Servicing/dealership warranty worth it?

[Serban]

Lads, I salute again,

Been reading a lot about servicing a Toyota through them directly to keep the warranty going, but I've seen way too many disappointed customers. I was planning to go at them for up to 10yrs/100k miles cause warranty, but apparently I risk them not bothered with changing filters, topping up, etc.. basically typical mechanic complaints..

Do you know a good Toyota shop with reliable servicing or do I need to start learning how to do it myself and forget about the warranty? Thing is I haven't changed a car oil before, tyres, brakes, but I do know the basics aaand the tools needed will cost me money, learning time and energy and I'd rather not, but if I can't get proper reliable servicing on my car, guess it leaves me with not much choice and finally as a millennial, not disappoint my dad who always wished I was a "proper man"

Independent garage that I can trust ?Yeaaa, still searching for one, if you know what I mean.

Any tips or guidance, much appreciated. 

 

[FROSTYBALLS]

At the end of the day, only you can decide whether it is worth it for you ......

Servicing complaints aren't limited to Toyota dealers, but can occur with any main dealer regardless of marque, independents, etc.

Depending on when your car was first registered, it will either have the remainder of the 5 year/100,000 mile new car warranty (first registered before June 2021) or it will have the remainder of the 3 year/60,000 mile new car warranty (first registered on or after the 1st June 2021). This is before the Relax service generated extended warranty kicks in.

 

[Serban]

21 minutes ago, FROSTYBALLS said:

At the end of the day, only you can decide whether it is worth it for you ......

Servicing complaints aren't limited to Toyota dealers, but can occur with any main dealer regardless of marque, independents, etc.

Depending on when your car was first registered, it will either have the remainder of the 5 year/100,000 mile new car warranty (first registered before June 2021) or it will have the remainder of the 3 year/60,000 mile new car warranty (first registered on or after the 1st June 2021). This is before the Relax service generated extended warranty kicks in.

 

It is worth it, considering that warranty goes up to 100.000 miles with regular Toyota service and if they actually go through all the checks that they require to go through i.e. change filters, oil, brake fluid, top ups and such.

[Eddiefh]

I do my own now after leaning it’s quite simple after watching various different YouTube creators - I’ve a simple car though . When I had a young son his milk bottle machine needed quite extensive cleaning and it was then that I realised I could diy my own car at the same time I got interested in various YouTube diy’ers and a lad on her Tony explains well . 

I also downloaded the service checklist for my car to follow for each year or mileage. 
I will say I started from learning how to do wipers and bulbs to all filters and oil i wouldn’t do brakes as that’s to much for me . 
on one of my last visits to my local dealer they never charged pollen or air filter I complained via the review they ask you to fill out a few days after my visit, I was booked in a few days later after to get them replaced, if I hadn’t shown the interest in learning a new skill admittedly via video and reading posts I would be none the wiser. This year in February I booked at my local dealer for mot and brake fluid change I was advised I needed new brakes on rear in the summertime, summertime arrived i asked a local garage to do the work  , the garage is a business I deal with for work so i trust him  the owner changed the brakes and rings me and says the fluid on his tester is quite old and showed a high water content, I walk around to see him and he shows me on his tester , I explained that in February it was charged for this work which he says it’s impossible and more than likely it’s original from 2017 and not from 2019 when a mobility company owned the car and also payed another dealer which I have invoicing for from when I bought the car . I didn’t complain this time but did have it changed . 
my car is basic and with a set of plastic ramps quite easy to work on and a oil filter tool and a torque wrench is all I’ve bought probably around £150 . 

one option for you is to see how easy it is to check pollen filter is been changed and buy a break fluid tester as these seem to be the things that get skipped and carry on going to Toyota for services and to keep the warranty. 
Our next car will be a 1.8 Corolla hybrid and I’ve started following on Facebook and watching maintenance videos I’d go to Toyota for the Battery check yearly still . 
 

[Serban]

5 hours ago, Eddiefh said:

I do my own now after leaning it’s quite simple after watching various different YouTube creators - I’ve a simple car though . When I had a young son his milk bottle machine needed quite extensive cleaning and it was then that I realised I could diy my own car at the same time I got interested in various YouTube diy’ers and a lad on her Tony explains well . 

I also downloaded the service checklist for my car to follow for each year or mileage. 
I will say I started from learning how to do wipers and bulbs to all filters and oil i wouldn’t do brakes as that’s to much for me . 
on one of my last visits to my local dealer they never charged pollen or air filter I complained via the review they ask you to fill out a few days after my visit, I was booked in a few days later after to get them replaced, if I hadn’t shown the interest in learning a new skill admittedly via video and reading posts I would be none the wiser. This year in February I booked at my local dealer for mot and brake fluid change I was advised I needed new brakes on rear in the summertime, summertime arrived i asked a local garage to do the work  , the garage is a business I deal with for work so i trust him  the owner changed the brakes and rings me and says the fluid on his tester is quite old and showed a high water content, I walk around to see him and he shows me on his tester , I explained that in February it was charged for this work which he says it’s impossible and more than likely it’s original from 2017 and not from 2019 when a mobility company owned the car and also payed another dealer which I have invoicing for from when I bought the car . I didn’t complain this time but did have it changed . 
my car is basic and with a set of plastic ramps quite easy to work on and a oil filter tool and a torque wrench is all I’ve bought probably around £150 . 

one option for you is to see how easy it is to check pollen filter is been changed and buy a break fluid tester as these seem to be the things that get skipped and carry on going to Toyota for services and to keep the warranty. 
Our next car will be a 1.8 Corolla hybrid and I’ve started following on Facebook and watching maintenance videos I’d go to Toyota for the battery check yearly still . 
 

I was considering that option as well where I can at least have the knowledge to check if the service has been carried out, I just need to find the pollen filter in my yaris, the manual for some reason doesn't show one, AC filter only; also a brake fluid tester. 

I am planning to keep the car for years, but wasn't necessarily looking at 12+ years perhaps if I knew how to do everything myself so we'll see, might actually learn some DYI sometime.

[FROSTYBALLS]

Moved to the Yaris forum.

[RonYarisX]

Has the world gone mad?

You're always going to have a number of people where the service has not been done properly but the vast majority are.

But you guys are only talking about changing oil and replacing parts. The first thing that happens when your car goes in to the Toyota workshop is they'll hook it up to their computer and run diagnostics. The computer will tell them of any potential problems and also apply fixes to known problems. Do have access to Toyota diagnostics?

As part of a major service, the service dept will remove the wheels and inspect the brakes.  You people are going to inspect your brakes based on heresay or what someone tells you on YouTube  😲

Put it another way, next time your partner and kids travel via bus or by taxi, do you want that vehicle serviced by a qualified mechanic or by someone who's watched a YouTube video?

 

[TonyHSD]

If you have a new or recent car which is still within the manufacturer warranty perhaps the best option is to stick to dealer service for obvious reasons. After that period if you like your car, you have minimal diy knowledge and experience, some regular tools and desire to get your hands dirty servicing your car by yourself might be the better option. 
Youtube is like eBay, you can get the best and the worst, all depends of few variables. I am a YouTube diyer and I am the only person that serviced my current car since 8 years ago and 210000 miles. , 23 independent services done by me and 5 done by Toyota dealers previously.  The only time when my car visit a garage is for MOT, tyres, wheel alignment and ac regas. 
I am booked for additional work next Friday as simply I had no physical possibility to carry on some work by myself., and this is gonna be first ever time someone else will work on the car. 
Dealer services not always the best.
Nothing can beat the wish and desire of the careful car owner to look after his joy and pride. That’s for sure. 👍

[MikeSh]

On 9/11/2023 at 8:25 AM, Serban said:

I just need to find the pollen filter in my yaris, the manual for some reason doesn't show one, AC filter only

Same thing, different name (unless the MK4 has 2 filters in the system).

[MikeSh]

Another point to consider with a hybrid is the Battery warranty. Unless it's different now, to maintain that it has to have an annual health check by a Toyota dealer. It's included with a service, but if you have it serviced out of the system you have to bring it to a dealer for that annual check and pay about £40 I think for it.

[Yugguy1970]

I could still do a fair number of things on a car but I wouldn't want anyone else but Toyota to touch the hybrid system.

[Eddiefh]

1 hour ago, TonyHSD said:

If you have a new or recent car which is still within the manufacturer warranty perhaps the best option is to stick to dealer service for obvious reasons. After that period if you like your car, you have minimal diy knowledge and experience, some regular tools and desire to get your hands dirty servicing your car by yourself might be the better option. 
Youtube is like eBay, you can get the best and the worst, all depends of few variables. I am a YouTube diyer and I am the only person that serviced my current car since 8 years ago and 210000 miles. , 23 independent services done by me and 5 done by Toyota dealers previously.  The only time when my car visit a garage is for MOT, tyres, wheel alignment and ac regas. 
I am booked for additional work next Friday as simply I had no physical possibility to carry on some work by myself., and this is gonna be first ever time someone else will work on the car. 
Dealer services not always the best.
Nothing can beat the wish and desire of the careful car owner to look after his joy and pride. That’s for sure. 👍

Very well put , I tried and deleted my reply, also vastly cheaper my last full service cost me £55 for blueprint filters x3 and 4 litre of quality oil . 

[Max_Headroom]

10 hours ago, Eddiefh said:

Very well put , I tried and deleted my reply, also vastly cheaper my last full service cost me £55 for blueprint filters x3 and 4 litre of quality oil . 

I will carry on using the dealer after my car has its last service under the 5 year warranty, the 12 months warranty they give with it is worth it to me, if it's still a thing. 

[Max_Headroom]

On 9/18/2023 at 6:29 AM, Max_Headroom said:

, if it's still a thing. 

 

Toyota Warranty

At Toyota we take great pride in the quality, and reliability of our vehicles. This confidence allows us to offer up to 10 years’ warranty* on every new and used car.Up to 10 years / 100,000 mile Toyota warranty*

Every new Toyota comes with a 3 year manufacturer warranty followed by a 12 months / 10,000 miles additional warranty, with every qualifying service*. Up to 10 years or 100,000 miles, whichever comes first, letting you relax in the knowledge that you and your vehicle are in safe hands. 

Terms and conditions apply.

 

[+Steve]

last 3 services i had done at various dealers were not done correctly and I had to insist they take the car away and do it properly. I am the one that checks everything, if it aint done right then I am like the terrier at the ankle. I want what i paid for.

One was almost a catastrophic failure where oil pissed everywhere.

Do your checks, tell them that you will be doing checks too. But make sure you have the schedule beforehand and some things are not included in every service. 

[Serban]

On 9/17/2023 at 5:24 PM, RonYarisX said:

Has the world gone mad?

You're always going to have a number of people where the service has not been done properly but the vast majority are.

But you guys are only talking about changing oil and replacing parts. The first thing that happens when your car goes in to the Toyota workshop is they'll hook it up to their computer and run diagnostics. The computer will tell them of any potential problems and also apply fixes to known problems. Do have access to Toyota diagnostics?

As part of a major service, the service dept will remove the wheels and inspect the brakes.  You people are going to inspect your brakes based on heresay or what someone tells you on YouTube  😲

Put it another way, next time your partner and kids travel via bus or by taxi, do you want that vehicle serviced by a qualified mechanic or by someone who's watched a YouTube video?

 

I mean, sure. Are they actually doing all that you've mentioned? That's what I want, otherwise I'm hesitating. That's all I'm saying.

[TonyHSD]

14 hours ago, Serban said:

I mean, sure. Are they actually doing all that you've mentioned? That's what I want, otherwise I'm hesitating. That's all I'm saying.

Not at all. 
Dealers service only on paper that thoroughly done. 
They do it quickly in no time. If your oil filter been out too tight previously they won’t even change it and you gonna have your oil filter for many years unchanged. Not to mention that some bogus men working within the main dealer network on new and recen cars that had not been driven much will even skip replacing oil and other parts, take the replacement parts by themselves and sell on eBay and Facebook as new service part kits. 
Dealer service like anything else these days is hit and miss. Some places will be ok , some it won’t. 
About the manufacturer warranty, this is what you need have but once it’s gone the extended one is also a bit tricky. The biggest issue I personally have is that this warranty does not cover headlights!? These are ultra expensive on most models, LED sealed package , no bulb replacement and when they gone you need a whole new headlight, £1000 +. , and they do go bad. Still if you above getting the car service not by yourself better be in official dealer other than any corner independent as the price difference would not be big and you still gonna get this relax warranty, at least for the drive train and Battery. 

[Mojo1010]

50 minutes ago, TonyHSD said:

 The biggest issue I personally have is that this warranty does not cover headlights!? These are ultra expensive on most models, LED sealed package , no bulb replacement and when they gone you need a whole new headlight, £1000 +. , and they do go bad. Still if you above getting the car service not by yourself better be in official dealer other than any corner independent as the price difference would not be big and you still gonna get this relax warranty, at least for the drive train and battery. 

That is also a consideration for me, when my current MK4 Yaris is 3 years old, most likely trade/sell for the 130 cross. It will be the same concern with cross at 3 years old, but at least I have the car more suitable for me. 

[FROSTYBALLS]

15 hours ago, Serban said:

I mean, sure. Are they actually doing all that you've mentioned? That's what I want, otherwise I'm hesitating.

At the end of the day, any garage you use, whether a main dealer or independent, may or may not take shortcuts as regards servicing. This type of thing isn't limited to main dealers, but can happen at any garage.

1 hour ago, TonyHSD said:

The biggest issue I personally have is that this warranty does not cover headlights!?

Warranties, whether new car warranty or extended warranty (eg. Relax) cover manufacturing faults. If an LED headlight fails due to reaching the end of it's intended life, that isn't a manufacturing fault.

[TonyHSD]

I agreed with above the lights if reach it’s designed hours of life and fail but my point is premature failure as usually this is the problem.
I see often Auris ph cars and recently Corolla and rarely Prius with one working led headlight, and now I know the reason, way too expensive to replace outside warranty. 
This is something unacceptable for a car not to have replaceable bulbs and the whole unit needs to go, that makes Toyota same as any other cars which are best to be avoided, like top German brands. If lights are called a consumable similar to brakes, 12v batteries , clutches and exclude from car warranty,  then the owners should have ability to change only these parts and not the whole unit. If the clutch goes bad we change the clutch, not the whole transmission, right ?! 
I will happily buy icon spec Toyota with halogen bulbs but those are pure garbage, they dose not provide good enough light pattern to match older models. , add that these cars are so basic and they are out of consideration for me personally, only good for fleet , rentals, courtesy cars. 

 

[Parts-King]

43 minutes ago, TonyHSD said:

This is something unacceptable for a car not to have replaceable bulbs and the whole unit needs to go, that makes Toyota same as any other cars which are best to be avoided, like top German brands. If lights are called a consumable similar to brakes, 12v batteries , clutches and exclude from car warranty,  then the owners should have ability to change only these parts and not the whole unit. 

Everybody wants the latest "must have" LED lamps are one of those items. It has become a world where we just replace, nobody repairs anything, who knows a TV repair man? Hardly any left, we just buy a new one. Just because a headlamp is expensive is no excuse to run around with one out, PH or any driver for that matter should be factoring these things into their budget

[Jimota]

I’ve yet to have my first service experience with Toyota and my local dealership as the car is only 9 months old.  Everything so far has been a pleasant experience and I have no reason to give constructive criticism of the dealership and the brand in general.

[haelewyn]

Did you guys think about finding a garage with who you agree that you can watch the entire maintenance while they do it.

Many will refuse. Some will not. Imho that is how you find an honest garage.

@TonyHsd : Also multimedia fails prematurely on all brands and is very expensive + often excluded from prolonged warranty. 

General idea for me : I didn't buy an aygo to have it serviced yearly at 250, next year 500 euro. I bought it to have a good cheap car and run it cheap.

Still.... the warranty and assistance are a good plus to consider to have the maintenance done in from dealership. 

[MikeSh]

25 minutes ago, haelewyn said:

I bought it to have a good cheap car and run it cheap.

That's bonkers. The depreciation on a new car over the first couple of years far outweighs any running costs. Cheap motoring is really only possible with a pre-owned card where someone else has taken the big hit.

And leasing is not really any better as the monthlies include their estimate of the depreciation.

[Cyker]

It depends what you mean by 'cheap' motoring; Overall, bangernomics usually wins, but for day-to-day running costs and reliability, these new Toyota models will beat any second hand car, esp. now that diesels have been demonized and subject to sanctions, charges, fines etc.

Buying new front-loads a lot of the cost, so either need to hold onto the car for longer or hope the resell value stays high to make it back!