Had my car serviced today.

[Steven83]

So I had a intermediate service today at RRG Stockport for £230.

 

they seemed busy and hadn’t called me back by 5pm so I ended up chasing them up. 
 

when I eventually got a call back from them at 5:30 saying I can collect my car I went down and joined a queue of people all waiting to get their cars after a service, so obviously they were fully booked up and had been busy.

 

it was only when I got home and realised my car had more dirty marks (greasy/dirty finger marks) on the outside and inside that I realised it hadn’t been washed.

 

aren’t they supposed to vac and wash it as part of the service? 
I know it’s not a big deal but since buying a Toyota I’ve felt I’ve been short changed each time I’ve dealt with the dealership whether it be Stockport or Rotherham where I bought it. 

[Rhymes with Paris]

Sorry, but I think poor service is normal now.

And if it is dirt and grease, rather than panel damage or engine damage on top of careless service,then it could be a win.

I really don't know what the answer is now, but rest assured it has not changed since the 80s when my new car (Citroen) came back from first and every other service covered with black grease inside.

And panel damage on the outside.

Things have evolved to be even worse now I believe.

 

[Steven83]

The crazy thing is the advertise it being washed and vacuumed on the website if you get a service 🤦🏻‍♂️🤷‍♂️

[Rhymes with Paris]

A few on here including me try to remember to instruct the dealer to definitely not wash the car,or valet it in any way.

It's easier and cheaper to do it yourself or pay someone competent to do it, rather than having damage from careless"technicians".

[TonyHSD]

Well, it seems everything is on the lower side of quality and customer care these days but prices are highest ever, this is what I call it a bad times. 

[Steven83]

5 minutes ago, Rhymes with Paris said:

A few on here including me try to remember to instruct the dealer to definitely not wash the car,or valet it in any way.

It's easier and cheaper to do it yourself or pay someone competent to do it, rather than having damage from careless"technicians".

That’s a good point, blessing in disguise maybe 

[Derek.w]

I dont like automatic car washes if the car in front was very dirty then you run the risk of a contaminated roller scratching yours.

 

[The Aardvark]

19 hours ago, Steven83 said:

So I had a intermediate service today at RRG Stockport for £230.

 

they seemed busy and hadn’t called me back by 5pm so I ended up chasing them up. 
 

when I eventually got a call back from them at 5:30 saying I can collect my car I went down and joined a queue of people all waiting to get their cars after a service, so obviously they were fully booked up and had been busy.

 

it was only when I got home and realised my car had more dirty marks (greasy/dirty finger marks) on the outside and inside that I realised it hadn’t been washed.

 

aren’t they supposed to vac and wash it as part of the service? 
I know it’s not a big deal but since buying a Toyota I’ve felt I’ve been short changed each time I’ve dealt with the dealership whether it be Stockport or Rotherham where I bought it. 

Thanks for sharing your experience.

Out of interest, did the dealership manage to find time during the day to try to upsell you treatments, conditioners, other "recommended" items and perhaps some new brake pads or tyres?!

[AisinW]

Wash the car only when it is necessary like for wedding reception. Washing often cause more harm/scratches than good. 

I prefer to hand wash with water and 2 buckets (1 for rinsing only) and soft polyester/polyamide 70/30 microfiber cloth.  Wax it with a good polish/wax (Turtle ceramic wax) and usually enough for 6 months. The dirt won't stick after we wax it, very hydrophobic. 

Automatic car wash is better than improper hand wash. Many people do not know how to wash car (2 buckets, soft microfiber, and soft microfiber drying towel, and wax). 

[Catlover]

If I remember correctly the offer of a free car wash at service is on the proviso they have the time to carry out a wash. It is not a cert.  I always tried to present my car clean inside and out whenever I took it in to the main dealer… they wouldn’t need to clean it.  😄

[Rhymes with Paris]

On 9/3/2022 at 10:11 PM, Catlover said:

If I remember correctly the offer of a free car wash at service is on the proviso they have the time to carry out a wash. It is not a cert.  I always tried to present my car clean inside, and out whenever I took it in to the main dealer… they wouldn’t need to clean it.  😄

I did the same Joe, getting the car clean before service,in the forlorn hope that they would leave the thing alone, apart from monkeying around pretending to service it properly on my newish Honda in for a recall and service.

My old Lexus came back with the front over mats plonked on the rear seats, with all the dust and debris on them, which I missed on the clean/valet, before a "free health check".

This was for my benefit apparently,as a "safety precaution".

[Derek.w]

It free but if they out of time or short staffed cleaner not turned  I prefer to have my car back!.

[AisinW]

Dealership are usually mindful on treating seat and personal items. I only went there just because of recall or free service. So, I clean the car nicely so they also respect our car when doing the service. So far has been good in Europe for Hybridsystem-Check to get the HV Battery warranty.

Unfortunately, I had bad experience when getting a free new dashboard in USA.  They did not tighten the steering bolt properly and it move side to side. I complained but they said it was not their problem. So I parked the car right in front of the dealership and tighten  4 loose bolts on the steering column. 

Some dealerships I called them Stealership.  I only take a note from their report to get 2nd opinion. They often offer BS like AC cleaning, fuel system cleanup, worn suspension, front engine cover, all kind of fluid flush that at that time is not needed and expensive. I did not bite their $20 oil change bait. 

[Corollanutter]

Maybe I'm the lucky one here (and maybe tempting fate), however our local dealer has always been excellent for the last 12 years - and on occasions far surpassing my expecations. I've always had a very courteous and timely pick-up and collection, service done (AFAIK) correctly and all additional items noted addressed - plus a very satisfactory clean inside and out. However last year we purchased our third used Toyota from another dealer (as our normal dealer didn't have the car we wanted) - and the service received could not have been more different. Items paid for not fitted, rectifications noted at the time of viewing not done - and an interior clean that was far, far from satisfactory. Suffice to say I had to take the car back a week later for rectification. Needless to say, I won't EVER be going back there. So it does seem very variable.

[Steven83]

22 hours ago, The Aardvark said:

Thanks for sharing your experience.

Out of interest, did the dealership manage to find time during the day to try to upsell you treatments, conditioners, other "recommended" items and perhaps some new brake pads or tyres?!

No attempt to upsell other than the service plan. 

[Steven83]

Another thing that happened which I didn’t mention is on my service list it mentions that all 4 wheels are slightly binding.

The service advisor suggested I should have my brakes stripped and cleaned as the pads and discs are wearing unevenly and rear disc are slightly pitted. This would cost £280.

I was annoyed since I only bought the car last year as a used approved and it spent 6 months in the dealership waiting for parts they needed to repair the car, as they sent it to me faulty.

As I left the dealership this weekend I asked the service advisor if I now have an additional 12 months on my warranty, he confirmed I do, but I cannot claim for the brake stripping/cleaning as they found it on the day the warranty is added.

I just realised today though that when I took the car in it already had warranty, so should the work on those brakes be covered? I’m going to phone tomorrow.

sorry if none of that makes sense, it’s a bit long winded and jumping around a bit too. 

[Steven83]

[Cyker]

Yeah, as it was discovered while the previous warranty was still active it should have been covered under the previous years' warranty, assuming that sort of thing is covered at all (Usually brake stuff is counted as a wear item and excluded from the warranty anyway, but check the Ts and Cs to be sure!).

 

The brakes might just need some use, as the hybrids tend to under use their brakes and the discs especially stay rusty. Maybe find a quiet hill and go down it and do a few hard brakes to clear up the surface rust.

TBH tho' cleaning the brakes is something any half-decent garage can do; I assume they just mean taking the calipers and pads out, giving everything a good wire brushing, maybe re-greasing the slide pins, then replacing everything.

 

[TonyHSD]

Yeap, 

brakes need cleaning as preventative measure. Its an easy diy job or mobile mechanic or local trusted garage if you know any around. it takes time though to be done properly. 👍

[Steven83]

Thanks for the replies. The fact it was sat in the dealership for 6 months waiting on a part probably hasn’t helped. 
 

id also just got back from a 5 day holiday before it went in to the service so maybe that has made it look worse than it is. I’ll just give some heavy braking for a few days but I will also see if it’s covered on the warranty. 

[Cyker]

Hmm that's a point... I wonder if that's something I'll need to factor in? Normally it's something I've never had to do as usually my brakes don't last more than 2 years without needing replacement (Thanks London!) but with the regen doing most of the braking in this car I can see them lasting long enough this might need to be done!

 

[Catlover]

19 hours ago, Rhymes with Paris said:

My old Lexus came back with the front over mats plonked on the rear seats, with all the dust and debris on them, which I missed on the clean/valet, before a "free health check".

This was for my benefit apparently,as a "safety precaution".

Springing to my mind…..you say these mats were “over mats”. If one was in the drivers foot well and not fastened down then that is considered a safety hazard and a mot failure.  The point made is a loose mat could ruck up under the foot brake pedal, thereby impeding braking of the car. So, if that was the circumstance then they did indeed do it as a safety precaution.

[Rhymes with Paris]

Aye Joe , I think that was part of it.

One of the hooks on the drivers side floor was missing or broken, so that maybe was the reason for removing one mat.

But I can't think of a reason to remove both, and then sling them on the back seat spreading dust all over the car interior, when there was a perfectly good boot which was empty.

Interestingly, the result of this "free" check,was an offer for me to spend over £1000 on brake discs, pads and tyres,on a car that had passed its MOT elsewhere a few days previously, with no advisories.

And carried on passing MOTs with no advisories for the next 3 years.

But no mention or offer to replace the plastic floor hook, a couple of quids worth maybe, that was so critical.

I have written before about the day after I bought this Lexus I think.

Trying it out, it started accelerating on its own, it was an auto, and the engine seemed to be overcoming me braking hard.

Pretty scary it was, I was in a panic and heading for the back of skip lorry before I thought to turn off the ignition and stop.

Well, the drivers side mat was the cause of this, but not through the lack of one floor hook, the car had been valeted prior to me buying it, and the "professional" had put the mat in completely 180 wrong way round, with the pedal cut outs towards the seat not the pedals, so the mat rode up over the accelerator pushing it, rather than under the brake pedal.

I had not noticed in my excitement to try out the car, but it did teach me a lesson I can tell you.

And yes you make a very good point about the importance of securing the floor mats, which I now check very carefully.🙂

[AisinW]

I bought exact fit rubber matt sold from Online supplier made in Europe. They fit well with the hooks. I removed the carpet mat on the driver side but the rest are double mats because they are not moving anywhere with perfect fit mat.  The rear is one peace and really helps for muddy winter.  I always go to specialist MOT/ TÜV office not mechanics or dealership that may have conflict of interest getting money for letting us pass.  For any recommendation for replacing parts, always check with your own eyes and hands if they are actually need replacement.  Mechanics love Brake job because it is very easy but makes a lot of money.  In Auris, we only need 2 bolts 13/14 mm (for the pads) and 2 bolts 17 mm (for the disc).   The hardest part is Jacking the car up and remove the wheel for DIY.    Unless they show with calipers/micrometer measurement that the disc gets too thin or badly corroded with bad wear pattern, there is no reason to replace the disc.  Corrosion on the hat and edges are normal.   Small crack on the rubber bushing on the control arms and other bushings are also normal.  Ball joints on Auris never get bad even after 30 years unless the boot is torn, little crack/dry marks is normal too.   A good playlist below will prevent you from being ripped off. 

  

[Davidhee58]

On 9/5/2022 at 11:33 AM, AisinW said:

I bought exact fit rubber matt sold from Online supplier made in Europe. They fit well with the hooks. I removed the carpet mat on the driver side but the rest are double mats because they are not moving anywhere with perfect fit mat.  The rear is one peace and really helps for muddy winter.  I always go to specialist MOT/ TÜV office not mechanics or dealership that may have conflict of interest getting money for letting us pass.  For any recommendation for replacing parts, always check with your own eyes and hands if they are actually need replacement.  Mechanics love Brake job because it is very easy but makes a lot of money.  In Auris, we only need 2 bolts 13/14 mm (for the pads) and 2 bolts 17 mm (for the disc).   The hardest part is Jacking the car up and remove the wheel for DIY.    Unless they show with calipers/micrometer measurement that the disc gets too thin or badly corroded with bad wear pattern, there is no reason to replace the disc.  Corrosion on the hat and edges are normal.   Small crack on the rubber bushing on the control arms and other bushings are also normal.  Ball joints on Auris never get bad even after 30 years unless the boot is torn, little crack/dry marks is normal too.   A good playlist below will prevent you from being ripped off. 

  

Very good detailed advice John.