Lexus Servicing

PCM · October 25, 2015

I think one just has to be a little bit savvy.

Having a Lexus warranty on mine, I get servicing done at Lexus. I think I have to.

( I always create a shared expectation of what does/will, be done, and check afterwards. Never had a problem)

I do get confused by the 'change if needed' service items - like trans., fluid. I assume that's an extra cost.

Other items I might get done at my local independent expert.

it's all just a balance.

ColinBarber · October 25, 2015

Having a Lexus warranty on mine, I get servicing done at Lexus. I think I have to.

A Lexus used car warranty yes. The initial three year manufacturers warranty, no.

Adammas · October 29, 2015

I have a new IS, and have not bothered with the servicing pack. for a couple of reasons.

1.I entend to keep the car a while, reduciing the main dealer service history sell on factor.

2. Legally, An independent who uses lexus or parts of a equal quality, fitted to manufactures guidelines does not affect the Warranty.

3. Legally manufactures must provide the same information and training to independent mechanics and garages as it would to its own technicians. Sometimes they try not to but by law they must,. So if a recall or fault occurs that the independent picks up on they must provide accurate information on repair, or procedure.

4. I am fortunate my in laws run a garage so servicing costs are zero, how ever compared to the standard lexus prices they would charge significantly less, and they are a japanese car specialist.

Main dealers are prettier and you can spend time window shopping whilst having that free coffee, but ultimately you pay through the nose.

Funkyboy · October 29, 2015

I have a new IS, and have not bothered with the servicing pack. for a couple of reasons.

1.I entend to keep the car a while, reduciing the main dealer service history sell on factor.

2. Legally, An independent who uses lexus or parts of a equal quality, fitted to manufactures guidelines does not affect the Warranty.

3. Legally manufactures must provide the same information and training to independent mechanics and garages as it would to its own technicians. Sometimes they try not to but by law they must,. So if a recall or fault occurs that the independent picks up on they must provide accurate information on repair, or procedure.

4. I am fortunate my in laws run a garage so servicing costs are zero, how ever compared to the standard lexus prices they would charge significantly less, and they are a japanese car specialist.

Main dealers are prettier and you can spend time window shopping whilst having that free coffee, but ultimately you pay through the nose.

I'm going to do the same. I will buy one 18-24 mths old and have it serviced at an independent using OEM parts. As I will hopefully be keeping it for several years. When it reaches 5 years old I'll consider using the dealers fix priced servicing or keep it at the independents as I will have some experience of using them in that time. I'm not paying £450 for a oil and filter change and a bunch of visual checks

rayaans · October 29, 2015

I guess it depends how much you like getting your car scratched and messed up. i mean the last independent I used charged £150 for a service but it took me 3 hours to get the oil out of the carpet and £80 for a wheel refurbishment on my last RX.

Its worth remembering £450 is the capped price. Dealers cant charge more than this but they consistently charge much less if you haggle hard.

How many independents do you know that charge £27 for an MOT and £50 for all 4 tyres changing?!

steveledzep · October 29, 2015

Just last week I was charged £54.85 for MOT by Lexus, Cardiff.

Did it at same time as 70k service (I have Lexus used car warranty).

Was I robbed ?

ColinBarber · October 29, 2015

Not robbed, you just don't have a nice dealer like Rayaans. My dealer has never charged anything other than the legal maximum for an MOT.

steveledzep · October 29, 2015

That's what I thought Colin. Thanks.

Well worth it if the warranty covers any defects found.

Mine got a clean bill of health.

rayaans · October 29, 2015

£54.85 is steep!

TBF Ive been a customer for 11 years now and it DOES show up on their computer screen. My dealer is Lexus Bradford, they were crap when they were WMG group but after switching to RRG group, they're really competitive on servicing and other jobs.

Connoisseur · October 29, 2015

Lexus own website says £49 for MOT's on 5 year plus cars so worth asking Lexus Cardiff for the refund you are owed!

steveledzep · October 29, 2015

Lexus own website says £49 for MOT's on 5 year plus cars so worth asking Lexus Cardiff for the refund you are owed!

Thank you for that Michael.

The Lexus website also lists a minor service for an IS over five years old at £159, I was charged £245 ! There were no extraordinary items on my invoice, just oil, filter, screenwash etc.

I have emailed them asking for a refund of £91.85......I'll let you know how I get on.

Thanks again.

rayaans · October 30, 2015

Lexus own website says £49 for MOT's on 5 year plus cars so worth asking Lexus Cardiff for the refund you are owed!

Thank you for that Michael.

The Lexus website also lists a minor service for an IS over five years old at £159, I was charged £245 ! There were no extraordinary items on my invoice, just oil, filter, screenwash etc.

I have emailed them asking for a refund of £91.85......I'll let you know how I get on.

Thanks again.

I think the £159 is Lexus essential servicing - the only thing they dont give you is a Lexus stamp. They give you a certificate however to prove its been serviced. I assume the £245 is the full lexus service which includes bits like greasing door hinges which arent really essential.

The Cardiff prices are at the top end of the Lexus capped price. Id be haggling those prices down as they're just charging extra compared to other dealers who usually do it cheaper if you have a good relationship with the aftersales manager.

Connoisseur · October 30, 2015

I think the £159 is Lexus essential servicing - the only thing they dont give you is a Lexus stamp.

.......to the best of my knowledge, and going by posts on here, a fair few Lexus dealers are now recognising that this idea of no 'stamp' for a 5 year + service is no way to keep/win loyal customer business. Stamped service books are becoming quite de rigeur for 5 year plus work I understand................ ;)

Adammas · October 30, 2015

Who ever you have service you car you definately want a stamp.

I have had audis previous and before i had motorcyles, all of which went for main dealer servicing, however Duty of care and on the terms of looking after the vehicles i have found them to be no better. I ve had fuel tanks scratched, (admittedly they did tell me and have it resprayed) Service books not stamped, or in audis case, not stamped then when i returned the book stamped incorreclty requiring a new service book to keep in correct order, which i had to then pay for. Maybe they thought i was being too anal.

However the garage that my inlaws own, use protection for all cars no matter how old or tatty on the carpets, seats and steering wheels, the mechanics always where fresh gloves and clean overalls if they are inside the vehicle. The only thing i will say is they dont have special fitted covers to suit each car like a main dealer has, as it would cost a fortune. However i am trying to get some universal ones made for them. Standard MOT £45, free retest and service for the IS is around £140.

steveledzep · October 30, 2015

"There is a difference with the servicing.

The £159 minor service refers to an Essential Care Service.

This service does not include a stamp in the book and has

fewer checks.

With regards to MOT, the pricing is that when an essential care service is taken.

However going forward we would be happy to offer MOT’S to you at £49 regardless

of which service you chose."

The above is part of the response I got to my email. You guys are correct.

However, I can't see reference on the website to a service stamp not being given. My car is under Lexus warranty, other than that, I cannot see a reason for going to Lexus for an essential care service.....rather go to an independent and get a full service, probably for the same price and a stamp in the book to boot !

It's really big of them to offer future MOTs at £49 !!

Think they've just successfully steered me towards finding a good independent to look after my Lexus in the future.

Know anyone good in South Wales ?

ColinBarber · October 30, 2015

Typically an essentials service doesn't stamp your main service book, but an alternative one. I'm still to understand why Lexus think this is necessary. Some dealer will just stamp the main book.

If your car is under warranty then that is a good reason to get Lexus to service it, otherwise you are just throwing money away by invalidating the warranty.

I assume an essentials service is enough to satisfy the warranty T&Cs, it isn't 100% clear. If you are considering this then I would contact Lexus GB to get it clarified, I wouldn't just rely on what a dealership said.

ganzoom · October 31, 2015

WTF....£91.85 extra for a stamp....and Lexus dealers are suppose to have the 'best customer service' around. Are Lexus just use to having a customer base who don't mind been ripped off or have so much money £100 is just pocket change??!!

You DONT need a Lexus stamp for the warranty. It's EU law, Lexus have to honour the warranty as long as the car is serviced with OEM parts. Anyways the reason we bought a Lexus rather than another BMW is that we don't need to worry about it needing repair work :)

There is nothing special about a Lexus, BMW, Mercedes etc. At the end of the day they are just like cars, no different to a £7k Dacia. Any mechanics who's half competent can repair any make of car. If you want to pay £100-200-300 MORE every year for a Lexus dealer to service your car go for it, but don't be under any illusions that some how they are doing a job no one else can.....

I haven't used main dealer servicing on any of my cars for the last 8 years and certainly don't intend to start now, and definitely not at the stupid prices Lexus dealers seem to think it's ok to charge.

rayaans · October 31, 2015

WTF....£91.85 extra for a stamp....and Lexus dealers are suppose to have the 'best customer service' around. Are Lexus just use to having a customer base who don't mind been ripped off or have so much money £100 is just pocket change??!!

You DONT need a Lexus stamp for the warranty. It's EU law, Lexus have to honour the warranty as long as the car is serviced with OEM parts. Anyways the reason we bought a Lexus rather than another BMW is that we don't need to worry about it needing repair work :)

There is nothing special about a Lexus, BMW, Mercedes etc. At the end of the day they are just like cars, no different to a £7k Dacia. Any mechanics who's half competent can repair any make of car. If you want to pay £100-200-300 MORE every year for a Lexus dealer to service your car go for it, but don't be under any illusions that some how they are doing a job no one else can.....

I haven't used main dealer servicing on any of my cars for the last 8 years and certainly don't intend to start now, and definitely not at the stupid prices Lexus dealers seem to think it's ok to charge.

That's not strictly true. EU law specifically states that it's for the new car warranty only. Therefore on older cars it doesn't apply.

Also, OEM parts need to be used including Toyota motor oil 0W-20 and brakes for the warranty to apply. It also has to be documented as the manufacturer can easily refuse warranty work on the basis of inferior servicing which may or may not be the case but you have to be able to prove it. OE equivalent is not good enough, it HAS to be OEM parts.

The reason for this is because the dealers go directly to Lexus UK for approval of any warranty work and they need previous service history (along with all documentation such as grade of oil, brand etc).

ColinBarber · October 31, 2015

As above we are talking about a used car warranty rather than manufacturer new car warranty.

The extra cost isn't just for a stamp, there are additional things checked/replaced on a standard service compared to essentials - also the essentials pricing has some discount applied. It's all about encouraging owners of older vehicles to use main dealers for servicing rather than third parties or not bothering at all.

Deadloak · October 31, 2015

I've just got a 3 year service plan through my local dealership, not as good a Rayaans can get, as he has a longer relationship with his. But 15% discount is acceptable to me.

Although it probably only last 18-24mths with my mileage. About that time they will be 'trying' to get me to buy an new one anyway.

David.

rayaans · October 31, 2015

I've just got a 3 year service plan through my local dealership, not as good a Rayaans can get, as he has a longer relationship with his. But 15% discount is acceptable to me.

Although it probably only last 18-24mths with my mileage. About that time they will be 'trying' to get me to buy an new one anyway.

David.

Just keep saying hmm that's too expensive. Eventually they'll drop the price considerabley

Funkyboy · October 31, 2015

As above we are talking about a used car warranty rather than manufacturer new car warranty.

The extra cost isn't just for a stamp, there are additional things checked/replaced on a standard service compared to essentials - also the essentials pricing has some discount applied. It's all about encouraging owners of older vehicles to use main dealers for servicing rather than third parties or not bothering at all.

I think Lexus takes advantage of it's very loyal customers with their service schedules and making people think they are missing out on something if they only use the essential service schedule. If you didn't know much about cars you would think that something that needed doing was being over looked when in fact it's just visual checks. Also if your car is over 3 years old it would be subject to an MOT which is a very rigorous set of checks that are much more than just visual. All the other major manufactures offer fixed priced servicing (and stamp the book) after 3yrs not the 5 that Lexus insist on. I'm still getting one though!