Mercedes Service Intervals

I have a Mercedes Bourton Reg 1st March 2015 with 4100 miles on the clock. 
The service light has come on showing a spanner and 7d. Checking the handbook this means I need a Type A service within 7 days.
I was under the impression that service intervals were 2 years or 200000 miles.
I telephoned Midland Truck and Van main Merc commercial dealers in the West Midland. I spoke to a pleasant lady on service reception who asked the question for me. The reply from whoever she was speaking to was
 “The oil has indicators in it that tell computer that the oil is breaking down and wants changing due to the low mileage”.
They have quoted £130 + vat for a type A service which is a good price.
My query is am I being fed a load of bull___t.

Thoughts and experience gratefully received.

My 2011 Gloucester had the service indicator reset in July 2014 after service at 8500m, now 14800m. It hasn't reappeared yet.

Just check the service indicator and single spanner shows due in 20,000m time, oil OK.

Also discovered I can toggle headlights to run on engine start.

As I understand it engines these days have similar detectors to washing machines/dishwashers, muck in the oil is analysed via a light sensor. It triggers a service warning for vehicles when the oil gets claggy and on washers it allows the programme to adjust itself to suit the dish muck in the machine.

You need to check the date the base vehicle was built not the date the conversion by Autosleepers or the date you took delivery you may find that the vehicle is 2 years old, it could have been standing at Autosleepers a while prior to conversion, I had a similar thing with my previous van when the service spanner came on after I had had it only a year and it turned out that the vehicle had been built a year before I bought it and had been unsold at Marquis for months

 Thanks for your replies, this from the Merc website.
[size=36] Service Intervals[/size]
Van service intervals are determined by Mercedes-Benz ASSYST
Intelligent and innovative, Mercedes-Benz ASSYST alerts you when your van needs servicing. The system measures variables like oil quantity & quality, engine load, temperature and speed to determine the optimum time to service the vehicle. When a lubrication service is required, a single spanner lights up on the dashboard. When the van requires a maintenance service, two spanners light up.

Individual van's service intervals depend on how each van is driven

Thanks to Mercedes-Benz ASSYST, you’ll never over or under service your van again. Your vehicle knows when it needs a service to maintain optimal performance, which depends on a number of variables - your driving style, the type of roads you travel on.

For a full and accurate list of the parts that should be included in your next service, you can access the Electronic Service Sheet for your vehicle. Simply select your model, enter the registration date and download your Service Sheet.


Checked the build date of my chassis and it is August 2014 so getting close to the 2 year mark.


So will be booking the van in for a service very shortly.

Just had mine done similar price to JDS, believe that is less than a similar Peugeot/Fiat service.

That is a very fair price. I think from memory I paid more than that when I had my annual oil change. Yes I know it didn't get called up but I am a bit sad and can't cope with leaving oil over a year without changing it .

Good day Ploughlin, you've just helped me with same thing ref headlights on Winchcombe!! I was wondering how to get lights to stay on when engine running - also sussed out service interval symbols - moral of the story is RTFM!!