Lexus Servicing

[rayaans]

But isn't mercedes servicing only every 20,000 miles? So similar cost but half as often?

Yes but surely that's defeating the point? The work will be the same and cost wise its more expensive for a minor at Merc.

20k miles before a service is somewhat ridiculous too, especially on a Diesel - my wife's Merc had to go in, on the money as well otherwise you could feel it wasn't performing its best - it started running rough near service time.

The engine hasnt changed much since then either, its still the same old basic 2.1l diesel they're using

[wh05apk]

The point being for me doing 20k+ pa it will cost me nearly £700a year in servicing, that is ridiculous money, I will probably push to 12500 intervals which is permitted getting the next minor one done to get the rattles etc sorted then have it done properly my independent mechanics rather than lexus technicians, ie somebody who can diagnose and repair av fault rather than just change parts.

[Connoisseur]

When, as will happen, the PCP bubble bursts, then the service sides of volume manufacturers, plus those such as Lexus, are likely to catch a bad financial cold. In the meantime Lexus is not helping itself with clumsy and weak attempts to cement customer loyalty after 3 years. The majority of Lexus Dealers know this and are stamping service books, whatever the marketing speak used to describe a particular type of service. The sooner Lexus recognise this and sort out their servicing 'offer', the better for everyone - all imho of course :)

[ganzoom]

^^ But I thought printing none existent money was the solution to the worlds problems :)

[J Henderson]

Had my car serviced by Lexus Edinburgh a couple of weeks ago and they stamped the book with the usual stamp, albeit they added a hand-written footnote to clarify that it was an Essential Care service.

Happy enough with that if it saves around £100 each time.

[rayaans]

I should have mentioned that most dealers do stamp the book with the essential care service. They just do a normal service and discount the price, my dealer being one of them as I enquired about it.

I think the issue here is, Lexus need some sort of income as the cars are very reliable. The German brand dealers tend to survive off work that is due to problems with cars outside of the manufacturers warranty.

The number of times Ive been to a Merc dealer and talked to other customers and 8 times out of 10 they'll say they're getting something fixed. On the contrary, Lexus dealers don't tend to have many cars in apart from regular servicing.

[Connoisseur]

^^ But I thought printing none existent money was the solution to the worlds problems :)

sadly no, a solution to the Banks' problems yes, but not the problems the banks created............ ;)

[Adammas]

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).

Slightly Incorrect, it states in Lexus own handbook. - OEM or equivalent Parts of an equal quality. But other than using OEM parts how do you prove they are of an equal quality im not sure.

[rayaans]

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).

Slightly Incorrect, it states in Lexus own handbook. - OEM or equivalent Parts of an equal quality. But other than using OEM parts how do you prove they are of an equal quality im not sure.

I was referring to EU law itself. Some manufacturers are more lenient than others about this.

I wouldnt go on the handbook though - they use the same handbook in the US too so its unlikely that would stick in court. I think its more of a DIY guide

You can prove that oil is of equivalent quality due to the rating but other than that I dont know how youd prove brakes and things like that to be

[Womble72]

I run an IS-F, it's just had its 60k service, Lexus wanted £895 for it, my brother in laws best friend is a mechanic, who does all ford, bmw and other main dealers cars that they can't do, but the unaware customer is paying main dealer prices for, my F has just cost me £450 and YES all 8 plugs done, at the end of the day it's a stamp, BUT me personally I'd rather know that what's been done has been done, not paid for and skipped over, wether the next owner believes me or not, maybe an issue, that bridge will be crossed when that time comes, BUT for me, I know it's been done properly and by someone I trust FULLY

[dochybrid]

Been quoted £245 for third service (2013 model, 27000 mileage from Lexus Cardiff..

Is it fair in comparison to other Lexus other dealerships?

Has anyone used Servicestop website, claiming to offer lexus service cheaper and original

[PCM]

Been quoted £245 for third service (2013 model, 27000 mileage from Lexus Cardiff..

Is it fair in comparison to other Lexus other dealerships?

Has anyone used Servicestop website, claiming to offer lexus service cheaper and original

I think it's fair.

More a case of, does it achieve, what you want to achieve?

[Mikeyb999]

Been quoted £245 for third service (2013 model, 27000 mileage from Lexus Cardiff..

Is it fair in comparison to other Lexus other dealerships?

Has anyone used Servicestop website, claiming to offer lexus service cheaper and original

Not sure about "fair" its the maximum Lexus will allow to be charged for that service, but I get the impression they are all sticking to the menu pricing so unless you phone around you cant be sure if it will be cheaper elsewhere

I haven't heard of servicestop before, so just looked at the website. I quite like the concept, but wonder where they take the car to have it serviced. I am assuming they have a tie up with someone like Halfords or kwikfit, but I don't like the fact that they are not transparent about who performs the work on their site. Also quite a few negative comments plus the fact that Deborah Meaden of dragons den fame pulled her investment because of the number of complaints about the firm would lead me to avoid them.

I guess if yours is a 2013 model its still under warranty - I know technically you can take it out of the dealer network but if I needed a major repair then I wouldn't really want to have that discussion and have the burden of proof placed on me.

[200h]

what i dont understand is the CT is £50 less ,the IS cannot take £50 more in oil,

the same items will be checked and will take the same amount of time to complete

so why should it cost so much more.

answers on a postcard

[ganzoom]

I guess if yours is a 2013 model its still under warranty - I know technically you can take it out of the dealer network but if I needed a major repair then I wouldn't really want to have that discussion and have the burden of proof placed on me.

You simply have to show them your car has been serviced at a VAT registered garage, and the components used are OEM - Which mainly are simply rebranded Toyota bits.

But what major 'repair' are you expecting?? Unlike new BMW/Mercs I've seen hardly any reports of a IS300H needing any major (£1k+) repair work?? I be very dissapointed if ours need any mechanicals repairs before it hits 100K. All of our previous Japanese cars have been 100% reliable regardless of age/price, though we've never owned a Toyota before.

[Eire Lexus]

People are so concerned about stamps. Many of these stamps get stolen or false ones get made. Just because a book is stamped doesn't mean it's been serviced so be aware. The best history for a car is to keep all the invoices.

[rayaans]

People are so concerned about stamps. Many of these stamps get stolen or false ones get made. Just because a book is stamped doesn't mean it's been serviced so be aware. The best history for a car is to keep all the invoices.

Yes but it's not difficult to ask the dealership for a service history print out as its all on central Lexus system

[ColinBarber]

what i dont understand is the CT is £50 less ,the IS cannot take £50 more in oil,

the same items will be checked and will take the same amount of time to complete

so why should it cost so much more.

answers on a postcard

The actual cost of the vehicle and what Lexus feel the owners can afford, the same reason why the LS costs £50 more than the IS. For the CT they try and keep costs down to keep the fleet buyers happy too.

[Mikeyb999]

I guess if yours is a 2013 model its still under warranty - I know technically you can take it out of the dealer network but if I needed a major repair then I wouldn't really want to have that discussion and have the burden of proof placed on me.

You simply have to show them your car has been serviced at a VAT registered garage, and the components used are OEM - Which mainly are simply rebranded Toyota bits.

But what major 'repair' are you expecting?? Unlike new BMW/Mercs I've seen hardly any reports of a IS300H needing any major (£1k+) repair work?? I be very dissapointed if ours need any mechanicals repairs before it hits 100K. All of our previous Japanese cars have been 100% reliable regardless of age/price, though we've never owned a Toyota before.

You also have to demonstrate that the garage followed the schedule. In reality I know that many if the items are just checks, but I'm pretty sure they would make you prove that the garage carried out each of these checks. The dealership get paid a minimal amount for warranty work so if they haven't seen any of the profitable servicing work then you can be sure they will "look" for a reason to not support you.

It shouldn't be like that, and we all hope / expect to not need any warranty work, but the reality is your dealer is a business who needs to make money.

[pobrown]

Very interesting thread - just read the whole thing after putting a deposit in a IS300h at the weekend. 

Im probably going to use a local independent Lexus specialist for my servicing. I'm fortunate that I know they guy that setup his own business about a year ago. He worked at my local Lexus dealer for nearly 20 years so I'm pretty confident he will be fine working on my car. He is also only about 2 miles away from my place of work so it might be more convenient as well as cheaper in the long run.  It will be a year before I need my next service though so plenty of time to weigh up all the pros and cons. 

[rayaans]

My dealer is now doing price match! Any garage within 5 miles and they'll match the quote like for like!

Tell you what, if I ever make enough cash to get myself a Lexus franchise, ill look after you all 😂

[200h]

25 minutes ago, rayaans said:

when can we expect My dealer is now doing price match! Any garage within 5 miles and they'll match the quote like for like!

Tell you what, if I ever make enough cash to get myself a Lexus franchise, ill look after you all 😂

when can we expect our opening invitations ???

[rayaans]

If I ever manage to get one somehow lol 😂

[Martin F]

11 hours ago, rayaans said:

Tell you what, if I ever make enough cash to get myself a Lexus franchise, ill look after you all 😂

It's OK i'm not that way inclined. 

 

 

[Jamesf1]

On 29/10/2015 at 6:02 AM, Connoisseur said:

.......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................ ;)

I had an essential service last time and got a regular stamp in the book - nothing to indicate an essential service. When I bought the car as an Lexus  approved used I was tols essential service would be a specific  document inserted into the service book. I was also told that as a trade in at a Lexus garage it would be worth more with a Lexus history - without one they cannot sell it as an approved used car. I have a service plan for 2 services - a major and a minor which is £25 a month - same price as a Ford service plan for my previous Mondeo - so seems reasonable.

The essential service as standard doesnt cover the 60k miles specific items i.e. the expensive spark plug change on a 250..