Question For Any "insiders"

[BenRM]

Weird question, perhaps, and a bit general, but I'd rather post it here because the Rav 4 community have been so helpful in the past.

I'm about to become a two Toyota family, and I've negotiated a small discount on a used approved car. I managed to get them to throw in a service in lieu of some of the discount I was looking for, but now I'm wondering (and sorry for the cynicism) what's to stop them just stamping the book?

Does anybody know if this is something that goes on? Is there a reason - other than honesty - why they'll be sure to do a proper service?

And - again - sorry if this offends any used car salesmen. The dealership in question has seem fairly straight-up so far. I just can't help wondering....

- B

[mystic]

Nothing is to stop them, depends how reputable the garage is and how much they made on the purchase, lets say the car was on sale for £1000 (only example) and you knocked it down to £800 + service then your already eating at there profits so to cut the losses corners will be cut.

Im not saying ever garage is like this some are very genuine but i know a lot of people that work in mainly private garages and main VW, peugeot and toyota dealerships that are not as genuine as one would like.

Especially on a new purchase, you wouldn't know if something was changed or not.

[Joylove]

If the air filter is brand new and the oil is golden, then it's been serviced. Don't forget they get those parts at trade prices and the oil in massive drums. Chances are it costs them very little, and could even be written off against tax possibly.

[BenRM]

Cheers, fellas,

Think I'm going to risk making myself unpopular and warn them I might want to have a quick swipe at the oil. Hopefully that'll at least encourage the salesman I've been dealing with to check it's done properly. (Bit embarrassing if they're honest, though!)

B

[Big Kev]

The air filter is not changed at every service....it is mileage dependant on the Rav, for instance, so whether it is changed or not is not a good pointer. Just bought a Corolla for nephew, which they say they "fully serviced" (Ford dealer)prior to handing over at 34k miles. Air filter has not been changed....it's not due until 40k I would expect them to argue...so I bought one off Kingo, and changed it. Both oil and filter brand new though....

Let's face it...these "intermediate" services are a great money spinner anywayhowz....the OP would have to legally paraphrase his request more than likely that the "service must be done according to the manufacturer's schedule"....they'll change the oil and filter, oil the door hinges, and wash the car. Service with a pile.....

Big Trusting Kev

[dav179]

I understand your concerns from experience.

I bought a used Rav 4 from Toyota main dealer and agreed a full service to be done as part of the deal.

After 5 weeks ownership and putting approx 1000 miles on it, I got a low oil warning.

Checked the oil and it was really black and indeed low on dip stick.

Filled up the oil and checked after a month, still showed full, did oil and filter change and used no oil since.

Oil is still no where near as black and sludgy as it was.

I did not check when I picked up the Rav but I doubt a service was carried out.

I suggest you dip the oil before service and before taking delivery.

[bothwell_buyer]

you could mark things like the oil filter, air filter, and so on with a spot of paint. Or a dab of snowflake (??) to show whether the air filter or oil cap etc etc has been removed.

Miniature mtion sensors to detect whether the bonnet was opened at all..... superglue on the radiators reserve tank..... drop the car off with 4 flat tyres.....

at the end of the day, if you feel you can't trust them then go by your instinct and don't.

I used a local T dealer after I bought 2 new cars from them in 1994. It took me too long to discover I was being ripped off by them as they were charging for work not done. They lost the dealership.

[BenRM]

Bothwell_Buyer.... superglue and motion detector aren't practical, I'm afraid, because I'm talking about a used approved car I'm buying with a new service negotiated into the deal. (Otherwise, obviously, I'd install CCTV and be done with it )

dav179.... that's exactly what I'm talking about. I'll be checking the oil!

Cheers again, everyone.

B

[dwilson]

Bothwell_Buyer.... superglue and motion detector aren't practical, I'm afraid, because I'm talking about a used approved car I'm buying with a new service negotiated into the deal. (Otherwise, obviously, I'd install CCTV and be done with it )

dav179.... that's exactly what I'm talking about. I'll be checking the oil!

Cheers again, everyone.

B

If it is used approved I would expect all to be fine. I just bought one and had a full service and fresh MOT as part of the deal. They replaced a tyre and front discs and pads which I could see were new.

David

[firemac]

Weird question, perhaps, and a bit general, but I'd rather post it here because the Rav 4 community have been so helpful in the past.

I'm about to become a two Toyota family, and I've negotiated a small discount on a used approved car. I managed to get them to throw in a service in lieu of some of the discount I was looking for, but now I'm wondering (and sorry for the cynicism) what's to stop them just stamping the book?

Does anybody know if this is something that goes on? Is there a reason - other than honesty - why they'll be sure to do a proper service?

And - again - sorry if this offends any used car salesmen. The dealership in question has seem fairly straight-up so far. I just can't help wondering....

- B

If it's Toyota approved used then it should come with a confirmed service history. If that's the case, it wouldn't be in the dealer's interests to do an improper service since anything that subsequently fails will be down to them to put right.

For your own peace of mind though you can check things like oil is new on the dipstick and a new oil filter is pretty obvious. If you suggest to the dealer that you've been ripped off like that before, it might just make sure he's not tempted. Other than that I think it's fair to say that word gets round about ropey dealers & they don't tend to stay in business long.