Pre-paid servicing?

boxst

We just took delivery of a new car yesterday (nothing exciting, Toyota Verso) and was offered 3 years servicing (3 services) by direct debit for £16/month.

Is that a good deal? That works out at about £190/service. I thought that is expensive, but haven't had my car serviced at a main dealer for years ...

Thanks,

Steve

saverstevedevon

It's not over the top on price, but it's also not cheap. Servicing can cost over £300 but depends a lot on manufacturer and size of car.

If it was me....I'd have said no to the £16 a month

slyracoon

You should also check what it includes. Is it all inclusive or are they going to charge extra for oil top ups etc.

boxst

It is all inclusive (Engine Oil, Oil Filter, Brake Fluid) and the rest would be covered by the Toyota warranty.

Steve

giraffe69

Ford wanted £21 per month from me which I declined. They then tried the "you will also get parts at our discounted rate" presumably different to the rip off rate that they charge others. I said no because
a. I thought it over the top,
b. I expected there to be any number of get out clauses and
c. my wife's car is covered by a similar (but cheaper agreement) and the garage seem to have still been able to make up extras
d. you are trapped with this particular garage for 3 or 5 years or however long the deal is.

rev_henry

Put £16 a month in a savings account and use that to pay for your services if you really wanna make sure you can afford it at servicing time etc. That way if it costs less (if you go elsewhere) or if the garage goes bust you're covered.

Flying-High_2

All sounds super but what mileage per year is that based on?......

Lithian

Hmm, i was thinking it didn't sound like a great deal, but Flying-High made me think

google says the verso has a 10k service interval, so if you were doing 15k/year you'd hit the 3rd service after 2 years and have paid £384 or £128/service?

The small print on that deal would be worth reading if you do high miles

frothey

They've probably quoted at 10k per year.

If you priced up the 3 services individually, they are cheaper than what you are paying on the plan.... BUT..... it protects you from the VAT increase and any parts/labour cost increases. It's also easier to do the £16 a month than find the £160/whatever as you aren't going to put the £16 per month away are you!

Toyota's service costs are pretty reasonable - interim services down 'ere on a verso is about £120, majors are about £160 but that obviously can vary with labour rate, would expect it to be more in london village for example.

Salesman get's about £30 for selling it to you.....

GJ_WRX

Sounds a bit expensive to me, I work for a manufacturer and we do 3 years servicing for £299. I'd steer clear of it, as mentioned above just put a few pounds aside each month.