First Service

[scarey]

iv got to that magic one year with my platinum. very happy with it, bought a few add ons for it. im on that hire purchase thing over 3years, so i asked my dealer where can i go for a service, they said i can only go to a vantage toyota for all of my services. its gona cost me £131.00 for my first service!! and £220.00 for my second service. is it just me or is that a rip off. does anyone know if i can go else where. my sister works at a mitsubishi garage, she says she can get me one for £70. would i break my terms with toyota if i went there?

[daveyjp]

Go where you like as long as the garage is VAT registered and they use genuine parts, main dealers can't turn down warranty claims. What they may not be willing to offer is goodwill payments after the warranty expires.

Try a few other Toyota main dealers - 1st service costs of around £100 are not unknown.

[another_pleb]

Would I break my terms with toyota if I went there?

This really depends on the terms and conditions of the HP agreement that you signed. The dealer may have a clause that all services must be carried out by them (and at their prices) for the duration of the contract. There could be a penalty charge if you don't hold up your end of the contract.

Check the paperwork.

[Jamesbelfast]

As already said to retain your warranty it is not a requirement to have recognised dealer to carry out servicing as long as the garage doing the work is VAT registered and genuine parts and materials are used and also the service is in accordance with the specifications set out by the manufacturer. This right is clearly set out under EU regulations.

For peace of mind it is also wise to use a garage that is registered with a recognised motor trade association.

Personally I don't think £131 or £220 for servicing is extortionate - wlecome to the real world of the motor industry.:)

I wish my dentist was that cheap.:)

[AygoYugo]

Ive got to that magic one year with my platinum. Its gona cost me £131.00 for my first service!! and £220.00 for my second service. is it just me or is that a rip off.

It's a rip off.

First service is usually £90 - and that's a rip off. It's only an oil and oil filter change with a visual check of brakes, lights and steering. It can be done while you wait - in less than one hour.

Second year / 20,000 mile service is £165.

Seek alternatives but don't breach the warranty.

[Red Yaris 54]

iv got to that magic one year with my platinum. very happy with it, bought a few add ons for it. im on that hire purchase thing over 3years, so i asked my dealer where can i go for a service, they said i can only go to a vantage toyota for all of my services. its gona cost me £131.00 for my first service!! and £220.00 for my second service. is it just me or is that a rip off. does anyone know if i can go else where. my sister works at a mitsubishi garage, she says she can get me one for £70. would i break my terms with toyota if i went there?

If you bought your car on a Personal Contract Purchase (PCP) scheme, Toyota and the dealer may well have written into the agreement that you must have the car serviced by an "Approved Toyota Service Centre"

This is done to ensure the dealer that the car has been maintained to TOYOTA specifications throughout the time that you have been the registered keeper.................(Under a PCP you do not OWN the car untill it is fully paid for)

You really should check what you have agreed to.

[Jamesbelfast]

Ive got to that magic one year with my platinum. Its gona cost me £131.00 for my first service!! and £220.00 for my second service. is it just me or is that a rip off.

It's a rip off.

First service is usually £90 - and that's a rip off. It's only an oil and oil filter change with a visual check of brakes, lights and steering. It can be done while you wait - in less than one hour.

Second year / 20,000 mile service is £165.

Seek alternatives but don't breach the warranty.

To be realistic it may be worth calculating the cost of the oil and filter plus one hours labour to see if in fact it is a rip-off. Many dealers charge £70 per hour (or more in some cases) so that would leave £20 for oil and filter.:)

[PaulT]

I live in the expensive south east and paid £77 for the 10k service and £176 for the 20k service. Might be worth looking round for a better price.

Paul.

[ihpj]

I live in the expensive south east and paid £77 for the 10k service and £176 for the 20k service. Might be worth looking round for a better price.

What I don't understand is why people don't opt for the Toyota UK backed service plans? When I bought my Blue [spanking new] just a few months ago, I paid £520 for the 5 year Service Plan. I paid up front, fixed my costs and know that in Years 4 and 5 when the MOT will be due the, Service Plan picks up that cost too (as long as the MOT is done at a Toyota Main Dealer).

So even with the cheapest cost of services given above, the plan works out much cheaper:

(77 x 3) + (176 x 2) = £583.

[Unklian]

I live in the expensive south east and paid £77 for the 10k service and £176 for the 20k service. Might be worth looking round for a better price.

What I don't understand is why people don't opt for the Toyota UK backed service plans? When I bought my Blue [spanking new] just a few months ago, I paid £520 for the 5 year Service Plan. I paid up front, fixed my costs and know that in Years 4 and 5 when the MOT will be due the, Service Plan picks up that cost too (as long as the MOT is done at a Toyota Main Dealer).

So even with the cheapest cost of services given above, the plan works out much cheaper:

(77 x 3) + (176 x 2) = £583.

Correct.

(If they do the work).

I paid up front. 1st service, pretty much an oil change done properly.

2nd service. £193.00 worth..........just the oil & filter changed.

(I know because I'm a pedantic old **** and marked up everything that should have been moved / adjusted / changed.

They've got your money now.

They're a business, not your buddies.

The service plan is administered by a 3rd party with massive cancellation fees.

They don't care about your car either.

Do it properly yourself if you can.

Small independent where you can watch the work being done if not.

People don't mind if they have nothing to hide and have a bit of pride in their work.

Ian.

[ihpj]

Correct.

(If they do the work).

.....

They've got your money now.

They're a business, not your buddies.

The service plan is administered by a 3rd party with massive cancellation fees.

They don't care about your car either.

Do it properly yourself if you can.

Small independent where you can watch the work being done if not.

I don't intend to cancel, so cancellation fees are irrelevant :)

All plans are administered by Third Party Companies, however I have a Toyota UK one - so I am free to use ANY Toyota Centre for servicing, rather being tied to just one franchise.

As for quality of service - I don't care. Because if the car breaks (especially if it is within its 3 year warranty) I take it back to them and let them fix it. I honestly don't care if they even change the oil/filter ... because when it breaks - its their problem, not mine. I have a reciept to say it was serviced and a stamp in the service book saying they have done the relevant job(s). Why should I worry? All this stressing about 'do they do a good job' or 'have they done it right' ... all irrelevant. You have a warranty and record of service having been done. If it breaks, make it their problem and not yours.

I don't trust Indy's and you have very little comeback against such garages if something major should happen. These are generally sole trader businesses that, if you need to sue for large sums of money, can simply declare themselves bankrupt and then where do you go? No I'd rather take my chance with the Multinational that is Toyota UK thank you :)

[Unklian]

As for quality of service - I don't care.

I do. :D

[AygoYugo]

To be realistic it may be worth calculating the cost of the oil and filter plus one hours labour to see if in fact it is a rip-off. Many dealers charge £70 per hour (or more in some cases) so that would leave £20 for oil and filter.:)

I used to take my old Escort to Kwik Fit for an oil and filter change -

it cost 20 quid and was done in 20 minutes.

Of course it's a rip off - that's why they lower the price after 3 years because the warranty has expired and people are more likely to go elsewhere.