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Category: Mercedes-Benz Owners

Mercedes-Benz Does Not Want Aftermarket Parts Used on Collision Repairs 

Posted on by Rosslyn Auto Body

Mercedes-Benz Does Not Want Aftermarket Parts Used on Collision Repairs 

Mercedes-Benz vehicles and Genuine Parts are designed and manufactured to meet production-engineered specifications while maximizing the safety of all occupants in a collision. If a collision repair is necessary, the carmaker strongly recommends that all repairs be performed by a certified technician using only Genuine Mercedes-Benz Parts, mechanical components, and electrical components, as well as safety devices  such as airbags and seat belts.

What M-B is Saying about Aftermarket Parts

Mercedes-Benz does not approve of the use of aftermarket or third-party replacement parts as well. Here is what they stated in a position paper about aftermarket, salvaged and recycled parts.

“Mercedes-Benz vehicles are fully tested and certified as an entire assembly. Each part plays a role in the overall operation of the vehicle and is optimized for fit, function, safety, and structural integrity. Aftermarket parts are not subject to the same requirements of the entire vehicle operation or function, and may not be manufactured to the same standards or design.

This could compromise the overall safety of the vehicle should a future collision occur. In particular, aftermarket parts such as fenders, hoods, bumpers, and doors may not provide proper operation or function of vehicle crumple zones, or supplemental restraint sensors (SRS/airbag sensors), or meet federal motor vehicle safety standards for vehicle collisions. Aftermarket parts are not covered under any Mercedes-Benz warranty, and their use may cause other related components to not be covered under warranty should a failure occur. Genuine Mercedes-Benz replacement parts and accessories installed by certified technicians help preserve the performance and integrity of your vehicle. In addition, keeping it genuine with Genuine Mercedes-Benz Parts will help maintain your vehicles residual value.”

M-B’s Position on Using Salvaged/Recycled Components is Clear

“Mercedes-Benz does not approve of the use of components removed from a vehicle that was damaged, burned, flooded, scrapped, or involved in a previous collision. Salvaged or recycled parts may have been subjected to crash-impact loads, exposure to outside weather, excessive wear, high temperatures, or extreme forces during removal from the donor vehicle. Mercedes-Benz cannot guarantee the safety, quality, compatibility, or durability of recycled parts, as there are no standards in place for testing these components. In addition, salvaged components are not traceable should a recall occur in the future.”

M-B Suggests Replacing All Fasteners and Using Only Approved Adhesives

Fasteners: Mercedes-Benz advises the replacement of all associated fasteners during a collision repair. Fasteners that have been worn, broken, or deformed during a collision must be replaced with Genuine Mercedes-Benz replacement parts. Each structural collision repair is developed and tested using Genuine Mercedes-Benz replacement parts, including rivets, screws, bolts, and other fasteners. The integrity of the complete repair cannot be guaranteed with the use of aftermarket, damaged, or broken fasteners.

Adhesives: Mercedes-Benz only allows the use of adhesives that have been specified in official published repair documents (the WIS). Many technological advances have taken place in the field of structural adhesives for use in Mercedes-Benz vehicles. The use of adhesives in automotive repair is specific to each vehicle and repair location; these repairs have been fully tested using the components, products, and procedures specified in the WIS. The use of other adhesive products that have not been designed for the repair may compromise the safety and durability of the entire vehicle.”

Why Does This Matter to You?

By using only Genuine Mercedes-Benz replacement parts in all of its collision repair, an MB owner will always be able to cruise safely and in comfort. By using aftermarket parts, you won’t get that peace-of-mind that every car owner covets.

Syndicated content from https://capturethekeys.com/.

Why Mercedes-Benz Does Not Approve of Wheel Reconditioning and How This Affects You

Posted on by Rosslyn Auto Body
Image of Mercedes-Benz

Reconditioning could compromise the structural integrity of your Mercedes’ wheels.

If you are not familiar with wheel reconditioning, it is a process of using various tools and methods to try to repair a damaged wheel, instead of replacing it entirely.  Some methods include welding, re-plating, or reshaping the wheel.  

Nearly every car manufacturer releases Position Statements explaining what methods of auto body repair they do or do not recommend.  While some shops disregard these statements, we take a fine-tooth comb to the information they provide so that we can provide the best possible repair for every vehicle that comes through our doors.

When it comes to wheel reconditioning, Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) has issued a Position Statement explaining why they do not accept wheel reconditioning in any vehicle repairs.  Here’s what they say:

“Reconditioning of damaged wheels typically involves a process that may include heating, straightening, welding, material removal, reshaping, or replating. This process can cause deficiencies in the strength of the wheel material. A reconditioned wheel and rims do not meet the production specifications for Mercedes-Benz vehicles and are not an acceptable method of repair.”

The problem with reconditioning methods, such as heating, welding, and reshaping, is that these techniques could compromise the structural integrity of your wheels.  If a wheel is damaged enough to warrant reconditioning, then it should just be replaced outright.       

Being the only parts of the car to actually make contact with the road, your wheels are essential to your safety and are worth investing the proper time and energy into.  It is simply not worth the risk to your life to take chances with the condition of your vehicle’s wheels.

 

Image of Mercedes-Benz

 

 

What wheel repairs are approved for your Mercedes-Benz?

Even though wheel reconditioning is not approved of by MBUSA, certain cosmetic wheel repairs are permitted:

“MBUSA approves only wheel repairs that are limited to surface sanding and cosmetic refinishing processes that remove and replace paint coatings only. Any wheel located near any area of collision damage should be thoroughly examined to ensure that the wheel meets the original safety specifications.”

Basically, only superficial cosmetic adjustments are allowed, since they won’t jeopardize the integrity of the wheel structure.  If the wheel is damaged beyond minor cosmetic issues, then it should be replaced entirely.

 

Image of Mercedes-Benz

 

Not all shops follow these recommendations, but we do.

It’s disappointing, but some shops throw caution out the window and continue to practice wheel reconditioning, despite MBUSA’s adamant recommendation to avoid this practice at all costs.  They can get away with this because no body shop is actually forced to adhere to a manufacturer’s Position Statement.  

At our shop, we strongly believe that there’s no reason to take a chance with your Mercedes-Benz’s repair by going against the advice of the manufacturer.  Reconditioned wheels can lead to very dangerous problems down the road.  We will always replace your Mercedes-Benz’s wheels entirely if they’ve sustained significant damage or we will follow proper refinishing methods if the damage is cosmetic. 

You won’t have to worry about driving on unstable wheels when you bring your vehicle to us.  We always follow the manufacturer’s recommendations in order to deliver the safest possible repair to our customers. 

Syndicated content from https://capturethekeys.com/.