Toyota main dealer rip-off

cardiowiz

Bought an approved used 06 plate corolla from the dealer in Wirral a couple of years ago. Negotiated with the salesperson requesting for 3 services to be thrown in for the sticker price. He agreed for "Toyota essential service" as a 3 year service plan...
Got the service plan in post a few weeks later - they have offered only 2 services under the same heading "3 year essential (dealer) service "!! I took this up with the salesperson who consulted his manager and basically said "tough -nothing more could be done" We may consider offering you "something" when you come for your third service... Same response when I took up the issue during first service, a year later. Felt cheated...

Recently had the second "essential service" under the service plan - on reaching home, I checked under the hood- the air filter was caked in dust and dirt, unchanged!!! Took back to the dealer and the assistant at the desk helpfully explained that what my service plan meant : just an engine oil and oil-filter change and a visual safety inspection and nothing else.. On close questioning, he admitted that this was indeed what was done on the previous occasion as well. So the car has gone 2 full years with just an oil change.

Complained to Toyota GB and to the dealer principal. The response was that all the car needed was just an oil and filter change by the highly trained Toyota mechanics and that the Toyota service stamp is all that counts when anyone trades-in a car to them. They however offered to do the 3rd years' full service free...

This has indeed an eye opener to me - by their own admission, there is no real need for anything other than an oil and filter change and I am sure my local independent is skilled enough for that. When you buy a car with "Toyota service history", that is exactly what it is -stamps on paper and not any pointer towards what really has been done for the car. In the true MSE spirit, I will be getting my future services at my local trusted independent for a much better rate..... And would also avoid the main dealer for any further car buying/selling!