new car purchase additional info required

[russy1966]

hi all firs post. i have just well ordered 6 months ago the Yaris hybrid Gr sport . the car is being delivered on March 1st. dealer has called me tonight asking me do i want to take up the service plan option by monthy fixed price of £27 a month wich inc 3 x services . mot rac cover ect . my question is this worth taking up. thanks in advance all.

also anything else i need to know please by all means let e know as this is my first new car as recently retired.

[Paul john]

IMHO not worth it. If you underestimate your mileage they will ask you to top up your plan if there is not enough money in it to pay for the service. If you overestimate your mileage there is no “refund” of the money it stays in the plan. 
3 services are 2 minor one major.

[Big_D]

In my opinion it is worth it. Service prices are fixed at the current price, even if they go up. With my last Toyota, they refunded me the unused portion when I part exchanged the car. As an added bonus, my Dealer fits any bulbs/wiper blades for free, and I get a 10% discount on all parts.

[FROSTYBALLS]

24 minutes ago, Paul john said:

IMHO not worth it. If you underestimate your mileage they will ask you to top up your plan if there is not enough money in it to pay for the service. If you overestimate your mileage there is no “refund” of the money it stays in the plan. 
3 services are 2 minor one major. 

Not how service plans work, and I have experience of service plans with our last 10 new cars. Service plans don't get topped up in the way you describe.

One is buying three services, 1 MOT (done with the third service), and 2 years roadside assistance (which added to the 1 year that comes with the new car warranty covers 3 years in total).

What you gain is that you are fixing your servicing costs, cost of 1 MOT and 2 years Roadside Assistance renewal at today's prices. Plus, if that helps you to budget, you are paying a fixed cost monthly for the duration of the plan.

You should be able to tailor your plan to what you want. For example, if you just want the services covered, without the MOT and Roadside Assistance.

[Paul john]

15 minutes ago, FROSTYBALLS said:

Not how service plans work, and I have experience of service plans with our last 10 new cars. Service plans don't get topped up in the way you describe.

One is buying three services, 1 MOT (done with the third service), and 2 years roadside assistance (which added to the 1 year that comes with the new car warranty covers 3 years in total).

What you gain is that you are fixing your servicing costs, cost of 1 MOT and 2 years Roadside Assistance renewal at today's prices. Plus, if that helps you to budget, you are paying a fixed cost monthly for the duration of the plan.

You should be able to tailor your plan to what you want. For example, if you just want the services covered, without the MOT and Roadside Assistance.

That’s how Steven Eagell Do it. 
the only questions they ask are “ how many miles per year “ the price then varies on that. 
if you run over millage they estimate a top up fee.  Under the guise of “there is not enough in your plan to pay for the service at that millage”
 

https://www.steveneagell.co.uk/toyota/servicing/service-plans/

got caught by them 2 years in a row, then cancelled plan and pay “upfront” now as I see the plans as a con.

[jthspace]

?? With services at X miles or 12 months whichever comes first, how the heck can they charge a top-up for unexpected miles?

It's (e.g.) 10,000 miles or 12 months according to the service requirements in the handbook.

Sounds like a rip-off

[glencrannog]

i ask, what would you do if you don't take the Plan? I see you are, like myself, elderly. I took the plan as I simply don't want the hassle as I get older. As it happens, my !st service was 2 days ago. No problems. Only thing I think of is the fact I'm fairly high mileage (13000 a year), and the 1st service has come at just over 9 months. A this rate, 3rd service will be due after 27 months. There are other benefits on the plan, like free puncture repairs, so I would suggest calling at the dealer soon to ask for a full copy of what the Plan offers. Then you will be able to make your decision, with the full facts. I am pleased with the plan. Enjoy your new car, I'm sure you will.By the way, i told them about the 13000 a year and the price I pay is £27.00 a month.

[Paul john]

1 minute ago, jthspace said:

?? With services at X miles or 12 months whichever comes first, how the heck can they charge a top-up for unexpected miles?

It's (e.g.) 10,000 miles or 12 months according to the service requirements in the handbook.

Sounds like a rip-off

Yes it is. 
it works like this(estimated prices for example)

8,000 per year £12 per month

12,000 per year £26 per month 

this is so you meet your mileage allowance with the money “banked” meets that service cost.

if you reach your 10k limit before your “banked” monthly cost matches the service cost you will be asked to pay the difference.

trust me i have been burned twice

 

[Paul john]

7 minutes ago, glencrannog said:

i ask, what would you do if you don't take the Plan? I see you are, like myself, elderly. I took the plan as I simply don't want the hassle as I get older. As it happens, my !st service was 2 days ago. No problems. Only thing I think of is the fact I'm fairly high mileage (13000 a year), and the 1st service has come at just over 9 months. A this rate, 3rd service will be due after 27 months. There are other benefits on the plan, like free puncture repairs, so I would suggest calling at the dealer soon to ask for a full copy of what the Plan offers. Then you will be able to make your decision, with the full facts. I am pleased with the plan. Enjoy your new car, I'm sure you will

Simple. would your monthly payment multiplied by 27 pay add up to the value of the service?

[FROSTYBALLS]

27 minutes ago, Paul john said:

the only questions they ask are “ how many miles per year “ the price then varies on that. 
if you run over millage they estimate a top up fee. 

With Toyota service intervals being 12 months or 10,000 miles, whichever occurs first, if the anticipated annual mileage is over 10,000, that would obviously indicate additional services may be required depending on the length of plan being considered, and should be covered at the outset of the plan.

So if your annual mileage is 12,000, that would mean if your plan covers 3 services, the last service would be due at 30,000 and done at less than 3 years. Not rocket science.

However all of the service plans I have had, from marques including Honda, Hyundai, Mazda, Nissan and Toyota, the service plans have been for the first three services, period.

Doesn't matter what annual mileage I've done - and the cars have all been serviced when the manufacturer's service interval has been reached (e.g. every 12 months or 10,000 miles, whichever occurs first). If that has meant the 3rd service is done at 30,000/ 2 years six months, that's in keeping with the service interval.

10 minutes ago, Paul john said:

Simple. would your monthly payment multiplied by 27 pay add up to the value of the service?

Which doesn't fix your service costs, and in respect of the OP, with what they've been offered, won't fix the cost of the first MOT or the two Roadside Assistance renewals for the duration of the plan. Price rises do occur !

[glencrannog]

In my individual case it is worth it, but I do realise it is an individual decision.

[Paul john]

6 minutes ago, FROSTYBALLS said:

With Toyota service intervals being 12 months or 10,000 miles, whichever occurs first, if the anticipated annual mileage is over 10,000, that would obviously indicate additional services may be required depending on the length of plan being considered, and should be covered at the outset of the plan.

So if your annual mileage is 12,000, that would mean if your plan covers 3 services, the last service would be due at 30,000 and done at less than 3 years. Not rocket science.

However all of the service plans I have had, from marques including Honda, Hyundai, Mazda, Nissan and Toyota, the service plans have been for the first three services, period.

Doesn't matter what annual mileage I've done - and the cars have all been serviced when the manufacturer's service interval has been reached (e.g. every 12 months or 10,000 miles, whichever occurs first). If that has meant the 3rd service is done at 30,000/ 2 years six months, that's in keeping with the service interval.

Which doesn't fix your service costs, and in respect of the OP, with what they've been offered, won't fix the cost of the first MOT or the two Roadside Assistance renewals for the duration of the plan. Price rises do occur !

Talk to Steven Eagell if you have any questions over the monthly payment calculation vs the actual banked amount against your millage. 
I found that due to work I had eaten into my 10k in 7 months but the calculated “monthly service fee” only added up to 75% of the service cost so I was asked to pay the difference to reset the plan to “zero balance”. 
I am not making this shit up. It happened. Twice. 

[FROSTYBALLS]

Have no interest in speaking to your dealer.

Perhaps it would have been best to be clearer earlier in the topic about why you were asked to reset the plan. Normally a plan is set out to cover your anticipated mileage during the period of the plan. If your mileage increases dramatically early in the plan, as it appears to have done so in your case, it would probably have made sense to contact the dealer and adjust the plan to take account of the changed circumstances.

[Paul john]

2 minutes ago, FROSTYBALLS said:

Have no interest in speaking to your dealer.

Perhaps it would have been best to be clearer earlier in the topic about why you were asked to reset the plan. Normally a plan is set out to cover your anticipated mileage during the period of the plan. If your mileage increases dramatically early in the plan, as it appears to have done so in your case, it would probably have made sense to contact the dealer and adjust the plan to take account of the changed circumstances.

All points you raise are true. 
what the OP asked was “are the service plans worthwhile” 

I was sharing my service plan experience and opinion on that experience  

 

[bathtub tom]

I'm a cynic, but if someone calls me, trying to flog me something, I tend to think it's probably worth more to them than me?

[Cyker]

That is super weird; When my dealer tries to get me to sign up for a service plan it's just based on inter-full-inter or full-inter-full; Mileage didn't even come into it. If I did more than 10k miles, I assumed I'd just book the services earlier, with the only issue being I'd get into this weird limbo where the service plan finished before I'd finished paying for it  

At the end of the day, the service plans are basically a way of spreading the cost of the service over a longer period, so you don't get hit with the full cost in one go. They rarely have any other benefits, the only real one I can think of is prices are locked in so it won't go up during the term.

 

[Paul john]

10 minutes ago, Cyker said:

That is super weird; When my dealer tries to get me to sign up for a service plan it's just based on inter-full-inter or full-inter-full; Mileage didn't even come into it. If I did more than 10k miles, I assumed I'd just book the services earlier, with the only issue being I'd get into this weird limbo where the service plan finished before I'd finished paying for it  

At the end of the day, the service plans are basically a way of spreading the cost of the service over a longer period, so you don't get hit with the full cost in one go. They rarely have any other benefits, the only real one I can think of is prices are locked in so it won't go up during the term.

 

I’m guessing you have never had a dramatic increase in millage. 

[Mojo1010]

10 hours ago, Cyker said:

That is super weird; When my dealer tries to get me to sign up for a service plan it's just based on inter-full-inter or full-inter-full; Mileage didn't even come into it. If I did more than 10k miles, I assumed I'd just book the services earlier, with the only issue being I'd get into this weird limbo where the service plan finished before I'd finished paying for it  

 

 

That won't happen, as Paul John mentioned. If you done 10k miles in 6 months, will be ask to top up to pay the difference of the service. 

Example £25 p/m x 6 = 150

Example Full Service £300. 

£150 top up. 

[Roy124]

I have taken the Inter-full-inter option for my first Toyota.   I sold the car after the full service.   I calculated the cost to equal my payments and stopped paying.  There was no refund or extra payment required.

Next car plan was inter-full.  The cost was wrapped up with the purchase.  I may or may not reach the point for a full service.  It will be more difficult to unravel the refund due.

Next time I would go for the separate plan. 

[Roy124]

11 hours ago, bathtub tom said:

I'm a cynic, but if someone calls me, trying to flog me something, I tend to think it's probably worth more to them than me?

True but:

Yes, it shoukd save a few Bob.

Why the phone call?  Well they have tied you down to pay a specific amount for your new car - the highest monthly payment you wanted to pay, say £400.  To include a service plan at that point would make it say £430.  Problem.

Agree £400. Problem solved.

Now try the service plan sell at 'only' £30.  Problem solved. 

Their future business is assured and you will realise a notional saving.  All happy.

 

[Cyker]

9 hours ago, Mojo1010 said:

That won't happen, as Paul John mentioned. If you done 10k miles in 6 months, will be ask to top up to pay the difference of the service. 

Example £25 p/m x 6 = 150

Example Full Service £300. 

£150 top up. 

Hmm, nothing like that was mentioned to me when I queried it (I did point out I do above average miles per year!) - Good thing I didn't take one out by the sound of it!

 

[dannyboy413]

We don't have this problem in Ireland. The purchase price includes the first 3 services and, if I remember correctly, 3 years breakdown cover. Of course, the purchase price would probably be a bit cheaper if they were not included, but it does mean buyers here do not have to worry about servicing costs for those 3 years. 😉

[RonYarisX]

On 2/8/2024 at 8:27 PM, russy1966 said:

hi all firs post. i have just well ordered 6 months ago the Yaris hybrid Gr sport . the car is being delivered on March 1st. dealer has called me tonight asking me do i want to take up the service plan option by monthy fixed price of £27 a month wich inc 3 x services . mot rac cover ect . my question is this worth taking up. thanks in advance all.

also anything else i need to know please by all means let e know as this is my first new car as recently retired.

Hi russy1966

You're probably thinking you wish you'd never asked reading the above replies 🤣

I take out service plans with my VW group cars because they often run 'special offers' which makes the plan cheaper than if I were using 'pay-as-you-go'

With the Toyota however there were no special offers. I refused their service plan based on:

Those 3 services will be 2 intermediate + 1 full service. At current PAYG prices thats:

2 x £230 + 1 x £315 = £775

The Service Plan offer is:

36 payments x £27 = £648 for the other two. Total £972

The difference between the plan and PAYG is £972 - £775 = £197

So the question is really, is 2yr of breakdown cover and 1 x MOT worth £197 ?

And that all depends on your personal preference / circumstances. What I can say is that for us, we don't need European breakdown cover and overnight accomodation and most other things that come with a premium breakdown package. All I wanted was Home Start ( they'll come to your home ) and the car recovering to the nearest dealer if they're unable to fix it.

I bought a breakdown package with a company going thru TopCashBack website so effectively it's cost me less than £20 a year.  MOT?  3 months ago I bought an MOT with ATS Euromaster via Groupon for £25 - that offer is still on. Several other garages offer MOT's for around £29 - there's always a deal to be had.

So my decision was £197 to have Toyota breakdown and MOT or £65 to sort out 2yr breakdown and 1 x MOT myself.

At the end of the day only you can decide what's best for you.

Hope that helps.

[Roy124]

Service plan alone is probably fine.  When do you plan to change that car?

A typical PCP is 42 months.  If you plan to go to term the 2 inter and one full makes sense.

If you might sell at 2.5yrs/25 000 point then a 1×1 plan is better. 

[adelynschans]

I’m in a similar boat, just ordered a new car myself (though I went for something different), and I’ve also been thinking about all these service plans and extras they try to sell you. Personally, I’d weigh up how long you plan to keep the car and how much driving you'll do. If you're going to hold on to it for a while, the fixed monthly cost could give you some peace of mind.