T-spirit New Owner And Full Service Question

[Kettle]

Hello,

I first posted a few months ago when I was considering buying a secondhand Yaris - thanks for the advice - I since privately purchased a T-spirit which is just approaching it's forth birthday and 40,000 miles, I am very pleased with it so far!

As it's coming up for a full service I want to make sure that it's properly looked after and gets all the attention it requires, but I'm not fussed about getting dealer stamps and I get the impression from reading other threads here that dealer servicing is nothing short of a rip-off.

It's a long shot, but I don't suppose there's anyone in my area who can recommend somewhere better value - I live near Derby and I work in Loughborough. Failing that, any general advice on selecting an independant to service a diesel Yaris would be gratefully received.

Thanks,

Kettle

[Demonic Angel]

Hi Kettle!

Glad to hear you are happy with your new T-Spirit (excellent choice!)

I used to live in Leicestershire and I got my Yaris serviced in Leicester - Farmer & Carlisle are a rip off but I found a servicing outlet in Leicester that quoted me £100 cheaper than F&C and provided excellent service - they are actually a Nissan dealership and for my full service the quote was unbeatable (by Toyota that is)!

Here's the link if you want to check them out! Click me!

I can understand that Toyota servicing doesnt appeal but I was genuinely impressed with the service I got.

[Parts-King]

Hello,

As it's coming up for a full service I want to make sure that it's properly looked after and gets all the attention it requires, but I'm not fussed about getting dealer stamps and I get the impression from reading other threads here that dealer servicing is nothing short of a rip-off.

tut tut, Why should class "Dealer servicing as a rip off" Have you phoned a dealer? Do you have any experience of this? NO you are basing your quote on the experiences of others. I'm all for good and impartial information, but don't tarnish us all with the same brush!

Kingo

No1 Customer Satisfaction Centre 2006, Probably one where you won't be ripped off!

[Kettle]

tut tut, Why should class "Dealer servicing as a rip off" Have you phoned a dealer? Do you have any experience of this? NO you are basing your quote on the experiences of others. I'm all for good and impartial information, but don't tarnish us all with the same brush!

Fair point...however I've just phoned up my local dealer, they've quoted me £380 (!)

...that includes:

Gearbox oil change

Engine oil and Fliter

Air Filter

Fuel Filter

Cooland

Brake fluid

Half that price is still expensive as far as I'm concerned!

[Parts-King]

I don't know your exact model (petrol/diesel) so I cant work out a price for you, £380 may be expensive, but not neccasarily a rip off! Have you asked for a discount? Do you know the labour rate? How many hours are they charging you? Questions you should be asking before engaging gear in an open forum, I suggest you look at the parts prices and labour prices seperatley, then compare these with a non franchised dealer, the parts would almost certainly be very similar, but Fred in the shed may well be charging half the labour for half the knowledge, if that suits you, fine, but lets have an open debate on pricing before crying "Rip off dealers"

Kingo

[Kettle]

I don't know your exact model (petrol/diesel) so I cant work out a price for you, £380 may be expensive, but not neccasarily a rip off! Have you asked for a discount? Do you know the labour rate? How many hours are they charging you? Questions you should be asking before engaging gear in an open forum, I suggest you look at the parts prices and labour prices seperatley, then compare these with a non franchised dealer, the parts would almost certainly be very similar, but Fred in the shed may well be charging half the labour for half the knowledge, if that suits you, fine, but lets have an open debate on pricing before crying "Rip off dealers"

Easy now Parts King, you come across somewhat irked...this is an open debate.

As I said in my original post - it's a T-Spirit (Diesel) that I'm looking to get serviced.

The break-down I was given was £330 for a full service (which includes 2 hour's labour) That's a lot of money for two filters and four fluids installed. I was told that the service also includes 'free' general inspection. Then I was told it would need the brake fluid doing as well taking it up to £380.

The concept of having to ask for a discount which can then automatically be given just because you've asked for it, suggests a certain degree of extortion for those who don't ask. I call that a rip-off.

The whole point of me posting here - apart from to say "hello" was to see if there are experienced and reliable independents out there to avoid paying a premium for a dealer's stamp without compromising on quality.

Thanks,

[Parts-King]

I don't know your exact model (petrol/diesel) so I cant work out a price for you, £380 may be expensive, but not neccasarily a rip off! Have you asked for a discount? Do you know the labour rate? How many hours are they charging you? Questions you should be asking before engaging gear in an open forum, I suggest you look at the parts prices and labour prices seperatley, then compare these with a non franchised dealer, the parts would almost certainly be very similar, but Fred in the shed may well be charging half the labour for half the knowledge, if that suits you, fine, but lets have an open debate on pricing before crying "Rip off dealers"

Easy now Parts King, you come across somewhat irked...this is an open debate.

Thanks,

The only thing that "Irks" me is this unfounded generalisation, that before you had called any dealer to enquire of prices, you relied on a few threads that assumed "All" dealers were a "Rip off" I work on the other side of the fence so I'm bound to be "Irked" If you went to buy a new TV would you haggle? maybe, if you went to buy a new 3 piece suite, would you be asking to drop the delivery charge and round it down to the nearest hundred? probably, if you went to buy a new T Spirit, would you ask, how much discount for cash? almost certainly, it's a buyers market and always open to negotiation, I don't think anybody pays the first price they are quoted, your not neccesarily being ripped off, your just not getting the best deal.

Having looked at a few pricing options, our service and repair costs are cheaper than your quotation. Maybe our labour rates are cheaper, who knows, but please do your homework first before you jump in with both feet, there are two sides to every story, and believe me, I will always give the other side of the story......even if only to provoke an open debate. Oh.......and Hello.......lol ;)

Kingo

[DaveSR]

The Toyota garage meantioned above by Demonic Angel was £50 more expensive than my other two local Toyotas .....

Shop around and when they give you a price say 'blah blah' can do it at this price and they normally match it ;)

[Kettle]

The Toyota garage meantioned above by Demonic Angel was £50 more expensive than my other two local Toyotas .....

Shop around and when they give you a price say 'blah blah' can do it at this price and they normally match it ;)

Yeah, I reckon you're right - fortunately there are dealers all over the place - three or four within sensible distance of where I live or where I work, so I'll play them off against each other and see how much I can get this £380 down to.

...will post the results.

Thank you all for the advice.

Kettle

[toekneem]

The Toyota garage meantioned above by Demonic Angel was £50 more expensive than my other two local Toyotas .....

Shop around and when they give you a price say 'blah blah' can do it at this price and they normally match it ;)

Yeah, I reckon you're right - fortunately there are dealers all over the place - three or four within sensible distance of where I live or where I work, so I'll play them off against each other and see how much I can get this £380 down to.

...will post the results.

Thank you all for the advice.

Kettle

Just had the first 10,000 mile service done at my local Toyota garage and the price was £113, That I don`t think is too bad when you get a full car wash and a curtesy car if you need it

[Blue84]

Hiya,

Well our Local Toyota quoted £134 for a 30,000 mile service yet a local Toyota/Lexus Specialist did the last 20,000 service and their quote was £100 less than what Toyota wanted for that! I know the 20,000 was a full service too whereas the 30,000 is an interim one (as i call it).

However it really is swings and roundabouts in your local area I've noticed - some places Mr T is the best option.....

[Kettle]

Hello again,

I put off the service until after a holiday which has now just been and gone. I now have a selection of quotes which vary quite considerably, but I'm also getting mixed messages regarding a gearbox oil change - one dealer in particular is telling me that this is required.

Is a gearbox oilchange necessary on a 40k diesel yaris?

Many thanks for your sharing your collective knowlege!

[Chris81]

It should state in your service/warranty manual when a gearbox oil change is due.