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Why is my Mercedes-Benz B-Class' faulty air conditioning condenser so expensive to replace?
I have been told by my local Mercedes-Benz garage that the air-conditioning unit in my 2010 B-Class doesn't work because the condenser was damaged by a stone thrown up from the road. The original repair quote was in excess of £1000 but the most recent offer is £800. Why is this not considered a design fault, repaired free of charge and investigated by engineers? And why such an astronomical cost?
Asked on 29 September 2012 by DB, West Wickham
Answered by
Honest John
Air conditioning condensers are vulnerable in a lot of cars. Car makers aren’t interested in making them less vulnerable because they make money out of supplying replacements. But a condenser is a mass-produced component which won't differ much from a Ford to a Ferrari. A specialist should be able to do this job for about £400. Try someone here: www.honestjohn.co.uk/faq/air-conditioning/
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