20K Service... With Mr.toyota

[Nemotion]

My Auris is a simple '07 1.6 TR. I've had it for just under a year now, I put 10k miles on it my self to bring it up to almost 18k and so far its suffering only a few minor issues. So it's almost done 20k and it's 4 years old, not to mention I'm doing a 600mile trek up north in a few weeks time. Time for a Major Service, I thought.

What's these few minor issues you ask? Only some squeeling breaks (standard) and a spitting water pump...

Took it to my Toyota dealer (in Barnet, London), friendly rep says "That'll be £400 odd for a full service." I'm like, 'fine, it's a main dealer... they cost a little more'. If I was a sailor, I'd be lost for words. Crude language could not prepare or justify anyone for the phone call I got. I've just been quoted £1752 for the lot!!! WTF?

£200 per corner for Michelin tyres? I could get a Yokohama Advans, or some P Zeros for less. £40 for Wiper Blades? What are they made out of? Snow Leopard eye lashes? I sourced a water pump online for less than £50, they quoting £315! Who is doing the labour? Adrian Newey?

It's been painful. I thought I'd take a chance and get a nice Toyota stamp in my service book seeing as this is the first car I've ever bought that wasn't already 20 years old, but I'm so spun I'm not sure if I've been conned or missed the news report of national currency inflating 10 thousand percent.

Is this really what we should expect from Mr.Toyota? I'm hurt, because I love my car. She's been great, but boy is she high maintenance. I'd probably be better off with a wife!

[Nemotion]

...not to mention. I just walked (yes, walked) passed a 1993 Toyota Mk2 MR2 Turbo for £1700! That who much my service and repairs cost!!! I could be driving around in a T-bar with the Auris left on the drive, adding not just salt, but Walkers Salt & Vinegar into open wounds.

[acetip]

I asked for a quote for my Auris 1.6 for 4th year service at my local Mr T.i explained as the car will have only have done about 25000 miles when i bring it in (Jan) so spark plugs are good for several more thousand miles yet.The coolant was changed last service and i will provide the oil.They quoted me £130 this included a loyalty discount.

If thet keep to this quote i shall very happy.

[Parts-King]

Sounds like somebody is trying on the London prices, remind him there is a recession on and to go away and sharpen his pencil, there are plenty of other dealers down there, shop around and see what you come up with

Kingo

[Krait]

Hi Nemotion,

you did not say where you bought the car and if it was a main dealer.

And so I guess you do not have any guarantee/warranty with it.

The reason I ask this is that my water pump seized up earlier this year and I have a warranty as I bought from a main dealer. And the pump was covered under warranty. If your pump is leaking,then it will be covered as it is not a wear and tear or consumable item.

I have an 07 1.6 petrol.

I also purchased a 3 year service contract with 3 services covered by it. 60k. 70k and 80k. the 6 and 80k are the expensive ones. total price was £556.

Hope this helps.

[passedit2]

That price is extortion. Shop around for your tyres and Wiper Blades, get them fitted. Have a good independent or dare I say it, Halfords fit the water pump. After that ring round Mr Ts for a better price service, got to be cheaper. Or get it done when you come up north. Learn the dialect first.

Your car has a high maintenance cost? Nothing compared to that involved in the blissful state of marriage!!!!

[Nemotion]

Cheers for the suggestions people. It is very interesting to see and hear the range of prices we're expected to pay for the same parts of the same car.

In the end, I told them I was happy to pay for the full service (£400) but I'll take my car else where to fix the things they spotted. They called back and started dropping £10s and then £20s off individual parts until it came down to a more earthly price. I was surprised that I needed to give them the whole sob story, "I just can't afford it" and they appeared to want to keep my custom.

They also informed me of 2 recalls that will be free of charge (damn right), something to do with the steering column and the other with the accelerator pedal. I was happy in the end, though I still paid more than I wanted. I didn't have any guarantee/warranty on it, but I'm going to have rethink my approach to maintaining my car if parts are so expensive and increasing.

To think I bought it because I thought old cars were bad, I suppose a car is a car is a car. lol Gotta get my overtime at work on again!

[UK Republic]

Re Wiper Blades, this week i phoned Johnsons Toyota in Liverpool to ask if they supplied refill rubbers as i think it is sheer waste to throw away perfectly good frames just because the rubber blade is worn, i was told no they did not do just the blades, i was quoted £35+vat for the 26" and £15+vat for the 16", £60 for two blades is just rediculous, or £9.27+ and £4.50+ for their cheaper blades which were just the ugly frame type, they were £27.54, i then had to go there and pay a deposit and then go back to collect them when they had them in stock, this would put another £10 onto the cost, i have ordered PIAA blades for £40.82 for both and they do replacement rubbers when they eventually wear out.

I think the Toyota reputation for fair play has long gone.

[Daveyonthemove]

I got a pair of Bosch aero twin blades last month for £21.95 delivered.

Far better than OEM wipers, and much cheaper.

Buy them from autobulbs and get cashback through some sites, making them under £20 per pair.

[L22KMD]

uk republic,give us a review on the piaa blades,been thinking about them for a while,cheers.

[jettech]

I was thinking that wipers are part of Toyota fixed price promise and they are sold for 22.50 (according to their website). There used to be tyres there as well. I don't know how their promises compare to real life.

http://www.toyota.co.uk/cgi-bin/toyota/bv/generic_editorial.jsp?navRoot=toyota_1024_root&nodiv=true&fullwidth=true&noLeftMenu=true&forceText=%3cnone%3e&edname=as_ServiceMaintenance&id=AfterSalesService&zone=Zone+Ownership&sr=Mall

[jig]

I think the price promise parts are not genuine Toyota but pattern parts.

[Mistermena]

Aero blades for £6.99 a pair on eBay including delivery! An they are absolutly fantastic. Bought 3 pairs for all my different cars.

[bruce e]

Cheers for the suggestions people. It is very interesting to see and hear the range of prices we're expected to pay for the same parts of the same car.

In the end, I told them I was happy to pay for the full service (£400) but I'll take my car else where to fix the things they spotted. They called back and started dropping £10s and then £20s off individual parts until it came down to a more earthly price. I was surprised that I needed to give them the whole sob story, "I just can't afford it" and they appeared to want to keep my custom.

They also informed me of 2 recalls that will be free of charge (damn right), something to do with the steering column and the other with the accelerator pedal. I was happy in the end, though I still paid more than I wanted. I didn't have any guarantee/warranty on it, but I'm going to have rethink my approach to maintaining my car if parts are so expensive and increasing.

To think I bought it because I thought old cars were bad, I suppose a car is a car is a car. lol Gotta get my overtime at work on again!

Even by London prices that is steep.

I have a pre purchase service agreement covering 20k 30k & 40 K (2x major & 1x minor services) for £551 from Mr T

As for tyres, check out ATS Euromaster £89 ea (not £200 ea)for Michelins from ATS Camden NW1 & ATS are NOT the cheapest. http://shop.atseuromaster.co.uk/eshop/en_GB/searchByTyreByUrl/section/205/aspectRatio/55/rimDiameter/16/loadIndex/91/speedIndex/V/brandList/MICHELIN/xl/false/rf/false

Make sure the water pump is an official part & not a clone (not worth it)

[Nemotion]

Even by London prices that is steep.

I have a pre purchase service agreement covering 20k 30k & 40 K (2x major & 1x minor services) for £551 from Mr T

As for tyres, check out ATS Euromaster £89 ea (not £200 ea)for Michelins from ATS Camden NW1 & ATS are NOT the cheapest. http://shop.atseuromaster.co.uk/eshop/en_GB/searchByTyreByUrl/section/205/aspectRatio/55/rimDiameter/16/loadIndex/91/speedIndex/V/brandList/MICHELIN/xl/false/rf/false

Make sure the water pump is an official part & not a clone (not worth it)

Ahh, that's what those tyres are... I have those Michelin Energy tyres up front at the moment, they're surprisingly good for a so-called 'value' tyre. But they need replacing with less than 4mm tread. I've actually booked to have fronts matching the current rear with a set of Continentals at around £80ish per corner.

xD

[Phil_1985]

I got some of the refill rubber blades for my front wipers for £20.00 from my local Toyota dealer, they appear to be genuine.

[Stevet1138]

Just had my 58 plate 1.6 T-Spirit serviced with 21K on the clock and was very pleased at the cost. It was the third service the car has had and as it was three years old it was due its first MOT as well. I always have a courtesy car from the dealer which I pay about £11 for the insurance, so taking that into account the bill for all three came to £190. Nothing at all came to light except the headlight alignment on the MOT which I think came to about £20. Very pleased overall, the dealer in question has always delivered good service - Westlands Toyota in Bromsgrove.

[Lorcan]

Just got the 60,000km (40,000mile) service done in a Toyota garage here in Ireland. For oil, oil filter, air filter, cabin filter and brake fluid change. It cost €220, plus the printout with any other problems they found. All brake discs and pads need changed next service. Not looking forward to that.