[Woolly]

Hi Ian, welcome from NE England. Sorry to hear about your problem, but it does seem to be fairly common - especially in the boot/trunk of R170s. If you bought your car new in the UK, then you are covered under the 1979 Sale of Goods act, which states 'traders must sell goods that are as described and of satisfactory quality'. This applies for a period of 6 years after your purchase, and your claim is against the organisation you bought it from, not the manufacturer (hence why 'extended warranties' are a waste of money). Good luck.

 

[Woolly]

I know what you're thinking Eddy!!, so I'll answer your questions!!!

Some questions:

Is this is the R171?

Yes

. . .and have a 2005 SLK200 . .

Is the battery compartment located on the left side of the vehicle in the UK?

Yes

Is the lay out of the battery compartment the same as that in the US? (mirror image perhaps)

Yes

Is the drain-of interest located at the floor of the battery compartment, to which the overflow tube from the car battery also drains into?

Yes

Is this in a geographic area where leaves and small debris are prevalent from the local flora?

Don't know that one

 

[Woolly]

Perhaps a routine biweekly or monthly check/inspection to clear debris and leaves from the drain aft of the battery bay (by the engine bonnet/hood line) and also to remove the battery compartment cover to clear debris that may have found their way into the battery compartment would be a good maintenance/cleaning procedure.

. . . Or fitting a little grille in there would be a very good idea