News

The joy (or not) of electric car ownership
Can you afford one? Most people can't.
Thinking of buying a used Mercedes? During the pandemic prices of second hand cars increased significantly, mainly because new cars were in short supply. The supply chain has now recovered and prices are starting to normalise but the new challenge is whether to buy a conventional car with an internal combustion engine or to take the leap and buy an electric vehicle. Thereâs lots of data out there now to suggest that buying an electric vehicle as an individual with limited resources is only vi...
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OUR THOUGHTS ON ULEZ EXPANSION.
ULEZ. Well, here we are a few months into the expansion of the ULEZ zone and hence this business being swallowed within its dark chasm. We at Colin Ferns Ltd were, and indeed still are, vehemently opposed to this expansion and hereâs why: 1. The consultation process was risible. The fact that the consultation existed at all was extremely poorly promulgated and of those that did know about it and responded, a significant majority were against the expansion. When q...
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ULEZ expansion across Greater London
It must be stopped
Are you aware that the Ultra Low Emmision Zone (ULEZ) is being expanded at the end of August 2023? Here at Colin Ferns Ltd we are strongly opposed to Mayor Khan's expansion of the ULEZ zone to cover all London Boroughs. There are 14 million people in Greater London but only 8 million get to vote in the Mayoral elections. This means that 6 million people are having the Mayor's will imposed upon them without representation and this is undemocratic. The impact this ULEZ will have does not ...
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Choosing an Independent Mercedes Specialist
OK, so you’ve realised that the main dealer is offering less for more and that if you want an expensive cup of coffee you can easily go to CostaBuck but how do you choose which independent Mercedes specialist to go to? Obviously for a lot of people convenience is going to be a big player and so you will be looking at the closest one to your home or workplace. It’s a fact that there is a significant cost to the garage that offers free collection and delivery and man...
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Buying A Used Mercedes
If you’ve already decided to buy a used Mercedes, chances are you already have a particular model in mind. How you approach your purchase depends on the age of the vehicle you are considering, but many points apply to both recent models and classics. Where to Buy A Used Mercedes? Options range from private sellers, auctions, roadside used car dealers, & Mercedes main dealers. As we do here at Colin Ferns Ltd, independent Mercedes specialists will periodically offer quality used...
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New Mercedes Workshop Extension
As anyone who has visited our premises in Richmond will testify, there is good reason why we describe our Mercedes workshop as Tardis-like. From the narrow entrance between gentile houses on Raleigh Road, the workshop opens up to provide space for up to 14 cars in a very compact yet functional layout. This however is about to change! As you will see from the photo, after several months of renovation work following the purchase of an adjoining building, we are in the final stages of expand...
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Taking Your Car Abroad
The Channel Tunnel and good ferry links have made access to mainland Europe easier than ever and with more and more people choosing to take their car abroad, it’s crucial to ensure you’ve got everything covered to prevent any disruptions to your holiday. Before you head off, check with your insurance company that you have the required cover for European roads. Make sure you tell them exactly which countries you intend visiting. They will issue you with a document generally known as ...
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Classic Mercedes Restoration
There’s no denying that Mercedes-Benz is one of the premier automotive marques in the world. With so many classic models from the German car maker to choose from, you’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to selecting just one for classic Mercedes restoration. The journey of restoring a classic Mercedes model will begin by selecting a model that best fits your interests. You may have a particular model in mind, but how do you know which one is right for you? And once you g...
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10 Tips For Trouble Free Summer Motoring
Whether you’re just popping out for Sunday afternoon drive in the sunshine, or heading away for the annual family summer holiday, a little pre-planning and preparation for your summer motoring can be the difference between an enjoyable excursion, or the journey from hell. The type of car you’re driving can have an impact on the enjoyment of your trip, but our 10 tips below apply to any motorist in any vehicle, and while many might seem obvious, many people end up on the ha...
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Mercedes Main Dealer Servicing Or Independent Garage?
When you buy a new Mercedes-Benz car, there is the assumption that you must have a Mercedes main dealer service and maintain the vehicle. As you know, all new cars come with a manufacturer’s warranty and many people believe that if you have your car serviced by an independent garage it will invalidate that warranty. The thing is, that statement is not true. While it’s true that most warranty repairs can only get carried out by an authorised Mercedes-Benz dealer, having rou...
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Why Fit Genuine Mercedes Parts?
We always recommend genuine Mercedes parts where possible, the reasons for which I’ll come onto in a moment. Customers however, frequently ask if a cheaper pattern option is available to save money. This is often a false economy. Mercedes by its nature and pedigree is a prestige brand that deserves the best care and attention not only when fresh out of the showroom, but for the rest of it’s life. As Mercedes specialists, we see a range of different models passing thr...
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Mercedes Storage – 10 Tips to Protect Your Car This Winter
For many people, a classic Mercedes is a cherished item that is used only in good weather, and to that end, many people choose to store their car over the winter to prevent damage from water and salt. Vehicle storage however is not as straightforward as simply parking your car in your garage and closing the door behind you. Cars are generally stored for either extended periods of a year or more, or for a few months only, for example over the winter. Whatever your reason for Mercedes storage, th...
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