Beeping Censors

[Jambs]

My partner and I have just bought a used Toyota Rav4. It is 3 years old so still has 2 years of the Toyota Warranty left.

Now despite what encyclopaedias say about inanimate objects (such as trees, small walls, posts and the neighbours porky cat) not moving I can assure you from past experience they are always darting in my reversing path! For that reason I would like forward and reverse parking sensors installed.

> Toyota want £600 fitted and sprayed the same colour as the car.

> Independent companies (such as AVRMobiles) want about £270 fitted (by mobile engineer at my home) and sprayed the same factory colour as my car.

Question/Advice time:

1) If Toyota don't do the install will it ruin my warranty? Apparently as long as the car is serviced by a 'VAT registered garage in-line with manufacturers guidelines' anyone can service the car and the warranty maintained.

2) Anyone used AVRMobiles? trust pilot and other review sites have loads of good reviews... But by people who have only left one review having never reviewed another company???

3) Would non Toyota sensors give more of the dreaded 'Phantom Beeps'?

Thanks a million and any advice would be appreciated.

[firemac]

That Toyota price seems a bit salty. Try a different dealer, perhaps.

In my experience, after-market sensors aren't as good as the OEM kit. I wouldn't have thought that fitting a non-Toyota set would have any impact on your warranty although if something subsequently went amiss and the problem could have been caused by the after-market sensors or how they were wired/fitted, I guess Mr.T might have a problem with warranty cover.

I've only ever had OEM Toyota sensors so I'm afraid I cannot comment with any personal authority on after-market ones.

[Heidfirst]

the only problem re. 3rd party install & the Toyota warranty is that should your car suffer an electrical fault it could perhaps give them an out.

Depending on colour of your car you can probably buy a set of coloured rear sensors for ~£12 & they usually just connect simply into the reversing light feed. If you intend to tow sometimes you would also want to install a switch for disabling the sensors when towing.

[Jambs]

Thanks a million, believe it or not it was £690 for front and rear before I haggled!!! Its probably cheaper for rear alone but I really want both.

I've called Western in Edinburgh, Burrows in Sheffield and RRG in Stockport - I thought it was expensive but it seems the going rate. Unless there is another major dealer I could try?

I'm not sure I'd feel happy drilling holes in my new (used) car and wiring... Might just take the shot with the independent fitter?

[Heidfirst]

not sure on the RAV but e.g. on a Ford Focus the inside of the bumper is already marked for where factory fit sensors would go (even if not fitted).

You might want to download the fitting instructions for the Toyota oem kit from toyota-tech.eu to see if you think that you might be able to handle it yourself.

[FROSTYBALLS]

As regards third party servicing during the new car warranty, as long as the manufacturing service schedule is followed and parts of equivalent quality are used the new car warranty remains in force. However, in case of a warranty claim it would be down to the owner to have proof that parts of equivalent quality were used - which is why some owners gojnv down this route, use OE parts.

Also, once out of the new car warranty, should a major fault occur where you seek help from the manufacturer in respect of a goodwill contribution towards the cost of the repairs, and servicing has been carried out outside the dealer network, goodwill is unlikely to be provided.