Car servicing, worth using dealership?

[RK1975]

Hi, my 2013 reg CT is overdue it's 90k service by 2000 miles so it's time to get it in, but I'm a bit shocked by the prices my dealership is quoting.

They want £200 almost for the interim and have said that the major one is due at 100k which will cost nearly £600!!!!  I really can't afford that much, and it seems that if I follow the recommended schedule it's going to be in every 8 months or so.

I know other places charge about £140 for an interim and claim it won't affect the warranty, but I'm not sure they do the hybrid health check (whatever that is) that the dealership includes.  Anyone recommend using an independent garage or is paying the extra for a dealership worth it?

Thanks.

[Farqui]

Hybrid health checks are approx £60

[rayaans]

4 hours ago, RK1975 said:

Hi, my 2013 reg CT is overdue it's 90k service by 2000 miles so it's time to get it in, but I'm a bit shocked by the prices my dealership is quoting.

They want £200 almost for the interim and have said that the major one is due at 100k which will cost nearly £600!!!!  I really can't afford that much, and it seems that if I follow the recommended schedule it's going to be in every 8 months or so.

I know other places charge about £140 for an interim and claim it won't affect the warranty, but I'm not sure they do the hybrid health check (whatever that is) that the dealership includes.  Anyone recommend using an independent garage or is paying the extra for a dealership worth it?

Thanks.

Well I mean it is a dealership so what did you expect? 

So yes you would need a minor service at £195 which will include the hybrid healthcheck - gives you an extra 1 year of warranty on the hybrid system

If you go for other places it'll cost you £199 - £140 +£59 hybrid healthcheck

The 100k service will be due in 8k miles or 1 year whichever comes first and its more expensive due to being a more thorough service - its basically a full service + cleaning air flow meter and changing the hybrid inverter coolant.

[Mikeyb999]

8 hours ago, RK1975 said:

I know other places charge about £140 for an interim and claim it won't affect the warranty, but I'm not sure they do the hybrid health check (whatever that is) that the dealership includes.  Anyone recommend using an independent garage or is paying the extra for a dealership worth it?

Thanks.

As your is a 2013 I assume its the Lexus extended warranty so taking it somewhere else will invalidate this.  Its an extended warranty, not the original manufacturers warranty so they stipulate it must be carried out by their technicians / dealers, but having said that,if you are 2K overdue I think its already invalidated as its 1K leeway from memory

My 2013 is now due its 140K service but its going to my local indy for about £180 - the extended warranty is out in April. and I'll chance it with the hybrid warranty

 

[ColinBarber]

Once you get to the vehicle's 5 year anniversary you will be entitled to essentials servicing which is cheaper, but you will always find an indy cheaper - just make sure they use the correct, and expensive, 0W-20 oil.

[Marco12]

Here in The Netherlands, it's around 175 Euro at the Lexus dealer, so 200 pounds seems a bit high

[Ace8800]

My brother had his CT serviced (my2012) and was told your hybrid Battery is covered for 10years regardless of getting it serviced by dealers for not.. that info was given by Lexus Birmingham service detp. He got a cert to say the Battery is healthy for another year though.

Personally i get the service parts from dealer and service myself as i dont really trust dealers anymore after hearing some cowboy errors. Keep the receipts..its worth more then a stamp.

[ColinBarber]

8 hours ago, Ace8800 said:

My brother had his CT serviced (my2012) and was told your hybrid battery is covered for 10years regardless of getting it serviced by dealers for not.. that info was given by Lexus Birmingham service detp. He got a cert to say the battery is healthy for another year though.

Personally i get the service parts from dealer and service myself as i dont really trust dealers anymore after hearing some cowboy errors. Keep the receipts..its worth more then a stamp.

The hybrid Battery is only covered for that duration if you get a hybrid health check every year. In comes as part of a service but you can pay to have it done separately and have your vehicle serviced elsewhere.

[Wass]

Getting back to the original question as to whether it is worth getting the car serviced by a Lexus dealership. Paying extra for good service is always a good idea as opposed to paying very little for a terrible service. As regards main dealer v's independent, the balance always has to tip towards the main dealer because of the availability of experience, specialist knowledge and training. The truth is though that some main dealers can easily be put to shame by enthusiastic independents. Some main dealers have been shown to be decidedly ropey whilst some have been shown to be absolutely brilliant. I don't live anywhere near Lancashire as the original poster does, I live in Cambridgeshire. I go to Hertfordshire for all things Lexus rather than stay in Cambridgeshire because I didn't like the things I heard and saw about/ at my local official Lexus outlet.

[LennyLexus]

It really depends on your future intentions for the car and/ or if you have a great mechanic (known on the internet).

As a minimum I would go for the essential care monthly package for cars over 5 years old. This works out to £35 a month is for the CT on 8 monthly schedules, but excludes spark plus, air and cabin filters, diff oil and coolant change, you can get these done elsewhere or pay the extra at Lexus. 

For 40k/4years I have been offered amazingly discounted service plans (£1500 worth for £900), shop around and negotiate with various dealers, this year they have only offered 30Pc.

I would highly advise against Kwik fit and Halfords etc, they don't perform and manufacturer spec service or use OEM parts, fully synthetic oil is not included, these places also offer dealer spec services, however they are more expensive or the same price as a dealer. When I see a fast fit stamp in a service book, to me says the person didn't really care about their car. 

I'm moving away from dealer servicing because I've found mechanic who I trust but more importantly a quick Google shown his stamps well respected and known amongst car enthusiasts, services from him are expensive, the only way I've managed to make it more economically viable then main dealer is by supplying most of the parts myself (filters etc from Rockauto, oil from ECP). However with a hybrid I would probably negotiate with Lexus.