- An aftermarket extended warranty is not the same as the factory warranty. Most plans cover less than owners expect, and there is almost always some out-of-pocket cost.
- We accept most plans and file the claim for you. Most dealerships won't take them.
- A claim adds time. A regular repair is usually 1 to 3 days. With a warranty company it's usually 3 to 5, because they send their own inspector and make their own approval.
- The plan's adjuster makes the final call, even when we can show exactly what failed.
- Thinking about buying one? Get a Mercedes-specialist inspection first, check the company, read the contract and know the payout limit.
Why most plans cover less than people expect
We see it every week: a client paid a lot of money for an extended warranty and expects the repair to be covered. Then the plan says no, or pays only part of it. It's frustrating, and it's not your fault. These plans are sold as "coverage," but the contract decides what gets paid, not the salesperson.
- Exclusions. Many plans leave out wear items and anything they decide was already wrong before the plan started.
- Labor limits. Many plans don't pay a shop's full labor rate.
- Deductibles. Most plans have one per claim or per visit.
- Payout caps. Some plans only pay up to a set amount, sometimes no more than what you paid for the contract.
An extended warranty plan is different from your Mercedes factory warranty and from the extended coverage Mercedes-Benz itself puts on known problem parts. For those, see Dealer or independent? Your warranty, explained.
How a claim works with us, step by step
- You call us and tell us you have a plan. Have the contract or plan number handy.
- We diagnose the car with licensed XENTRY, the same factory system the dealer uses, and find what failed.
- We open the claim with your plan and send them our findings.
- The plan sends its own inspector or adjuster to look at the car.
- The plan makes its own decision on what it will and won't pay.
- They get back to us, usually about a day later.
- We tell you what's covered and your share, and you approve before any work starts.
- We fix it, and the repair is backed by our 3-year / 36,000-mile warranty.
Why a warranty repair takes longer (and it isn't us)
When a job seems slow, this is usually why. The extra days come from the warranty company's steps: scheduling their inspector, reviewing the claim and sending an answer. We can't start the covered repair until they approve it, or they may refuse to pay. We keep pushing the claim along and keep you posted at every step.
Why most dealers won't take these plans (and we do)
Most dealerships won't accept aftermarket warranty plans. They can be difficult to work with and often pay out little. We'll work with them and file the claim for you. The plans we see most often come from companies like Endurance, CarShield and Silver Rock, and we work with most other plans too.
Plan on some out-of-pocket cost
With almost every claim, there is some cost to you: the deductible, plus any parts or labor the plan won't pay for. That's true at the dealer and with us.
Thinking about buying a plan? Four checks first
- Get a pre-purchase inspection from a Mercedes specialist. If the car already has problems before the plan starts, those repairs won't be covered. A general inspection can miss Mercedes-specific issues. Our pre-purchase inspection is $275.
- Research the warranty company. Read its Google reviews and Better Business Bureau page, and look for real owners' experiences. Not all companies are the same.
- Know what's actually covered. Don't go by the sales pitch. Read the contract and the list of exclusions.
- Know the price and the payout limit. Some low-priced plans only pay out up to what you paid for the contract. At that point it works more like a forced savings account than coverage.
Skip these steps and a "warranty" can still leave you with thousands in repair bills. Before you sign, you're welcome to bring the contract in and ask us how it treats the repairs we see most on your model.
Common questions
Do you accept extended warranty plans?
Yes. We accept most aftermarket extended-warranty plans, including companies like Endurance, CarShield and Silver Rock, and we file the claim for you. Most dealerships won't take these plans.
Why does a warranty repair take longer?
A regular repair at Elite Benz in Summerville, SC is usually 1 to 3 days. With a warranty company it's usually 3 to 5 days, because the company sends its own inspector, makes its own approval and usually gets back to us about a day later. We can't start the covered repair until they approve it.
Who decides if my repair is covered?
The warranty company's adjuster. We send them exactly what failed, with XENTRY readings and photos, but if their adjuster decides it isn't covered, the plan won't pay. We explain your options and the cost before any work starts.
Will I have to pay anything?
Almost always some. Most plans have a deductible, and many won't pay for every part or the full labor. We adjust our pricing to keep your share as low as we can and tell you exactly what you'll pay before work starts.
Why won't my dealer take my extended warranty?
Most dealerships don't accept aftermarket plans because they can be difficult to work with and often pay out little. We work with most plans and handle the claim for you.
Is an extended warranty the same as my Mercedes factory warranty?
No. The factory warranty and any extended coverage Mercedes-Benz puts on known problem parts are handled by Mercedes-Benz dealers. An aftermarket extended warranty is a separate contract with a separate company, with its own rules and exclusions.
Should I buy an extended warranty for a used Mercedes?
If you do, check four things first: get a pre-purchase inspection from a Mercedes specialist (ours is $275), research the warranty company, read the contract and exclusions, and know the price and payout limit.
What should I do if something breaks and I have a plan?
Call us and tell us you have a plan, and have the contract or plan number ready. We diagnose the car, open the claim and keep you posted until the plan answers.
Have a plan and a problem?
Call us with your plan number. We diagnose with XENTRY, open the claim, keep you posted and tell you your share before any work starts.
This guide is general information from our technicians' experience and isn't a diagnosis of your vehicle. Prices are averages, include tax where noted, and are confirmed in writing before any work begins. Elite Benz is an independent Mercedes-Benz specialist, not affiliated with or endorsed by Mercedes-Benz USA.
