Quote for Major Service

[philthom]

Hi. I received the following quote for a major car service on my Toyota Corolla from a reputable service centre.

Knowing little to nothing about cars, I was wondering if any of you guys may give me some insight whether these quoted figures are reasonable or not. And if anything is missing from the quote that should be included in a major service.

Most of these items doesn't seem exorbitant, except the first. Don't know why there is a 2 quantity for the service (2 labourers I presume).

• MAJOR SERVICE INCLUDING 58 POINT MECHANICAL INSPECTION (Quantity = 2): R1,000.00
• 15W40 SHELL RIMULA R4 (Quantity = 5): R317.15
• SUMP PLUG GASKET (quantity = 1): R17.50
• OIL FILTER (quantity= 1): R61.20
• AIR FILTER (quantity = 1): R265.14
• SPARK PLUGS (quantity = 4): R190.40
• ENGINE CLEANER -Environmentally Friendly (quantity = 1): R67.20
• CONSUMABLES / SUNDRIES (quantity = 1) R52.63

Total (incl Vat) = R2,247.19

TIA

Ps. Typed out the figures in list forrm directly from the quotation.

 

[Arthur]

Sounds rather cheap to me. Will they do a decent job, or cut corners? Ask around to see if they have happy customers.

Qty 2x for labour is just two units, eg two hours at a rate per hour.

 

[Zuner]

Sounds rather cheap to me. Will they do a decent job, or cut corners? Ask around to see if they have happy customers.

Qty 2x for labour is just two units, eg two hours at a rate per hour.

i pay that much to service my Ford fiesta mk7 at ford themselves so that seems decent enough to me, The service mentioned doesn't seem major, there's no belts and tensioner nor a cabin air filter, brake fluid and coolant.

 

[philthom]

Sounds rather cheap to me. Will they do a decent job, or cut corners? Ask around to see if they have happy customers.

Qty 2x for labour is just two units, eg two hours at a rate per hour.

Some forumites on this forum recommended them in other threads and they are AA certified and has won numerous awards according to their website.

Thanks for the quantity clarification.

 

[philthom]

i pay that much to service my Ford fiesta mk7 at ford themselves so that seems decent enough to me, The service mentioned doesn't seem major, there's no belts and tensioner nor a cabin air filter, brake fluid and coolant.

You make a good point about the other stuff that should be included. Maybe I should reply and ask them for clarification on why those items aren't listed.

 

[Zuner]

Check your book, and see what must be changed for the age/millage you are at. If it's a normal minor service that price is alright...ish. I pay about 1500 for my other car at my neighbour who is a mechanic. And that's using fully synthetic oil, so generally it's an okay price but for me it's expensive.

At Ford every service the brake fluid and coolant is drained and replaced, as well as a year warranty on all parts used meaning it's under warranty until the next service.

I know Toyota isn't cheap but phone up your local stealership and ask for a price. Just so you know, you know..

 

[biometrics]

Not sure why you need the R1,000 inspection (usually done when buying a second hand car) other than to find faults that need repair ...

 

[Zuner]

Not sure why you need the R1,000 inspection (usually done when buying a second hand car) other than to find faults that need repair ...

I'm guessing that's just to draw your attention, to make you think they'll be checking everything to make sure its all good, which they're supposed to do anyway.

 

[PostmanPot]

Looks like a minor service to me.

 

[biometrics]

What's the mileage OP? And when last was it serviced (at which mileage)?

 

[ponder]

The R1000 sounds like labour. If you had any diy skills you could save yourself R1k for a job that won't take more than 1hr.

 

[biometrics]

The R1000 sounds like labour. If you had any diy skills you could save yourself R1k for a job that won't take more than 1hr.

So R500/hour?

 

[far2000]

have u tried the bosch service centres? is your car still under warranty and going to a toyota centre?

 

[philthom]

What's the mileage OP? And when last was it serviced (at which mileage)?

Was last service at 120k. I missed a service at 135k, so it's coming up to its 150k service.

Checking the service book at 150k, it basically just mention the stuff as quoted that needs to be replaced and other stuff that needs to be checked.

Maybe I should just go for the normal service and have the mechanic give me a list of stuff that is due changing. Thoughts about this approach?

The reason why I thought the car needs a major service is because it hasn't been serviced in a while and has been feeling under powered lately. But this can be due to the oil and/or spark plugs not being changed regularly.

 

[ponder]

So R500/hour?

It sounds that way.

 

[Arthur]

... or maybe their smallest labour unit is 90 minutes?

 

[Zuner]

Was last service at 120k. I missed a service at 135k, so it's coming up to its 150k service.

Checking the service book at 150k, it basically just mention the stuff as quoted that needs to be replaced and other stuff that needs to be checked.

Maybe I should just go for the normal service and have the mechanic give me a list of stuff that is due changing. Thoughts about this approach?

The reason why I thought the car needs a major service is because it hasn't been serviced in a while and has been feeling under powered lately. But this can be due to the oil and/or spark plugs not being changed regularly.

Well just make sure everything on the 135k and 150k service is being changed according to your book.

Unless you want a long list of stuff you don't need changed i would not ask them what needs changing. they'll see you don't know much and tell you some scary stuff to get you to spend your money there.

Even ford themselves tried this with me, last year service they told me i need new front brake pad urgently, this after i had changed them myself a mere 3 months ago, i'm still running those pads now. so you can't trust them, do what the book says for both 135k and 150k and you'll be fine and on track.