Dealer servicing

[Snouto Member Find all posts View Profile Close Snouto]

This is gonna be a stupid question but I don’t have the answer so here goes nothing:

Lets say say I bought a prado from dealer A, who is just some random car dealer not affiliated with any marque.

Would I then be able to take the vehicle for all future services to a proper Toyota garage/dealer/service centre, so that I was confident properly trained mechanics with genuine parts were working on my prado? Or do these places only service the vehicles the associated dealer sells?

cheers

[nanbar Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close nanbar]

This is gonna be a stupid question but I don’t have the answer so here goes nothing:

Lets say say I bought a prado from dealer A, who is just some random car dealer not affiliated with any marque.

Would I then be able to take the vehicle for all future services to a proper Toyota garage/dealer/service centre, so that I was confident properly trained mechanics with genuine parts were working on my prado? Or do these places only service the vehicles the associated dealer sells?

cheers

Never a stupid question. Toyota will happily take your money and take it they will. If you feel more comfortable with having it serviced by them, do so. Personally, I generally never go to a dealer (Toyota or otherwise) for services, especially random non affiliated deals. Mind you, there is an surprising exception, I have my wife's Beemer serviced by a Beemer dealer and they are unbelievably cheap and do a really good job. I had my Prado serviced by Toyota during the 3 year cap period, I will take it elsewhere now. Look for a good mechanic that you can trust and use them. If its a diesel, look for someone who is good with them (its a bonus if they know Toyotas).

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nanbar

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nanbar Thanks dude. See here’s the problem for me, this will be my first oz car purchase so I do not have a favourite mechanic. I’d have to go by what I can google or other peoples opinion, which is gonna be hit and miss at best. So I’m thinking, if I buy a prado for about 40 grand from some random general dealer (whom I will - rightly or wrongly - defo not trust to service the vehicle) then at least perhaps for the first service I should have it done by Toyota mechanics. I have this fear that buying a prado outside of a Toyota dealer is a huge risk, more so than the usual risk of buying any car in the first place. And I don’t want to compound that risk going forward getting the vehicle inadequately serviced.

[t303 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close t303]

I don't think I would be alone in thinking that the only reason to have your Prado serviced by the dealer FROM NEW is to lessen (note: not eliminate) the chances of warranty claims being denied on some BS excuse, eg it wasn't serviced with Toyota Windscreen Washer DiHydrousOxide. Even fixed price dealer servicing is designed to get the vehicle through the warranty period at the minimum cost to the dealer, whilst still making best attempts to take your dollars for, say, half worn brake pads that could go another 50K. It seems a jaundiced view of dealers, and some may be very good, but I have had enough mates bring their cars to me after a major $800-1000 service and, to give an example, there are not even finger prints on the airfilter cover that is encrusted in dust and mud (as was the airfilter inside). I cannot speak from experience as I have never taken any vehicle to a dealership (and only occasionally one trusted mechanic) in my life.
Ask around, even on here, and find a trusted independent mechanic. They will do what is REQUIRED, including preventative maintenance that they will recommend from their experience with the type of vehicle; not just what the generic "one fits all" service booklet recommends.
cheers
Steve