What is involved in a 'Service'?

united4ever

Had a car for about 8 months now and looking through the paperwork it seems my service is due at the end of October and MOT a couple of weeks later. What is a service exactly? I have to take it to the official Toyota branch and have it checked out? Is it compulsory or just advisable (the car is 7 years old and has the previous years 7 stamps from Toyota branch). How much do they cost roughly? (it's a prius).

Then I understand the MOT a lot more. Dunno where to look for a mechanic to do that...with it being a hybrid engine should i seek out someone who is a specialist?

Thanks

marlot

The handbook tells you what's needed at each service (or at least, my toyota does).

Google toyota fixed price servicing to find out costs.

Easiest to get the mot at the same time as the service. it can be done up to a month early.

ChumLee

Find a good independent garage no point taking it to a main dealer.

daveyjp

ChumLee wrote: »

Find a good independent garage no point taking it to a main dealer.

There is with a Prius.

marlot

Toyota dealers can often be competitive. They are always worth a try in my experience.

united4ever

Are we talking about the service here? Was under the impression that a car with evidence of service by the main dealer would help a car hold it's value. However, it's already 7 years old so not sure if it will have much resale value when I have finished with it anyway.

united4ever

marlot wrote: »

Toyota dealers can often be competitive. They are always worth a try in my experience.

Ok I'll give my local branch a call....do the branches all quote the same price or is it worth me shopping around the different Toyota branches?

ChumLee

daveyjp wrote: »

There is with a Prius.

Only if it's up to date with all the previous hybrid health care checks and there's still a warranty on the battery.

forgotmyname

Shop around and you will find that a service is not always the same.

You can get one for £99 but check what they actually do and its usually just an oil change and a check to find more parts that need replacing to bump the bill up.

Do you want an oil change a list of stuff that needs doing now or you may explode on the way home or a proper service?

peter12345678910

Cheaper to buy the oil online, fully synthetic - then u will be ok for 5 years. Then ask the garage to use this?

richy999

You could save some money and just get a conventional service, ignoring the electric motor side of the equation.

However, if you plan to keep the car for a while, I would advise taking it to Toyota (check out fixed price servicing) or finding an independent Hybrid specialist.