Mercedes service book - Do you keep track of the service history?
It is recommended that you regularly have service carried out and registered on Mercedes cars in a service book, so that you can maintain the car’s warranty. However, if both mechanic and car owner should be able to access the service history it does matter which solution is used. Did you know that there are solutions other than the Mercedes service book? Find out more about the different solutions here.
What are the requirements for servicing a Mercedes?
Mercedes cars, like all other cars, need regular servicing. They typically follow the manufacturer’s instructions based on mileage since the last service – usually somewhere between 15,000 and 20,000 km. Alternatively, the car is called in for service based on an annual interval of typically every or every other year, if the car is not driven that much.
In 2008, Mercedes-Benz began the rollout of the Digital Service Booklet (DSB) with the Mercedes E and CLS classes at the time. Thus, the service history was gathered online in one central place and was available throughout the life of the car, eliminating the risk of it being lost or falsified.
It is important that the recommendations regarding service on Mercedes are observed, as this ensures that the car remains reliable and safe to drive. During a service inspection, a mechanic can spot any problems before they arise or cause further damage, as well as provide insight into any future repairs that may be necessary. Regular service on Mercedes also contributes to the car driving more economically by reducing fuel consumption, as the oil thus lubricates more optimally or ensures that the brakes do not seize.
As a car owner you are free to decide for yourself where to have your Mercedes serviced. However, you must be aware of which spare parts, oil etc. used in connection with service, as the warranty on the car may be voided if original/OE-approved spare parts are not used.
How does registering service on a Mercedes take place?
In the past, registration of service on Mercedes took place with a stamp in the paper service book, but Mercedes has long since moved away from this with the launch of their own electronic service book, DSB, in 2008. This eliminates some of the problems that previously arose if the service book was forgotten at home or lost, which meant that the service history was often incomplete. Of course, the car owner still receives an invoice after the service has been carried out, but very few people save these, and they can therefore rarely be used to get an overview of the service history.
Today, workshops – both Mercedes’ own, but also independent workshops – can register service on Mercedes in an online service book. However, it is not a requirement that you use Mercedes’ own digital service book.
As with all other cars, registration of service on Mercedes is a requirement if you want the warranty to be maintained. If you are involved in a warranty case, you as a car owner must be able to document that service intervals have been observed and that service has been carried out in accordance with the regulations with approved spare parts, oil etc.
Types of Mercedes service
Mercedes-Benz switches between different types of service depending on the age of the car and the wear and tear on the different parts of the car, where it is defined in advance which parts of the car must be serviced as a minimum. Here you can read more about the different types of service for Mercedes:
Mercedes A service
A standard service inspection is called A service at Mercedes. It is carried out for the first time after the car’s first year of life. This includes changing the oil filter, but a mechanic will also check brake components, coolant, washer fluid, tire pressure, lights and provide various safety updates to the car – of course according to the manufacturer’s instructions, and it will all be recorded in the car’s service book. When it’s time for an A service inspection, it will appear on the display on the Mercedes car and via the Mercedes me Service app, if this is used, and then the car just needs to go past a workshop and be inspected.
There are different types of Mercedes A service, such as A1, A3 and A9 service.
Mercedes B service
A “B service” inspection on Mercedes is more extensive than an A service. It is more than just changing the engine oil and oil filter. When a Mercedes undergoes this type of service, brake components will also be checked, as well as coolant, sprinkler system, tires, lights, steering, profile belt and other safety updates. This is of course according to the factory’s regulations and the car’s service book. When it is time for the B service, this will also appear on the Mercedes car’s display.
There are different types of Mercedes B service, such as B3, B5 and B7 service.
Mercedes' digital service book
The Mercedes Digital Service Booklet is Mercedes’ own digital service book, which ensures documentation of service performed during the lifetime of Mercedes cars. This documentation can be accessed online by authorized as well as independent workshops when the car needs servicing. In addition, it is possible for the car owner to gain access via a form at Mercedes.
Mercedes service history
As previously mentioned, it is good to be able to document the service history of a Mercedes if, for example, comes to a warranty case. However, there are several other relevant reasons why you should keep track of your Mercedes service history. If you are employed at a workshop, it can be advantageous to know a car’s service history, so that you know what has previously been carried out in terms of service and any repairs. This gives you the best conditions for providing the right service to the customer as well as troubleshooting and diagnosing the car when you, for example, know which of the car’s parts have previously been replaced or which could face replacement.
If you are a Mercedes owner or are planning to buy a used Mercedes, a complete Mercedes service record can help ensure that the car is traded for the right price, as it provides greater assurance that the car is well maintained and that there are no has fiddled with the trip counter to give the car an artificially low mileage.
Mercedes service book vs. Digital Servicebook
However, there are also other valid options for registering service on Mercedes, which are easier and more accessible to both workshops and car owners. Digital Servicebook is a Danish-developed software platform that makes the old paper service books and other digital service books redundant. With Digital Servicebook, the service history for Mercedes (and all other car brands) is gathered in one platform, one single solution.
Digital Servicebook is recommended by e.g. Danish Automotive Council and is used today by more than 2,000 workshops across the Nordic region.
For car owners
No more having to remember the paper service book when it’s time for service or the hassle of saving old invoices to keep some sort of overview. Digital Servicebook is always close at hand and available both on PC and in a mobile app. In addition, previous services from other digital or paper service books or old invoices can be added to the service history, so that it is collected in one place for all the car owner’s cars.
Pros for car owners:
- Valid documentation of service history
- Reminder about upcoming service via SMS
- Higher resale value of the car
- Prevents odometer fraud
For workshops
Mechanics can also benefit from using the Digital Servicebook. There is a lot of time saved by registering service in the Digital Servicebook compared to the car manufacturers’ electronic service books. Digital Servicebook has integration with a wide range of workshop systems, making it easy to transfer service data from the invoice to Digital Servicebook.
Pros for workshops:
- Faster registration of service
- Full access to service history of all cars
- OE data and campaign searches
- Upload service photos directly from the phone
Try Digital Servicebook today
Have you wanted to try Digital Servicebook? See the clear advantages for you – regardless of whether you are a car owner or a mechanic – by pressing the buttons below.
Are you a car owner?
Car owners can register their car(s) for free with Digital Servicebook. It is simple and easy to get started. Read more via the link below!
Are you a mechanic?
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