The answer to this question is simple. Because they don't have to!!! MB is required to make repairs under warranty, excluding wear and tear items. Once the car is out of warranty it's not their problem. I wouldn't be surprised if other manufacturers' follow suit within the next few years. It's a great strategy to increase profitability in the short term. With so many cars being leased, why on earth would they build a "car for life". MB doesn't care one bit about who's going to own that car five years from now.