What is it?
The possibility that SLK R171 Owners can experience corrosion/cracking issues, making the rear subframe.
What are the Consequences of a Corroded rear subframe?
The corrosion and cracking can cause instability in; handling, cornering and fast driving, resultant MOT Failure, and, in extreme situations, the collapse of the rear subframe .
MOT Tests?
In most cases, the first thing the owner knows about the corrosion is when the car fails the MOT, or, in some cases, when the subframe collapses.
Why doesn’t the corrosion get picked up on previous MOT’s?
The main issue is that the corrosion can start inside the subframe and corrodes its way out. So, by the time it is visible on the outside, it’s too late. The failures are usually under welded mountings so are difficult to identify on MOT’s.
What is the process for claiming?
General Methodology: Email – Mercedes Benz Customer Service UK (MBCS UK) and ask about getting the subframe inspected and possibly replaced?
Contact the local Dealership and Book the vehicle in for a Safety Check and Rear Subframe Inspection.
What does this entail and, what does it Cost?
The Dealership will generally offer you a time to bring the vehicle in for the inspection. The Inspection is generally carried out FOC (Free of Charge) the Dealership produces a video of the safety check and email it to the Owner.
What happens next?
This depends on the results of the inspection – If the subframe requires replacement, they pass on the results of the inspection on to MBCS UK, requesting authority to change the subframe due to the corrosion.
In most cases, if the subframe is seriously corroded and requires changing, the Dealership will retain the vehicle until the subframe has been replaced – this is for Safety Reasons. It is worth noting, that the owner may need to have to arrange transport to return home without their vehicle.
What happens when the vehicle is repaired?
There may be delays, as the quantity of subframes available in the country at any one time, can be limited and sometimes owners must wait for subframes, and/or components, to be delivered from the manufacturer.
What do owners do next?
It is suggested that owners should invest in an endoscope to check on the new subframe and, apply protection to the new subframe inside and out once it has been fitted, to ensure that the subframe does not corrode again.