Consumer complaint received 2025-02-24 00:00:00
Product: Vehicle loan or lease — Lease
Issue: Managing the loan or lease — Problem with fees charged
Company: Mercedes Benz Financial Services
State: TX

Complaint narrative:
I recently turned in my leased XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX on XX/XX/XXXX and I have received a statement indicating additional charges totaling {$8500.00}. I reached out to Mercedes Benz for a reduction or waiving a portion of the fees. 

When I entered the XXXX dealership on XX/XX/XXXX -after being prompted several times by the dealer that this transaction could not be completed without seeing my car- an appraisal was completed, and I was provided an estimated value toward my new lease. The dealer was eager to make an end of year sale, and implied they wanted my car that same day. He walked around my car, and there was no mention of additional fees. When I turned the car over to them, in my opinion, It was in as is condition, and I entered into a new lease with them on the same day, XX/XX/XXXX. 

I received the Condition Report on XX/XX/XXXX, 11 days after I turned in the car. The report states that I owe {$5000.00} for excess wear and tear, plus an additional {$3400.00}, which is unclear as to why. After speaking to a representative at Mercedes USA, it was noted that {$950.00} of that was for over mileage ( which Mercedes agreed to take on when starting my new lease ), leaving the remaining {$2500.00} unaccounted for, and with no clarification or breakdown as to what those charges are for. 

I am requesting the charges in the amount of {$2500.00} be removed completely for lack of evidence or specifications for what they are for. 
I am also writing to debate the charges to replace certain items at Mercedes cost versus market cost, and to also make the argument the " excess '' versus " normal '' wear and tear is unjustified. The report that details the " excess '' wear and tear, contains pictures too small to see in a clear view ( conditions report attached ). 

1 ) The cracked windshield, I had a deductible of {$250.00} and would have fixed if not for the urgency of the new sale to the dealership for the same day ; 2 ) I did misplace one of the key fobs and am willing to pay the fee to replace ; ( 3 ) The report that I received was POST turn in ; ( 4 ) Mercedes admitted the front headlamp was not broken, therefore agreed to remove that charge ; ( 5 ) Additional fees in the conditions report include overcharges for items Mercedes to replace, and the remaining items are considered normal wear and tear as the items are not larger than a credit card, which is what Mercedes deems as excessive ; 15 chips on the hood was deemed " excessive '', but all are smaller than a credit card, you can not see the chips in the picture well, and based on the contract, there is no specified amount of chips that deem this wear and tear excessive ; The print in the contract is extremely misleading and was not disclosed to me at the time I entered into my new contract ( 6 ) The tires are less than a year old- with receipts as evidence. Mercedes is overcharging {$1100.00} for new tires because they are " mismatched '' brands, but all in good working condition, and is not something I should be held accountable for ; ( 7 ) charges for excess mileage was not relayed to me at the turn in of my older vehicle, as the dealership implied that they would accept my car as is. Regardless, the amount of excess mileage would be XXXX over at {$0.00} per mile, per my contact- totaling {$2400.00} To summarize, the conditions report was provided to me in writing 11 days after my vehicle was turned in, therefore there was no documentation of the charges I still owed on the vehicle. 
The following items are attached : - Contract for XXXX Mercedes ; - Conditions Report for XXXX XXXX ; - Spreadsheet of charges from Mercedes Benz versus market value costs to replace items ; - Receipts for 4 tires less than a year old ; and - Proof of {$250.00} deductible to replace windshield if Mercedes had not pushed for same day sale After attempting to lower the charges and negotiate a settlement with Mercedes, they are requiring I still owe {$5900.00}.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation