Its that time, I have to get the ute serviced. It just burns me up inside, knowing I have to pay so much to get so little done. The only reason to have it done is to get the stamp in the service log book for resale value.

I have the list of the items they are supposed to check, and I know it doesn't happen. There's just too much on there to do properly in the time frame given. The last service I asked for the rear suspension to be greased. The service manager put "Grease rear suspension to standard vehicle specifications", The mechanic put down done, the standard vehicle doesn't have grease nipples, they weren't greased. Check battery fluid, its a sealed battery, the list goes on and on.

For a couple of services, I noticed bolts loose and one missing on the tow bar, guess what, not noticed by the mechanic. Just can't help the feeling I'm being ripped off.

I have used an independent mechanic since I started driving, including for 2 new cars. Current one is a Land Rover, I keep all the receipts for servicing & for any stuff I have added to the car.

A couple of weeks We had both our vehicles serviced by our regular mobile mechanic.

We have been using Neville for some 6 years now and never had any problems with after service issues.

I refuse to allow dealerships to service our 2001 Toyota Avalon and our 2005 Toyota 100 series Land Cruiser.

Who knows perhaps I may/ could be paying  a little more for mobile service, but I know the cars will not let me down when we least expect same.

For the record the cost of Cruiser was $ 265.00 and the Avalon was $ 195. I have read somewhere here on this forum that people can get a service for $149.

Motor vehicles are one of the worst investments that one can make. But they are a necessity for our type of lifestyle. 

But I do miss my company car which I had at my disposal for over some 30 years prior to retirement.

All I had to do was drive the vehicle as the maintenance, cleaning and all expenses were paid for by the Company. 

Yes they were the days my friends, but they did come to an end .............upon retirement.

Jay&Dee

iana wrote:

---

The problem also is that if you have an accident, I guess you would have to show that the vehicle was up to date with servicing. I service the caravan, wouldn't let anyone else near it. But the Ute, well like my last boss said, I have to let go at some stage.

---

 Hi Iana 

Any qualified registered mechanic will do the full service by the book if asked. And sign the book with their number and information. So there is no problem with being satisfied about it being done. So get a good mechanic near you, ask around, and build up a relationship with them and the service might surprise you, compared to a dealer.

My sister who is older and a widow, bough a new car some years back, but got sick of being treated poorly by the dealer and went back to a previous mechanic for servicing. Yesterday she rang and had problem with it suddenly missing and no power. I had a quick look but said ring the mechanic. He said bring it around, he looked at it immediately, Friday morning. We went and had coffee, came back after 2 hours and it was fixed. Scanned, diagnosed, new coil and leads ordered, supplied, fitted, tested etc and job finished. A good price too. And he knows her name and said see you next rego check  Try that at a dealer and see how long that would take, not to mention the extra cost.

Jaahn

The mechanic has a modest sized well equipped workshop with a couple of mechanics working there.       

I took my Isuzu back to the dealer I purchased it from for a couple of the major services but now take it to a private mechanic. On the last major service at 80,000 I was given a price and told that it would require a certain number of hours labour and that the car would be ready at 4pm. I received a call about 1pm to inform me that my car was ready to be collected. I thought that it would be cheaper as less time had been taken but no. I was informed that two mechanics had worked on my car and that is why it only took half the time but still attracted the same labour cost.

I don't go there anymore!

You might want to check the air filter that it was actually replaced & not only charged for!

I have always done my own services on the 4.2efi GQ Patrol, except those requiring change of transmission oils.  I'm getting too old to be able to remove the bungs.

The Mazda3 has always gone to a dealer but I recently found a highly recommended local mechanic who did the log book service for about half the dealer price.   When I told my Son he was less than impressed.

He takes both his work BT50 & his family Mazda SUV to the dealer.  When the motor blew up in the SUV after >4years & 200,000km, Mazda replaced the engine with absolutely no cost to him & offered a loan car during the process.  They claimed that it was dependent on him having always used their dealer for servicing et al.

My understanding is that at many (most/all?) main dealers and similar sized operations the standard services are performed by an apprentice or an unskilled person who recognised a spanner at interview - they are, of course, cheaper than a properly trained and experienced mechanic.

A friend had a new Mitsubishi Triton - it was serviced at 35k (or similar) by the Mitsubishi main dealer and no problems reported. The following week my friend noticed a noise when he applied the brakes... brake pads worn out, backing plates contacting disc! Perhaps one of the most important aspects of a service was not performed.

Me: new Hyundai Getz, two years old only serviced by two Hyundai main dealers never had a spanner laid upon it by anyone else. Get a puncture, can't remove the wheel nuts. Finally get them off to discover one of those two main dealers has stripped seven wheel studs!

I have other stories but you get the drift.

Finally found a small general service father and son operation on an industrial estate who did most of their business with the other companies on said estate: brilliant! Competent, really knew their stuff, listened to what you said, not cheap neither expensive, usually took a week to get a booking because they were busy.

Forget the main dealers seek local recommendations for people such as the above.