Rip Off Merchants

[Geraint34]

Hi everyone. I took my 2005 Avensis D4D in for it's 50000 mile service on Saturday to my local Toyota garage. It was the intermidiate service (every 10000 miles). I knew the rear tyres needed changing because they have been on there from new. I changed the front tyres about 13000 miles ago, and was expecting a few more thousand out of them. All tyres up to this point have been purchased from this Toyota garage. Looking back at my receipts, the last set of front tyres I purchased from them lasted about 21000 miles. Anyway, the manager approached me to say that I needed 4 news tyres, to which I was very surprised to hear. He alse said the car needed tracking, which would cost £84!!! Now, I know when a car needs tracking as you usually feel it pulling to one side. My car does not pull to one side. To cut a long story short, I had the service and the two rear tyres from Toyota, and then went to ATS to have a set of front tyres as I no longer trust my local Toyota garage. I inspected the two front tyres, and they were indeed worn, but they were evenly worn. Basically I think this was a simple case of someone at the garage wanting a Christmas bonus! Don't get me worng, it it needed tracking, I would have had it done as I look after my car (although I wouldn't have had it done through Toyota with their prices!). The car's warranty is up in March, and the next service will be due around July, so I will NOT be using this Toyota Garage again. Their prices are extortinate, and I do not like being lied to for them to make a quick buck for something that does not need doing. Also, I believe that the front tyres they sold me were of poor quality. My driving style has not changed at all, although no doubt Toyota would put it down to that!

[bjw]

I think you have just been unlucky!! most Toyota dealers are very good in fact I would say better than other car dealers from other manufacturers .

The front tyres do seem to wear unevenly on the Avensis I used to get about 13,000 miles from the fronts on the new Avensis !!! but on the old shape Avensis I used to get 25,000 and if I am honest the only way I can tell if the car needs tracking is by the uneven tyre wear .

I also always get a quote first from the dealer for tyres if expensive I go elsewhere

Perhaps you should look for another Toyota dealer in your area

[Geraint34]

I think you have just been unlucky!! most Toyota dealers are very good in fact I would say better than other car dealers from other manufacturers .

The front tyres do seem to wear unevenly on the Avensis I used to get about 13,000 miles from the fronts on the new Avensis !!! but on the old shape Avensis I used to get 25,000 and if I am honest the only way I can tell if the car needs tracking is by the uneven tyre wear .

I also always get a quote first from the dealer for tyres if expensive I go elsewhere

Perhaps you should look for another Toyota dealer in your area

[Geraint34]

I think you have just been unlucky!! most Toyota dealers are very good in fact I would say better than other car dealers from other manufacturers .

The front tyres do seem to wear unevenly on the Avensis I used to get about 13,000 miles from the fronts on the new Avensis !!! but on the old shape Avensis I used to get 25,000 and if I am honest the only way I can tell if the car needs tracking is by the uneven tyre wear .

I also always get a quote first from the dealer for tyres if expensive I go elsewhere

Perhaps you should look for another Toyota dealer in your area

I accept that these days with power steering and front wheel drive that the front tyres do not last as long as they used to, but given that the wear was even, I was surprised when they tried to say that the tracking needed adjustment. I have been driving for over 20 years, and in the past I have recognised when a cars tracking is out down to the pull to one side. I will be going to another garage from now on. The only reason I went to Toyota was to keep up to date with the warranty, but now that is up in March, I can use any garage I wish. It will still have a full service history, and lets face it how much work is actually done on a service? Even a full service just involves more inspection work. I can change the oil, filter, air filter, brake pads etc myself. The only reason I choose not to is down to lack of time. Don't get me wrong, I am more than happy with the Avensis. It is by far the best car I have ever had, although I do get problems with the windows misting up easilly, but that happens on my sister's Nissan Micra also, so I wonder if that is down to Japaneese design? I would by another Toyota if it were not for the fact that I am purchasing a touring caravan, and the Avensis is a bit on the light side for towing, so it is the new Mondeo for me next time round as it is heavier.