Tiny blisters on roof

[Steve B]

My local dealers latest response to my roof blisters


Thank you for contacting Mercedes-Benz Customer Service.

I am very sorry to hear you remain unhappy with the outcome of your recent complaint, I can confirm this matter has been thoroughly investigated and our position on the matter remains unchanged.

I can confirm that Mercedes-Benz of Blackpool confirmed that the paint issue you are experiencing is not down to a manufacturing defect and has being caused by an outside influence. Should you wish to discuss possible causes I would recommend contacting Mercedes-Benz of Blackpool for further information.

As myself and my colleagues have provided you with our complete response on the issue and have no further relevant information to provide, any future correspondence on this subject may be included into our case file for internal reference only.

Once again please accept my sincere apologies for any inconvenience that has been caused, I understand your expectation of Mercedes-Benz has not been met in this instance. I can assure you all feedback has been logged and will be put for internal review so we can improve the service we provide moving forward.

If we can assist you in the future under different circumstances, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with either myself or one of my colleagues.

If you are unhappy with this final decision or feel this matter is unresolved, you can seek advice with an CTSI Certified Alternative Dispute Resolution provider. We are prepared to engage with The Motor Ombudsman to resolve your dispute. Further details can be found at www.themotorombudsman.org, or alternatively their telephone number is 0345 241 3008 selecting option 1.

I don't very often look at facebook or do any chat posts and I am on it for another forum so look occasionally at the MP one. Picked this up, I've redacted it for privacy but it says that Blackpool MB are replacing blistered roofs.

Log in or register and have a look as it has the contact details.

 

[SteveR]

I don't very often look at facebook or do any chat posts and I am on it for another forum so look occasionally at the MP one. Picked this up, I've redacted it for privacy but it says that Blackpool MB are replacing blistered roofs.

This is madness isn't it. So many conflicting experiences here yet the roof issue is so widespread that I cannot understand how not ALL MB dealerships should be aware of the problem, the cause and the rectification and following the same process to resolve

 

[edzt]

I don't very often look at facebook or do any chat posts and I am on it for another forum so look occasionally at the MP one. Picked this up, I've redacted it for privacy but it says that Blackpool MB are replacing blistered roofs.

Log in or register and have a look as it has the contact details.

I don't very often look at facebook or do any chat posts and I am on it for another forum so look occasionally at the MP one. Picked this up, I've redacted it for privacy but it says that Blackpool MB are replacing blistered roofs.

Log in or register and have a look as it has the contact details.

View attachment 1236

Steve, thank you.

My problem isn't so much the actual blisters, it's I raised the issue with Blackpool when the van was in warranty then after several phone calls that came to naught along came Covid, lockdown etc.

When Blackpool mercedes reopened and I followed it up I was informed that my warranty had expired during lockdown and they had no recollection of me ever broaching the subject. ie Tough!!

 

[Grand Tourismo]

Steve, thank you.

My problem isn't so much the actual blisters, it's I raised the issue with Blackpool when the van was in warranty then after several phone calls that came to naught along came Covid, lockdown etc.

When Blackpool mercedes reopened and I followed it up I was informed that my warranty had expired during lockdown and they had no recollection of me ever broaching the subject. ie Tough!!

EDZT: If you feel strongly you could request an appointment with the service manager at MB Blackpool via Zoom or something...if you don't get a meeting then a signed for letter to the dealer principle explaining the issue and your experience so far and that the service manager is ducking the issue.

 

[Blackrat]

Well after giving the MP a good clean I realised I am the latest member of the Blister Club.
Ours is also a 19 plate. We’ve only had it a couple of months and not even been able to camp in it yet!
I spoke with Mercedes Southampton who say they need to have it for a whole day so their paint specialist can do a full report.
Has anyone else had this as I assumed it would be a case of popping in for them to photograph it to begin the warranty claim.
Oh well, spring is nearly here and hopefully restrictions will start to ease so its not going to spoil our enjoyment of it.

 

[Grand Tourismo]

A general questions to everyone then:
Does anyone have a van that has not yet had a paint defect on the roof? If so what colour is your van?
Does this affect all colour variants?

 

[Steve B]

Steve, thank you.

My problem isn't so much the actual blisters, it's I raised the issue with Blackpool when the van was in warranty then after several phone calls that came to naught along came Covid, lockdown etc.

When Blackpool mercedes reopened and I followed it up I was informed that my warranty had expired during lockdown and they had no recollection of me ever broaching the subject. ie Tough!!

I see; I think keep going and put the pressure on, nothing to lose. They know your van is elligable/in the issue date range, they have replaced roofs there, its your word against theirs over your calls and Covid is in your favour if this ever went to a small claims court or the like.

And to Grand T, yes - 68 plate and black

 

[Craig]

Well after giving the MP a good clean I realised I am the latest member of the Blister Club.
Ours is also a 19 plate. We’ve only had it a couple of months and not even been able to camp in it yet!
I spoke with Mercedes Southampton who say they need to have it for a whole day so their paint specialist can do a full report.
Has anyone else had this as I assumed it would be a case of popping in for them to photograph it to begin the warranty claim.
Oh well, spring is nearly here and hopefully restrictions will start to ease so its not going to spoil our enjoyment of it.

Hi Blackrat, Ive also just joined the club and similar to you I bought a 19 plate in Jan and now have blisters however they were not there when I bought it but since I purchased it has been left outside through the snow, ice and frost that weve experienced so Im guessing thats the cause. Ive been asked by Mercedes Harrogate to drop it off for the day for inspection

 

[MLBJER]

I’ve just spotted some blisters as well on my 2018 MP. I’m only a few months shy of the warranty expiring so keen to get it resolved before then. Has anyone had any experience of Jacksons in Jersey with MPs and whether they have replaced any roofs yet?

 

[Lizziekenn]

2019 mp after reading all these complaints about roof blister over the years not glad to say we’ve joined the club, think it’s going to happen to all mp sorry to say

 

[Lizziekenn]

2019 mp after reading all these complaints about roof blister over the years not glad to say we’ve joined the club, think it’s going to happen to all mp sorry to say

 

[Lizziekenn]

That’s the blister club I mean not marcopolo club

 

[APL46]

I took my MP to Mercedes Poole for its first MOT this week as it is almost three years old. It is an iridium grey 250D sport. I did check the roof for blisters but couldn't see any! However, I did ask MB Poole to give the van a "good looking over" and they did spot a few very small blisters so they have ordered a new roof and replacing it under warranty. The chap at Poole I spoke said they had done quite a few now but were mainly the MP's that were painted black. They will need the car for 3 or 4 days but I am very pleased they spotted the blisters as in a few weeks time it would have been out of warranty. Having looked again, I can now see the blisters but they are tiny but will only get worse I guess if not dealt with. MB Poole said, he thought the problem lie in the way in which the roofs were prepared for painting at the factory. No quibble or argument from Mercedes Poole and if they hadn't spotted the blisters I would have been none the wiser. Not pleased about the blisters but pleased with MB Poole.

 

[Steve B]

It gets me that roofs were being replaced quite a while ago, and still new MP's are having the issue. A bad batch you can understand, but this has gone on for a couple of years.

 

[Grand Tourismo]

I’ve just spotted some blisters as well on my 2018 MP. I’m only a few months shy of the warranty expiring so keen to get it resolved before then. Has anyone had any experience of Jacksons in Jersey with MPs and whether they have replaced any roofs yet?

Given the response from APL46 just below your post maybe you might consider a day trip to Poole on the car ferry if you struggle getting a positive response from Jacksons.

 

[Paul Mc]

Yep - we have got a number of small blisters as well. Full credit to Sandown Poole - a quick check of the roof by one of the service guys and they have agreed to replace the roof. All in 5 minutes with no hassle, no photographs and if there is warranty claim paperwork then they will sort it all out. They need the van for one week and they need 3 weeks notice of when we want the work done - they are quite happy to work round us and when we want to use the van. The service guy did say they had seen this a couple of time already so I think they are now familiar with the problem.

Hi Rovimor
I have just discovered a small number of the dreaded roof blisters on my late 2018 Marco Polo.
MB Poole seem to have a good reputation for doing a good job replacing the MP roofs under warranty, but I was wondering if the replacements are starting to show any signs of the underlying defective fibreglass.
Did you receive an extended warranty on your replacement roof?
I don’t think that MB/Westfalia have ever admitted that there was an issue with their blistering roofs.
The thought of having to have multiple roof replacements, even under warranty, does not appeal!
Thanks
Paul Mc

 

[rovimor]

Hi Rovimor
I have just discovered a small number of the dreaded roof blisters on my late 2018 Marco Polo.
MB Poole seem to have a good reputation for doing a good job replacing the MP roofs under warranty, but I was wondering if the replacements are starting to show any signs of the underlying defective fibreglass.
Did you receive an extended warranty on your replacement roof?
I don’t think that MB/Westfalia have ever admitted that there was an issue with their blistering roofs.
The thought of having to have multiple roof replacements, even under warranty, does not appeal!
Thanks
Paul Mc

Hi Paul, we sold the vehicle not long after the roof was changed so can’t answer your query I’m afraid. MB Poole were confident that the problem wouldn’t recur - and at that time I don’t think there had been many cases of a second failure.

 

[Grand Tourismo]

Has anyone taken a roof in for review for possible replacement with a solar panel fitted? (I don't want MB to wriggle out on a technicality)

 

[Paul Cardiff]

Has anyone taken a roof in for review for possible replacement with a solar panel fitted? (I don't want MB to wriggle out on a technicality)

I have taken my panels off on both occasions to avoid risking it. I am sure they can see they have been there but interestingly the blisters were also underneath where the panels were located. They are easy to remove just a nuisance having to do so.

 

[Grand Tourismo]

I have taken my panels off on both occasions to avoid risking it. I am sure they can see they have been there but interestingly the blisters were also underneath where the panels were located. They are easy to remove just a nuisance having to do so.

Thanks Paul, OK I think it would be prudent to remove them....is it just a case of unplugging the panel or did you have to do something with the wiring/fuses to disconnect?