Find a Approved Garage in West Midlands

[JOHN@IMC]

Hi there, anybody can recommend a good garage in West Midlands?

[TP49]

Try the approved garage web site and put your area in you should get a list of approved garages in your area.

[FROSTYBALLS]

I always have difficulty with a question like this. Approved by who? Toyota? The AA? Approved by another body? 

If it is approved by Toyota, then the only Toyota approved garages would be main dealers.  

[TP49]

Approved and inspected by AA/RAC. I must admit I prefer a recommendation from family or friend. If he wants a Toyota dealer it won't be that hard to find.

[BhxTrev]

John that's one hell of a big ask. The West Midlands is huge so suggesting a garage may not be of use if you live too far away from it. I live not too far from Motorline in Stourbridge. It used to be Westlands Toyota but it's still a Toyota main dealer. I've used this garage for services & MOTs for many years & I'd recommend them, since I've never had a problem & always found the staff to be friendly & very helpful. If you live anywhere near this garage give them a go. 

[madanglian]

Maybe "recommended" would be a better word, as in "recommended by members of the forum". As a Toyota newbie myself, I'd be quite interested in a place where:

- They do the work, competently.

- They don't fit (or charge you for) unnecessary parts or labour

- They will stamp your book (if appropriate)

- They don't charge as much as a dealer.

Maybe such places don't exist, but it would be interesting to know.

Or maybe everybody has a warranty which is invalidated if they get work done anywhere other than a Toyota dealer?

[FROSTYBALLS]

42 minutes ago, madanglian said:

Or maybe everybody has a warranty which is invalidated if they get work done anywhere other than a Toyota dealer?

It should be quite obvious from the range of vehicles and vehicle ages owned by members that not everyone's vehicle is within either a new car or extended warranty. 

For new car warranties, Block Exemption applies, which allows owners to use non-franchised garages for servicing without affecting the warranty, provided certain conditions are met. Toyota extended warranties, however, require servicing to be done by Toyota dealers to ensure the extended warranty remains valid.

Aside from that, there are various garage approval schemes in place - examples: the AA; RAC; Trust My Garage; Approved Garages; garages which have signed up to the Motor Industry Code of Practice; Independent Garage Association; Good Garage Guide; Good Garage Scheme; Approved Garage Scheme; etc.

[Heidfirst]

3 hours ago, madanglian said:

- They don't charge as much as a dealer.

As your car is a 2007 it qualifies for Toyota's Essential Care services - I think that you will find those very competitively priced & they will know a Prius' systems far better than virtually all independents.

Oh, & welcome to TOC. 🙂

[madanglian]

Thanks - for the answers and the welcome!