Franchise Or Non-franchise Service

[peterfoster]

My Mark 7 will shortly be coming up for its 4 year service which will, of course, be the first service since the expiration of the main warranty. Should I continue to maintain the vehicle's "Full Toyota Service History" or should I consider getting the beast serviced by a non-Toyota franchise establishment. Cost is a consideration as is possible reflection on the car's residual value of a failure to offer "FTSH." Can the car be reasonably serviced by non-franchised outfits? i.e. are there lots of expensive specialist tools which are required for the service which only Toyota service centres might have. Would a move away from the Toyota "service umbrella" obviate any of the remaining warranties - e.g. the anti-corrosion warranty.

[cabcurtains]

Full Toyota History won't pay for itself, on a Ferrari it would!

There shouldn’t be any service tools that are specialist, only the diagnostic equipment that’s needed if you have a major problem, however most Indi's will have code readers etc.

Dealer Pro's: Courtesy Cars, Coffee , Export Knowledge in theory, Stamp in the Service Book

Con's: Price, YTS lad could be doing your service,

Independent Pro's: Price, Own business ethics,

Con's: No Coffee or warm seating area, No Courtesy Car, Do you know them

Personally I go to Mr T for service (because of the Courtesy Car/No Hassle Factor) and anyone else for all other work

[Scarlett Arrow]

The key here is knowing of a reputable Independent you can trust. Once you've found one, not only can you expect a higher level of care than a Toyota Dealer, but substantially lower labour rates too. As cabcurtains has mentioned, the difference in residual value between FTSH and FSH will be minute. The anti corrosion warranty would not be affected but I would recommend you supply genuine Toyota parts such as Oil and Air Filter to the Independent as well as a top quality Oil.

[marty32]

im in the same boat, i have a 2004 celica this is due its 5th service soon and i have been weighing up if to use toyota or not. the factor i am considering is in relation to the oil consumption problems, even though i have a facelift model and shouldnt encounter this problem

having read posts relating to this, the extra 30-40 quid it will cost me for using main dealer would be save multiple times over if i need a new engine block, as previous posts suggest toyota foot the bill up to 7 years 100000 miles as long as you have full toyota history

likelyhood for me is that im going to use my main dealer. it seems that there is a variation in levels of customer care received, i must be quite lucky in the fac that the dealer i use is on of the better ones around

[Scarlett Arrow]

Just want to point out Marty that claims for a replacement Short Engine in the 7 year period do not need FTSH.

[marty32]

thought id read somewere that they did?

were do we stand with that then, is it something down the lines of as long as a vat regiatered garage is used to service vehicle and is doen to manufacturers specifications

[Scarlett Arrow]

I'm sure each claim is assessed separately, obviously the higher the percentage of Toyota stamps the better and any work carried out by an Independent must be verified and show genuine Toyota parts used.

I just thought it was important to point this out as your post could dissuade someone without FTSH from claiming :)