Unsatisfactory Service

[johnan]

As I have just had my second, 20000 miles, service done at my local MrT, which was done under a service plan but would have cost about £250 as a one off charge, I thought I would check as far as I can what had been done.

No detailed list of work done was given at completion, which I would have liked but basically the service should involve oil/filter change, brake fluid change, air conditioning filter change (according to my owners handbook),top up of coolant and washer fluids, wheels off to check brakes/discs and the usual health and safety checks underneath and corrosion checks.

I know for a fact my air conditioning filter has not been changed (it is still dirty) and it looks to me like the brake fluid has not been changed.

The oil/filter have been changed and the coolant topped up.

I took the wheels off myself last week to check all the brakes and there was negligible wear to the pads or discs and the whole job took about 30 minutes.

I also asked them to investigate the rust trail due to the rusting component in the hatch handle but their answer was "nothing evident, customer to monitor".Thanks.

So what have they done to justify £2-300 of expediture?

Basically change the oil and filter and have a look round to make sure nothing is falling off.(They also said the car was too dirty for full inspection..not good enough for that sort of money, and it wasn't dirty anyway)

Sorry for going on, this annoys me, but I am wary about confronting the service manager in case I become a "marked man" in future dealings, and perhaps this is the norm these days and I am expecting too much.

Toyota service is supposed to be good...what must the service from other manufactures dealerships be like, that are lower down in the customer satisfaction lists!?

The people involved are lovely folk, well presented, mannerly and helpful, so no complaints there.They just don't do everything they should do and charge too much for not doing it.

[RichE]

If I were you I'd take it straight back. Ask for a list of everything that was done, and point out the air con filter.

I'd mention about the car being dirty too, if its dirty they can wash it.

They washed the Auris on occasions when we have taken it to the dealer...

[marcandsebe]

As I have just had my second, 20000 miles, service done at my local MrT, which was done under a service plan but would have cost about £250 as a one off charge, I thought I would check as far as I can what had been done.

No detailed list of work done was given at completion, which I would have liked but basically the service should involve oil/filter change, brake fluid change, air conditioning filter change (according to my owners handbook),top up of coolant and washer fluids, wheels off to check brakes/discs and the usual health and safety checks underneath and corrosion checks.

I know for a fact my air conditioning filter has not been changed (it is still dirty) and it looks to me like the brake fluid has not been changed.

The oil/filter have been changed and the coolant topped up.

I took the wheels off myself last week to check all the brakes and there was negligible wear to the pads or discs and the whole job took about 30 minutes.

I also asked them to investigate the rust trail due to the rusting component in the hatch handle but their answer was "nothing evident, customer to monitor".Thanks.

So what have they done to justify £2-300 of expediture?

Basically change the oil and filter and have a look round to make sure nothing is falling off.(They also said the car was too dirty for full inspection..not good enough for that sort of money, and it wasn't dirty anyway)

Sorry for going on, this annoys me, but I am wary about confronting the service manager in case I become a "marked man" in future dealings, and perhaps this is the norm these days and I am expecting too much.

Toyota service is supposed to be good...what must the service from other manufactures dealerships be like, that are lower down in the customer satisfaction lists!?

The people involved are lovely folk, well presented, mannerly and helpful, so no complaints there.They just don't do everything they should do and charge too much for not doing it.

Any hints to the Toyota dealer. And that's why I always use a local independent garage. Trouble is. With a 5 year warrantee, you are tied to Toyota. I thought the whole point of the iQ, is reasonably cheap motoring.

[johnan]

As I have just had my second, 20000 miles, service done at my local MrT, which was done under a service plan but would have cost about £250 as a one off charge, I thought I would check as far as I can what had been done.

No detailed list of work done was given at completion, which I would have liked but basically the service should involve oil/filter change, brake fluid change, air conditioning filter change (according to my owners handbook),top up of coolant and washer fluids, wheels off to check brakes/discs and the usual health and safety checks underneath and corrosion checks.

I know for a fact my air conditioning filter has not been changed (it is still dirty) and it looks to me like the brake fluid has not been changed.

The oil/filter have been changed and the coolant topped up.

I took the wheels off myself last week to check all the brakes and there was negligible wear to the pads or discs and the whole job took about 30 minutes.

I also asked them to investigate the rust trail due to the rusting component in the hatch handle but their answer was "nothing evident, customer to monitor".Thanks.

So what have they done to justify £2-300 of expediture?

Basically change the oil and filter and have a look round to make sure nothing is falling off.(They also said the car was too dirty for full inspection..not good enough for that sort of money, and it wasn't dirty anyway)

Sorry for going on, this annoys me, but I am wary about confronting the service manager in case I become a "marked man" in future dealings, and perhaps this is the norm these days and I am expecting too much.

Toyota service is supposed to be good...what must the service from other manufactures dealerships be like, that are lower down in the customer satisfaction lists!?

The people involved are lovely folk, well presented, mannerly and helpful, so no complaints there.They just don't do everything they should do and charge too much for not doing it.

Any hints to the Toyota dealer.

I'll see what they have to say about not changing the filter.

(North of the border, so no worries for you!)

I have an excellent local man who does my MG MOTs but I always do servicing myself when I can.

With the advent of software upgradeable ecu and other systems it is important with a new car to get the dealer to have access to it for a year or two for the latest updates, if any, which my local man will not be able to get.

You don't need to use a dealer for servicing as long as the parts used are genuine Toyota and applied by a legitimate garage, but that doesn't help with software or related updates.

I usually use a service plan which spreads the cost of the 4 services for a 5 year warranty, but the cost can be frightening if you add it all up.

I don't think Toyota is anywhere near the worst cost wise.

I am not sure of the make but I think I read somewhere that one of those Korean cars (Kia or something) 5 year warranty requires about £2000 worth of servicing during the period.That's big bucks for a "cheap" car.

[johnan]

Just to finish my grumble.

I e-mailed the service manager asking why the A/C filter had not been changed, as per the handbook for a 2nd service.

His reply said they only do it if required,and in my case it was not required.

However I know they had not checked it. (because a piece of anti rattle padding I had put in had not been disturbed, which means they had not looked at it) (and it is quite dirty, by the way.)

If I had asked why they had not changed the brake fluid the same answer would apply, it didn't need to be changed.

I agree it should not need to be changed after only 2 years but should be checked.If it is on the required service schedule it should be changed.

The problem is both these items are included in the quote for a second service as they are both service requirements, but if the dealer decides that they are not required, then the cost to the customer is not reduced...you still pay the quoted figure.Unless you have an enlightened dealership.

It would be lovely if the service manager came up and said " we have checked your A/C filter, and brake fluid for moisture content and they are both not needing to be replaced this time, so your service cost will be reduced by £80 from the quote we gave you"

No chance methinks,

My local independant man would do that as he has integrity and wants to keep the business.

[PumpkinSteve]

So they initially charged you the full amount but didn't actually change anything? That is terrible...

As for being too dirty to check, my local Toyota washed and vacuumed my car when I had it in for it's service.

[johnan]

So they initially charged you the full amount but didn't actually change anything? That is terrible...

As for being too dirty to check, my local Toyota washed and vacuumed my car when I had it in for it's service.

The oil and filter were changed, but that is all apart from the usual checks.

If I get the Toyota questionnaire follow up, I will mention it and let them decide if a subtle "word in an ear" is required.I have sent the service department 2 e-mails and the replies I received were glib and unsatisfactory.

I had hoped this sort of practice had gone from UK garages. I expect this is an isolated case and I have just been unlucky with my dealership!

The car was washed and valetted AFTER the service.It should have been done first, if dirt was going to be used as a reason for not doing all the checks.

[marcandsebe]

We still don't know the Toyota dealer. It should be name and shame. Nearly as bad as the politicians.

[johnan]

We still don't know the Toyota dealer. It should be name and shame. Nearly as bad as the politicians.

Just be vigilant with your own dealers and don't get taken for a ride.

I will put the facts on the questionnaire and let Toyota deal with it.

[acetip]

when dicussing servicing with one of the workshop staff at my local toyota dealership, he said they only change the a/c filter if a customer ask for it to be done.i asked if they were selling a car that was due a major service and they carried out that service before selling, who would they ask,cos thats what happened me when the car i brought was given a phantom major service.the car had no such service.i also asked.

what happens, if say an elderly lady driver who knows nothing about car servicing let alone a/c filters and relys

on the dealer to look after all her cars needs,is she going to say,please change my a/c filter please.no she is not.