Servicing Costs For Avensis Via Main Toyota Dealers

[Danny K]

Just been quoted £365 +vat for a main service (80,000 miles) for my newly acquired 2002 1.8 GS hatchback and £250+vat for the interim service.

Have yet to trawl the net, but I'd be prepared to travel over a 100 miles for servicing costs less than that, for what is let's face it, is little more than an engine oil 'n' filter change with a visual inspection (they seem to just love wasting valuable and costly time writing up a totally needless detailed report on the millimeters of tread left on each tyre - I mean really - you have to pay to be told that!?!)

- Is there a 'sticky' anywhere on this forum containing those Toyota main dealers with reasonable servicing costs, or is private the only way to go?

How does £365 (well £400+ really when the vat is added on), for an Avensis 20,000 mile main service, compare to your area?

[Duffryn]

When I bought my '07 1.8 from the local main dealer last summer I paid £359 up front to cover the next two services, which were the 20k & 30k services.

Only had the 20k service so far, with no additional charges, so your quote certainly seems excessive.

[carinfront]

Crikey that's steep!

My dealer does a service plan, £300 for the next 2 services. Pay by direct debit over 2 years, interest free as well. I thought most dealers did this?!

Sure the Toyota website has a section about service plans under the "Owner" area on the main menu bar. Check it out.

Might want to ring up and ask yr service dept. Or start ringing other dealers in your county etc.

On a related note, I was chatting to family friend today, a mechanic with his own business, he has a couple of Toyotas, He buys all the original parts from Mr T, and does it himself. He also does this for his customers for their cars, be it Toyota or Audi etc. He saves them a small fortune and keeps the warranty valid. Might ant to consider getting original parts for the service from Mr T and get it done by an independent you trust. But this is not for everyone, just giving you an option.

Good luck.

[Fitter]

Just been quoted £365 +vat for a main service (80,000 miles) for my newly acquired 2002 1.8 GS hatchback and £250+vat for the interim service.

Have yet to trawl the net, but I'd be prepared to travel over a 100 miles for servicing costs less than that, for what is let's face it, is little more than an engine oil 'n' filter change with a visual inspection (they seem to just love wasting valuable and costly time writing up a totally needless detailed report on the millimeters of tread left on each tyre - I mean really - you have to pay to be told that!?!)

- Is there a 'sticky' anywhere on this forum containing those Toyota main dealers with reasonable servicing costs, or is private the only way to go?

How does £365 (well £400+ really when the vat is added on), for an Avensis 20,000 mile main service, compare to your area?

Can't say about main service yet but my first interim service cost £140 inc. Vat at Minories Toyota at Durham City in December so I think that you need to shop around.

Regards Fitter

[Danny K]

Thanks all - yes, you've all confirmed my fears - I thought the price the young lad quoted me was a bit high, and at the dealers he did admit that the head honcho who dealt with this was absent so maybe he made a mistake?

So, phoned Duffryn's Gloucester dealer and was quoted £324 - less, but still expensive. Then PHONED my own local dealer again, (feigning forgetfulness as to the price quoted and this time spoke to someone else who quoted a lot less - £249. So, it's coming down.

I've only owned this Avensis for less than a week so I want a main Toyota dealer service to start off with, after that I will find local independents, only using the main dealer every other year or so.

[caveman_si]

Just had a 20k service on a 08 avensis.

cost £220 as I had a few extras done.

But i have been getting quotes of £185 to £200 for a 20k service. Does an 80k service include a belt change if so that will push the price up.

If you dont mind a drive up to near chester ask parts king for a price for a service.

[Danny K]

Right, got that £249 revised quote down to £182 all-in, because apparently I'm registered for this Pro-tect discount thing, (presupposing no extras like Wiper Blades etc., - no belt change Caveman, they're chain and supposed to last the life of the engine), and that quote was from the first Toyota main dealer that initially quoted me well over £300+ !!! :o

- And at £182 for a main 20k service it's a done deal so I've booked in on that for my 80k Avensis. Sort'ed!

And that's as it should be for the Avensis - the first figure starting with a £one, and not a £three.

I've got the detailed print-out estimate in front of me, and it's shockingly simple, basically an oil change - there's nothing too complicated at all; where's all this computerised readout stuff that's supposed to be beyond the home handyman? So may well do my own servicing in future, in just the same way as I do my motorbikes.

If they hadn't come down to £182, I would have done just what you suggest Caveman, and used the opportunity to visit/stay with family relatives at the same time.

P.S. If £182 for a major 20K service, then the interim 10K service has to be correspondingly lower, possibly making two services cheaper than Duffryn's and Carinfront's special two-service deals. From the sublime to the ridiculous - or should that be the other way round in this case? :)

[jolorna]

Right, got that £249 revised quote down to £182 all-in, because apparently I'm registered for this Pro-tect discount thing, (presupposing no extras like wiper blades etc., - no belt change Caveman, they're chain and supposed to last the life of the engine), and that quote was from the first Toyota main dealer that initially quoted me well over £300+ !!! :o

- And at £182 for a main 20k service it's a done deal so I've booked in on that for my 80k Avensis. Sort'ed!

And that's as it should be for the Avensis - the first figure starting with a £one, and not a £three.

I've got the detailed print-out estimate in front of me, and it's shockingly simple, basically an oil change - there's nothing too complicated at all; where's all this computerised readout stuff that's supposed to be beyond the home handyman? So may well do my own servicing in future, in just the same way as I do my motorbikes.

If they hadn't come down to £182, I would have done just what you suggest Caveman, and used the opportunity to visit/stay with family relatives at the same time.

P.S. If £182 for a major 20K service, then the interim 10K service has to be correspondingly lower, possibly making two services cheaper than Duffryn's and Carinfront's special two-service deals. From the sublime to the ridiculous - or should that be the other way round in this case? :)

i had a 90000 service done last week which is the 10000 mile one at pentagon doncaster £99.00 including vat, wash & valet & then a bit more for a rear wiper blade

[carinfront]

Right, got that £249 revised quote down to £182 all-in, because apparently I'm registered for this Pro-tect discount thing, (presupposing no extras like wiper blades etc., - no belt change Caveman, they're chain and supposed to last the life of the engine), and that quote was from the first Toyota main dealer that initially quoted me well over £300+ !!! :o

- And at £182 for a main 20k service it's a done deal so I've booked in on that for my 80k Avensis. Sort'ed!

And that's as it should be for the Avensis - the first figure starting with a £one, and not a £three.

I've got the detailed print-out estimate in front of me, and it's shockingly simple, basically an oil change - there's nothing too complicated at all; where's all this computerised readout stuff that's supposed to be beyond the home handyman? So may well do my own servicing in future, in just the same way as I do my motorbikes.

If they hadn't come down to £182, I would have done just what you suggest Caveman, and used the opportunity to visit/stay with family relatives at the same time.

P.S. If £182 for a major 20K service, then the interim 10K service has to be correspondingly lower, possibly making two services cheaper than Duffryn's and Carinfront's special two-service deals. From the sublime to the ridiculous - or should that be the other way round in this case? :)

i had a 90000 service done last week which is the 10000 mile one at pentagon doncaster £99.00 including vat, wash & valet & then a bit more for a rear wiper blade

£99 all in?! top stuff! thats a great price IMHO.

[jolorna]

Right, got that £249 revised quote down to £182 all-in, because apparently I'm registered for this Pro-tect discount thing, (presupposing no extras like wiper blades etc., - no belt change Caveman, they're chain and supposed to last the life of the engine), and that quote was from the first Toyota main dealer that initially quoted me well over £300+ !!! :o

- And at £182 for a main 20k service it's a done deal so I've booked in on that for my 80k Avensis. Sort'ed!

And that's as it should be for the Avensis - the first figure starting with a £one, and not a £three.

I've got the detailed print-out estimate in front of me, and it's shockingly simple, basically an oil change - there's nothing too complicated at all; where's all this computerised readout stuff that's supposed to be beyond the home handyman? So may well do my own servicing in future, in just the same way as I do my motorbikes.

If they hadn't come down to £182, I would have done just what you suggest Caveman, and used the opportunity to visit/stay with family relatives at the same time.

P.S. If £182 for a major 20K service, then the interim 10K service has to be correspondingly lower, possibly making two services cheaper than Duffryn's and Carinfront's special two-service deals. From the sublime to the ridiculous - or should that be the other way round in this case? :)

i had a 90000 service done last week which is the 10000 mile one at pentagon doncaster £99.00 including vat, wash & valet & then a bit more for a rear wiper blade

£99 all in?! top stuff! thats a great price IMHO.

yes thats what i thought, and that is why i had it done there, i enquired as they had a big board outside offering any car service from £69.00, but that is like to entice people and wouldn't be a fixed price

[Duffryn]

When I bought my '07 1.8 from the local main dealer last summer I paid £359 up front to cover the next two services, which were the 20k & 30k services.

Only had the 20k service so far, with no additional charges, so your quote certainly seems excessive.

I'm sorry I read this thread now, looks like I wasn't so clever paying up front :( .

Actually DannyK, the dealer I bought my car from was in Cheltenham (but same group of dealerships), had the car seviced in Hereford, although again within the same group.

Just can't believe the variances, don't Toyota have any control over their franchisees charges?

[Danny K]

Just can't believe the variances, don't Toyota have any control over their franchisees charges?

Which is why I wondered if there was a 'sticky' anywhere on this forum with recommendations from posters on low servicing costs, ie., If kept to praising 'the best' then there's no fear of litigation against the forum, as no dealer would have been singled out as expensive and thus to be avoided.

- Anyway it just gets better, and better - some of my email queries are starting to come in. One not-so local-but really-it-is main Toyota dealer has quoted me £205 for the big 20k service. When I acknowledged the reply and enquired if that included the Toyota Pro-tect discount, (of which I am a member) I was emailed back that it does not, so if I send in my registration number they will confirm and work out exactly what the discount OFF the £205 will finally be, but at this stage estimated it would likely be in the region of a further £50.

- So, it could fall to £155-odd for the main 20K service. Which is superior to my really-close-and-local Dealer's quotation of £182.

£155!

- That's gotta be right up the backside of the backstreet-Johnny's-return-your-serviced-car-with-the-steering-wheel-and-gear-stick-covered-in-oily-grime hasn't?

I will post the actual quotation when it arrives with the name of the Toyota dealership because in the present economic climate (as they say), it's worth bartering with your local dealer saying: "Look, I've been quoted £xxx by such and such, if can you at least match it then I'll book in here for the service". They'd might come down a bit if not all the way.

EDIT: And the quote has just come in - full main 20K service at £160.03 fully inclusive with complimentary vac and wash etc., etc., (hmm . . . while I'm on a roll, wonder if I could get that .03p reduced . . .)

Just off to cancel the £182 service and book in with Toyotaworld Bristol SOUTH, , and I'm printing off their email quote of £160.03, (which I think is ace!) for back-up, just in case. Wonder what the minor 10K service will be?

[jolorna]

Just can't believe the variances, don't Toyota have any control over their franchisees charges?

Which is why I wondered if there was a 'sticky' anywhere on this forum with recommendations from posters on low servicing costs, ie., If kept to praising 'the best' then there's no fear of litigation against the forum, as no dealer would have been singled out as expensive and thus to be avoided.

- Anyway it just gets better, and better - some of my email queries are starting to come in. One not-so local-but really-it-is main Toyota dealer has quoted me £205 for the big 20k service. When I acknowledged the reply and enquired if that included the Toyota Pro-tect discount, (of which I am a member) I was emailed back that it does not, so if I send in my registration number they will confirm and work out exactly what the discount OFF the £205 will finally be, but at this stage estimated it would likely be in the region of a further £50.

- So, it could fall to £155-odd for the main 20K service. Which is superior to my really-close-and-local Dealer's quotation of £182.

£155!

- That's gotta be right up the backside of the backstreet-Johnny's-return-your-serviced-car-with-the-steering-wheel-and-gear-stick-covered-in-oily-grime hasn't?

I will post the actual quotation when it arrives with the name of the Toyota dealership because in the present economic climate (as they say), it's worth bartering with your local dealer saying: "Look, I've been quoted £xxx by such and such, if can you at least match it then I'll book in here for the service". They'd might come down a bit if not all the way.

EDIT: And the quote has just come in - full main 20K service at £160.03 fully inclusive with complimentary vac and wash etc., etc., (hmm . . . while I'm on a roll, wonder if I could get that .03p reduced . . .)

Just off to cancel the £182 service and book in with Toyotaworld Bristol SOUTH, , and I'm printing off their email quote of £160.03, (which I think is ace!) for back-up, just in case. Wonder what the minor 10K service will be?

well done 'Danny K' you have managed to get down to less than half your original qoute, mine was wash & vac but they cleaned everything including the glass in and out so thats why i called it a valet

[Dunkelmann]

What is Toyota Pro-tect discount please?

[Heidfirst]

http://toyotaworld.toyota.co.uk/cgi-bin/to...id=G00989_offer

Western Toyota (at least at Sighthill) have a loyalty club that offers discounts.

[joe59]

http://toyotaworld.toyota.co.uk/cgi-bin/to...id=G00989_offer

Western Toyota (at least at Sighthill) have a loyalty club that offers discounts.

Just to continue this matter, I used a Toyota Dealer recently for a service, thinking that I had to because the car is still under warranty.

They were very nice and everything, but I ended up feeling shafted, having paid for new front pads which I'm sure were not required - and never again - when you look at the itemised bill and see that they are charging you £45.00 for a gallon of semi synthetic oil, then £6.50 to dispose of old oil - £45.00 labour to fit front brake pads and so it goes on.

Having made some enquiries, I found out that a mechanic (or technician nowadays) is allocated, for example, 2 hrs to do a service.

If he does it in an hour, customer still pays 2 hrs labour and mechanic gets a bonus.

If mechanic finds something to do on the car, he gets further bonus and so it goes on with the customer getting shafted - although they do provide courtesy car, cup of coffee and fit female staff to look at while you're waiting.

I'm back to using local garage which has a good experienced mechanic who shows you the worn parts he has had to replace and full service rarely costs more than £120.00.

[Duffryn]

When I bought my '07 1.8 from the local main dealer last summer I paid £359 up front to cover the next two services, which were the 20k & 30k services.

Only had the 20k service so far, with no additional charges, so your quote certainly seems excessive.

I'm sorry I read this thread now, looks like I wasn't so clever paying up front :( .

Actually DannyK, the dealer I bought my car from was in Cheltenham (but same group of dealerships), had the car seviced in Hereford, although again within the same group.

Just can't believe the variances, don't Toyota have any control over their franchisees charges?

I'm even worse off now, cos the dealership i bought my service Plan with (Brooklyn Motors) have now gone bust, still owing me one service.

I emailed the replacement dealer 5days ago to ask if they might honour the contract I had with Brooklyn, but so far not had a reply. Can't imagine I stand much of a chance.

I wonder if there's any point in my contacting Mr.T for any help? If no favourable reponses received I won't get caught again paying up front for anything!