Keep Full Toyota Service History Or Go Independent For Service?

[bigup]

Hi guys

Im due a Service A (90K) service on my Avensis 1.8 GS, 1998.

This will be my first service since owning this vehicle (purchased with 81k on the clock)

firstly how much approx does it cost for a Service A at Toyota?

also im considering taking it to an independent garage, are there any disadvantages of this? of course i will get them to stamp the service book, will it knock any ££ off the car value for when i come to sell it (not for at least 2 years yet!)

thanks!

[Parva]

It's absolutely pointless paying Toyota for a major service on a car of that age and hoping that it in some way helps it to retain some value. You would be better saving your money and having the service done more cheaply at a local garage because the car is worth little in resale value terms. I own a 2001 Avensis GLS in black which has various goodies over the standard model but realisticly I know it's worth next to nothing with regards to resale value.

I have no idea what you're expecting in terms of resale value for a 1996 model but I think I can safely say that the price of a Toyota full service will probably come pretty close to the resale value of your car! I wish I was kidding, believe me. :(

[bigup]

thanks for the reply mate

i was thinking the same, will take it to a local garage for a service

i mean i can do it my self but i would like to get a stamp in the service book

[gazza1286]

Do it yourself and buy a genuine Toyota Filter etc. That way you have a document which can demonstrate to any future purchaser that you serviced the car on or around the date of the receipt.

[bigup]

thanks gazza

has anyone got a list of what is required for a Service A, i.e what needs to be changed?

[funkyg]

Get yourself a Haynes manual, will be in there. To be honest as it's the first one while you have had it I would be inclined to do as a minium oil and filter, fuel filter, air filter, plugs. I don't know if the pre-VVTi engines are belt or chain driven, if it's a belt I'd do that as well. Cam belt is usually one of the first things I change when I get a new car purely as a precaution.

I have a Haynes in my car, I'll have a gander later and let you know what they reccomend.

[bigup]

thanks funkyg!

[funkyg]

Hey!

Here is the service schedule according to Haynes.

5000 miles / 6 months oil and filter

10000 miles / 12 months check drive belts

clean air filter

check bettery

check auto trans fluid

check brake pads and discs

check wheel nuts tightness

lube locks and hidges

20000 / 24 months

change pollen filter

check coolant strength

check and adjust brake pedal

check and adjust handbrake

check hoses

check man trans fluid

check exhaust sys

check evaporative emission control

check steering and susp components

check driveshaft an cv joint gaitors

renew brake fluid

check for body corrosion

renew remote locking Battery

40000 miles 3 years

renew air filter

renew coolant

renew spark plugs (except engines with platinum tipped plugs)

renew fuel filter

renew transmission oil/fluid

60000 miles / 6 years

renew spark plugs (engine platinum tipped plugs only)

renewn timing belt (pre august 2000 models only)

check and adjust valve clearances

Have fun!