Greetings group,
My good friend, a NO "techno geek" has a 02 CL 500, his pride and joy, owned for the last 5 years, has developed a fault, dash states ABC fault, the service agent stated there is no chance of a Mercedes replacement... Can anyone assist in either a replacement or some one who can repair? The car is not fully on its ****, but he prefers not to risk driving it. Any guidance or advice would be of a great assistance!!!
Cheers
Rob

 

Try to get a part number from the service agent or parts department - if it's not available to order, they shouldn't have a problem giving out the number. If not, get a description of the part - perhaps I can find the part number if I can also have the VIN number. There's a possibility that there are dealers in the country that have the part but are unwilling to sell them to other dealers - or it is for sure no longer available, then you use the part number for aftermarket purposes OR to find one on eBay or Amazon or what have you.

I've personally had a string of customers over the last few months become exasperated because parts for their 20+ year old vehicle are not available. Manufacturers will only produce parts that are still making them a profit. If a particular part is more expensive to produce in mass than their profit of selling them, then they'll just turn off the machines and sell out what they have left and call it good. Manufacturers are under no legal obligation to continue to manufacture parts for vehicles that are no longer in production. Especially vehicles that are essentially from another age of automotive history; which, 10 years is a long time for cars nowadays. Theoretically that 02 CL 500 has lived 2 lifetimes, and its continued survival is a testament to the product, but don't count of Mercedes-Benz being supportive in keeping it alive or working properly.