Guys....
just to clariy a point re Smart independant garages....
These are garages that are fully authorised by MB/Smart as they use genuine Smart parts
and oils etc, and have a genuine Star diagnostics machine (its actually a software program
on a laptop/pc, licence for which is circa £10k a year ! and that connects to the MB/Smart
network). The work they do will not invalidate any warrantee from MB/Smart. They are also
authorised to stamp your Service book, and it will be accepted by MB/Smart if there are any
warrantee issues.
The difference between these and an MB/Smart Dealer is they won't have a fancy showroom,
or snobby salesmen, or smartly dressed receptionists, but they'll know their way round your
cars and how to repair it far better than nearly every MB 'technician'..(They won't
just unbolt one part and slap on a new one)...and their labour charge is around 1/2 of MB.
These are not just any old backstreet garage, so if you do find one that paports to be an
'authorised' independant, get them to show you their certificate or prove that they
are what they claim to be, otherwise steer clear of them. If they are recommended by
another owner, and I mean 'well' recommended, then fair enough, but as has already been
said...they won't be 'authorised' to stamp your Service book to the satisfaction of MB/Smart.