Car broke down - Toyota main dealer repair

single_lonely

Neighbour bought Toyota Previa Y reg (7 seater car, UK model) about 4 months ago.
2 months ago the car a pulley went off the alternator, cost £200 to repair, local garage told him apparently 2 days went into this as car had to be taken apart from underneath, so dont want to work on it again!
Now car wont start and I personally think its a starter motor or ignition key fault. connected jump leads but wont start, but dashboard lights all work OK. I told my Neighbour Id phone my AA and they could take it to main Toyota dealer for repair.

Can you just take your broken down car (towed behind AA truck) into a main dealer for repair, or would it have to be booked in?
How much more expensive would it be?
What happens if they cant repair it or it becomes uneconomical to repair?
What other fault could it be?

I was thinking they would know more about the faults of this model and know how to work on it correctly with original parts. (also how to take it apart and put back together faster!)

rich13348

There is no reason you cannot have the car towed there but you may have to wait a few days until they can get it in but there may be cancellations they can work on it in.

If it's too far gone to repair then they may suggest you scrap the car but they will most likely have to pay the Labour to that point.

WellKnownSid

The chances of a main dealer being keen to fix a 15 year old car are slim to zero.

The apprentices may not have been old enough for primary school when that car came out - I doubt they've even seen one before in their workshop.

Finding a good independent garage that used to working on older cars will be your best bet.

single_lonely

rich13348 wrote: »

There is no reason you cannot have the car towed there but you may have to wait a few days until they can get it in but there may be cancellations they can work on it in.

Is it possible to phone a few days before and ask would you have time to repair it?

WellKnownSid wrote: »

The chances of a main dealer being keen to fix a 15 year old car are slim to zero.

The apprentices may not have been old enough for primary school when that car came out - I doubt they've even seen one before in their workshop.

I realise its old but I was thinking if its a start motor or ignition switch then it wouldn't be a big job for them, and parts would be easy to source?
When they AA come out and they cant start it do they recommend a garage?

WellKnownSid

single_lonely wrote: »

I realise its old but I was thinking if its a start motor or ignition switch then it wouldn't be a big job for them, and parts would be easy to source?
When they AA come out and they cant start it do they recommend a garage?

The average age of cars seen by main dealers is around 18 months. If you're a value brand like Peugeot then you may not see a car beyond its first service.

Their diagnostic ability won't match a decent (note: decent) indie. Heck, their diagnostic equipment may not even be able to talk to the car - the machine that could may have gone in a skip ten years ago when the 3.5" floppy drive stopped working. Even if they can diagnose - they probably won't offer a repair service - just offer to fit a new part.

How do you know the AA won't be able to start it? They have more diagnostic equipment in their vans than most main dealers, plus in most cases the skills how to use it.

forgotmyname

The main dealer will want to throw brand new parts at it at main dealer prices.

So they could walk away with a bill for more than the cars worth and still need a new part that costs double the price of the car.

You think its the ignition or starter motor? Why? What tests have you done?

worried_jim

Don't the AA have a deal to tow it to Halfords, hope I'm wrong.

single_lonely

forgotmyname wrote: »

You think its the ignition or starter motor? Why? What tests have you done?

all dash lights are on, when key turned they dont dim. Connected jump leads to other car for 1 hour, still wouldn't start. Alternator part has been replaced already but battery was charging OK when had it tested few days before it stopped.

worried_jim wrote: »

Don't the AA have a deal to tow it to Halfords, hope I'm wrong.

Hellfrauds garage? I was hoping that it could be towed to any uk garage.

forgotmyname

single_lonely wrote: »

all dash lights are on, when key turned they dont dim. Connected jump leads to other car for 1 hour, still wouldn't start. Alternator part has been replaced already but battery was charging OK when had it tested few days before it stopped.
Hellfrauds garage? I was hoping that it could be towed to any uk garage.

So your just guessing? Not actually done any tests to the car other than the dash lights come on? Charging tested a few days before, what were the results on that?

Proper tests are required not just guessing. Ive been to many that say the battery is fine its 12+ volts. Switch something on then show them the meter usually 9 or 10 volts.

bigjl

You need to find a garage with experince of these old Toyotas.

There are a few in East London/Essex borders, such as Five Star on Ilford Lane as they were popular round that area.

They are also almost unbreakable but a pig to work on due to the position of the engine.

m0bov

Sounds like an immobilizer fault I would look into getting a mobile mechanic to come out and plug in diags. With main dealer prices you would end up paying many hundreds of pounds and more than the car is worth.