Mercedes hood star broken, bent or stolen: what to do

The standing Mercedes star sits right at the front of the bonnet, so now and then it gets knocked, bent or snapped off, and sometimes it simply disappears overnight. The good news: the star is held by a simple mount, and fitting a new one is usually a job of a few minutes. Below: what to check, what to do after a theft, how to make theft less likely and how to get a genuine replacement.

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1. Bent, wobbly or snapped: what to check

A standing star is designed to give way. UN ECE Regulation No 26 requires added ornaments that project more than 10 mm to retract, come off or bend over when pushed with a force of 10 daN (roughly the weight of 10 kg). That is why a healthy star tips over and springs back upright. Check these points:

• The star itself. Does it stand straight, fold when you push it and spring back? If it stays crooked or flops around, the spring or the joint in the base is usually worn. Those sit inside the star, so the simple fix is a new star.
• Bent or snapped. Don't try to bend a star back into shape: the metal and the joint can crack. Replace it instead.
• The base and the paint. Look for scratches or cracks around the base. A genuine star has a plastic pad under the base that protects the paint.
• The mount under the bonnet. Open the bonnet and look at the retaining clip under the star and any rubber grommet. Replace damaged or corroded parts rather than forcing a new star in.

2. Star stolen? A few practical steps

1. Take photos of the empty opening and the bonnet around it, including any scratches.
2. Check the opening and the clip underneath. If only the star is gone and the mount is intact, a new star normally goes straight in.
3. Insurance and police. Whether a report or a claim makes sense depends on your policy and on the damage. Check your policy or ask your insurer what they need, and compare the price of a new star with your excess before you claim.

3. Making theft less likely

No trick makes a standing star theft-proof, but common sense helps: park in a garage, on a driveway or in a well-lit spot where you can, and glance at the star now and then, for example after a car wash, so you notice damage early. Keep a photo of your star and its base; it makes ordering the right replacement easier.

4. Why a genuine star

The star we sell is a genuine Mercedes-Benz part, A 240 880 01 88, supplied in original Mercedes-Benz packaging, with the spring mechanism and the protective pad under the base. Copies can look the same in photos but may lack that pad.

5. Fitting the new star

Release the clip under the bonnet with a quarter turn, lift the old star out, put the new one in and lock it again. The full step-by-step, with tips to protect your paint, is in our guide Mercedes-Benz hood star: how to replace it.

6. Ordering

Quick fit check: compare your current star and its base (or a photo of them) with the photos on the product page. If they match, it fits. When you order, enter your car model and year in the order field. When in doubt, send us a photo of your bonnet via our contact page and we'll gladly take a look.

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Further reading

Replacing your Mercedes hood star · Standing hood star or grille star? · Genuine Mercedes-Benz hood star · All emblems · Contact

Sources: UN ECE Regulation No 26 on external projections, para. 6.1.1 (EUR-Lex); retaining clip and grommets: MercedesMedic, DIY hood ornament replacement.