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Subject Topic: Towing worries
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Persontabatha
11/2/2018 at 2:42pm
 Location: North Lincolnshire
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We used a main Mercedes dealer in north London.

I wont say which one at this point in time.

My husband chased them up again this morning and again explained our concerns.

To be honest they really don't seem that interested.

It's really simple no VIN weight = no towing.

An absolute nightmare, we would never have parted with our car for one we couldn't tow with. Our original car had a beautiful spec and it's taken months to track down one as equally nice. Now even if they agree to change the car we will be left with a car we paid a lot of money for but won't have the same spec. I say this as I have scoured MB approved website and fail to see another with the correct spec.

It may seem we are being fussy but we worked hard, retired and decided to treat ourselves to a lovely car. MB will not be getting our custom in future, we feel badly informed and grossly let down.


Personmdb123
11/2/2018 at 3:57pm
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I remember one of my colleagues having a similar problem when looking at an E class estate a few years ago. If I remember correctly Mercedes have placed the Ad blue tank on this model wher the tow bar would fit and therefore it’s not type approved. He went for an E220D AMG model which was fine and made a good tow car.

I agree with other members speak to Mercedes UK as dealers knowledge in towing is normally really poor.



Persontabatha
11/2/2018 at 5:01pm
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Thanks for your response.

We will call MB technical support at Milton Keynes first thing tomorrow, they were closed over the weekend.


Persontabatha
12/2/2018 at 1:31pm
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Well the saga continues!

After contacting MB Technical support this morning, they say the car is able to tow 2100kg.

They say as there is no gross train weight given on the VIN plate or the V5 they cannot confirm that we can tow LEGALLY.

The level of customers service, or should I say lack of customer service regarding this is shocking!!

Our dealer keeps saying we can tow (according to their technical guidance) and refuses to acknowledge we would be towing illegally because the lack of weight on vin plate and V5. This is an impossible situation.

we will never again buy a MB - never!! We have a car we cannot tow with so either we sell our car and loose thousands doing so or sell our trailer tent that we only bought brand new last year.

Buying this bloody car has turned into a nightmare.


PersonRob and Tina
12/2/2018 at 2:21pm
 Location: Royal Forest of Dean
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Sorry to hear you are still stuck in this situation.

I think you need to get in touch with the DVSA and get something in writing about the VIN plate not showing a GTW so that the car is not suitable for towing. The .gov website gives information but sometimes this information is incorrect so best to get the true situation in writing from DVSA and present the dealer and MB with the evidence.

Have a look here:
https://www.gov.uk/towing-with-car/weight-and-width-limits

It clearly states:
If your VIN plate doesn’t list a train weight, you should not use your vehicle for towing.

I hope you manage to resolve this soon, we have often found that we know more about the cars than the salesman and have had to re educate them on several occassions when they have given wrong/dangerous information.

Let us know how you get on.

Rob


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woodman2
12/2/2018 at 5:06pm
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Quote: Originally posted by tabatha on 12/2/2018
Well the saga continues!

After contacting MB Technical support this morning, they say the car is able to tow 2100kg.

They say as there is no gross train weight given on the VIN plate or the V5 they cannot confirm that we can tow LEGALLY.

The level of customers service, or should I say lack of customer service regarding this is shocking!!

Our dealer keeps saying we can tow (according to their technical guidance) and refuses to acknowledge we would be towing illegally because the lack of weight on vin plate and V5. This is an impossible situation.

we will never again buy a MB - never!! We have a car we cannot tow with so either we sell our car and loose thousands doing so or sell our trailer tent that we only bought brand new last year.

Buying this bloody car has turned into a nightmare.





Tabatha,

You have my sympathy.

Don't throw the towel in just yet.

As I have the same car, I have today called the tow bar company that fitted it three years ago (Salop Towing - Shrewsbury).

They are making further enquiries and will get back to me.

When I hear from them I will let you know.

The Permissible Towing Weight is also blank on my plate, so I am also concerned.

The owners manual states 2100kg.


woodman2
12/2/2018 at 5:27pm
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Just for clarification, the gov.uk website states

.Most cars have a maximum weight they can tow. It’s usually listed in the handbook or specification sheet. Alternatively the vehicle’s ‘gross train weight’ may be listed on the vehicle identification number (VIN) plate on the car. This is normally under the bonnet or inside the driver’s door.

I read this to mean that as long as it states the maximum weight in the owners manual it is legal even though it is not stated on the plate.


PersonRob and Tina
12/2/2018 at 5:46pm
 Location: Royal Forest of Dean
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That website also says:
"If your VIN plate doesn’t list a train weight, you should not use your vehicle for towing."

That's why I suggested written clarification from the DVSA to give the correct position regarding VIN plates, V5 details and handbooks.

Rob


woodman2
12/2/2018 at 6:02pm
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Quote: Originally posted by Rob and Tina on 12/2/2018
That website also says:
"If your VIN plate doesn’t list a train weight, you should not use your vehicle for towing."

That's why I suggested written clarification from the DVSA to give the correct position regarding VIN plates, V5 details and handbooks.

Rob

I agree. Very misleading.


Persontabatha
12/2/2018 at 7:49pm
 Location: North Lincolnshire
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Thank you for the advice and sympathy.

MB telephoned us this afternoon and they say they are making further enquiries with their tech team.

They are still insisting the vehicle will tow 2100kg even though our owners manual states our model E220 Blue TEC SE cannot be towed with and the VIN gross train weight states ---.
Do you have a weight on your V5 Woodman2? we can't check our V5 as MB have sent it to DVLA.

My husband has emailed an on line website called "Ask the police" they have replied back and confirmed that if no gross train weight is shown the vehicle shouldn't be towed with! We will use this further information with MB tomorrow.


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woodman2
13/2/2018 at 8:18am
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Good Morning Tabatha,

Just checked my V5 and can confirm it is blank regarding towing capacity.

As soon as I hear back from Salop Towing I will post response.


Persontabatha
13/2/2018 at 9:48am
 Location: North Lincolnshire
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Oh dear, that's not good.

Our owners manual for e class estates on page 193 lists vehicles that cannot be towed with.

If you have your manual perhaps you should check this.

The problem we are having is MB says our car is capable of towing 2100kg according to their data but legally we can't!

Arrrrgh....it really is not good enough.

I'm sorry if my posting our problem has now caused you concern and worry.


woodman2
13/2/2018 at 10:40am
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Page 193 is not to do with towing in my manual.

How old is the car you purchased?


Persontabatha
13/2/2018 at 12:03pm
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It's a 64 plate!


woodman2
13/2/2018 at 12:32pm
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Quote: Originally posted by tabatha on 13/2/2018
It's a 64 plate!


Mine is an 11 plate.

I have had confirmation from the National Trailer & Towing Association, and the C&CC that my vehicle should never had had a tow bar fitted.

The absence of a weight shown on the VIN plate is game set and match as far as they are both concerned.

Still waiting for a response from the tow bar company.

As it happens we were going to change the car anyway, but this has just sped things up a bit.


Persontabatha
13/2/2018 at 1:56pm
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So sorry to hear that Woodman2.

I feel really bad about raising the issue in the first place now, but as my other half just said, how many other MB drivers are out there and not realising they towing illegally!

We chased our dealer again and they now seem to be accepting what we are saying it true. They are looking at sourcing another vehicle for us, or us having back our px MB Coupe. TBH we just want our car and money back, we prefer to source our own as we have no confidence in their ability to provide us with a car we can actually tow with.

I hope things work out for you finding a new car.



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