A Mercedes-Benz is an expensive investment and while insurance protects against loss or damage due to accidents, it is still vulnerable to mechanical problems which can be costly to repair. While Mercedes-Benz has superlative quality standards, a car is still a machine, still mass produced and therefore can suffer mechanical failures (though statistically lower than for other brands).

For those who buy a brand new Mercedes-Benz from an authorised dealer, there's a 2-year factory warranty which covers virtually everything and provides for repair or replacement of anything which is a manufacturing defect.

But what happens after that warranty period ends? That's when the owner will have to pay for whatever parts are in need of replacement if they fail. The longer the car is kept, the greater the chances of some unexpected expense occurring due to a part failing since things do wear out eventually.

The Mercedes-Benz Star Protection Plan is available for all models from the A-Class to the S-Class for a premium starting at RM4, 000.00 onwards. It protects against unforseen repairs in the future and is also transferable, which ultimately increases the resale value of the vehicle.

"When we were developing this package, we made sure that our customers have total convenience and when they make any claims or repairs, they need not deal with any other party except the authorised Mercedes-Benz dealer in Malaysia," he told MTM.

He confirmed that while the Star Protection Plan provides coverage comparable to the original warranty, like most other extended warranties of this nature, there are some terms and conditions and one of them is that a couple of items are excluded, namely the leather upholstery and the audio system.

Mr Mueller did not foresee any confusion regarding claims, something which has been known to occur in certain cases of extended warranties offered by other companies. Owners had been told they have a longer warranty without it being made clear that the additional period was provided by a third party which, in its terms and conditions, omitted some items. Thus, the extended warranty was not really identical in coverage as the original factory one and when customers made a claim, they were shocked to be told certain items were not covered.

"In the brochure we have prepared on the Star Protection Plan, everything is made very clear in simple language to customers so they are fully aware of the terms and conditions," Mr Mueller said, adding that sales representatives have been thoroughly briefed on the plan and will ensure that customers are given complete information.

The Mercedes-Benz Star Protection Plan is applicable for all Mercedes-Benz vehicles purchased from authorised Mercedes-Benz dealers but they must be registered for private use only (which means company cars are not eligible).  For used Mercedes-Benz vehicles, there must be no less than 6 months of the manufacturer's warranty remaining and the vehicle should have travelled less than 80,000 kms. Presumably, unlike taking medical insurance, the vehicle does not need to go for a check-up as well!

The Mercedes-Benz Star Protection Plan is available at all Mercedes-Benz dealers nationwide. More information can be obtained from the dealers or by calling MBM's Customer Care Centre at 1-800-88-1133. You can also go to www.mercedes-benz.com.my to know more about the plan as well as Mercedes-Benz products and services in Malaysia.