What do you think of Elon Musk? Have your say | No thanks
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/
Similar questions
I have a strange query. It was incredibly hot yesterday and I used the air conditioning on faster roads and opened the windows in 30mph zones. I thought the car looked dirty and got it washed and dried...
The air-conditioning of my wife's 2003 Honda Civic 1.6 VTEC auto packed up recently and I have been quoted a figure of £391 to fix it by our Honda dealer. Apparently there is a coolant leak and the condenser...
I have a 2002 Vauxhall Zafira 1.8 petrol and it has three faults. The front fog lamps don't work. They are fitted and plugged in. Also, the rear fog lamps don't work - I have checked and replaced the bulbs....
Related models
.jpg?width=115&height=75&rmode=crop)
Raised driving position, lots of interior room, decent diesel engines, good ride quality on smaller wheels.
Elsewhere on 
.jpg)
