s warranty (unlimited mileage).
“Without the background information, we are unable to comment on why the high voltage battery required replacement in this particular case.
“Outside influences can contribute to reduced battery life, for example, operating conditions of the car, accidents, repairs and general maintenance.
“When purchasing a new or used hybrid car from a Mercedes-Benz Retailer, customers are informed of the battery certificate, which is alongside the warranty information on the Owners’ Area of the Mercedes-Benz Cars UK website and the smart.com website.”
Peter Fearnley
Tip of the iceberg I reckon
J.N. Glass
So the cost to replace battery is more than the value of the car. Great move. Just proves the true cost of electric car motoring.
SHAUN
SURELY PEOPLE REALISE THAT AT SOME POINT THE BATTERY WILL REQUIRE REPLACEMENT THESE QUESTIONS SHOULD BE ASKED BEFORE YOU PURCHASE THE VEHICLE
Peter Tsakov
I’ve been quoted £9500 from Mercedes Reading… after they have kept my car for two months. They opened the car two weeks after it was with them, as I got the notification on my phone. And when I asked them – what is the guarantee that replacing the hybrid battery will solve the problem, they replied, there is no guarantee…. so thanks, but no! I have changed the dealership since then.
Total disappointment!!!!