Reputable garage for servicing and more

[Kam_Lexus_IS_200t]

Can anyone recommend a Lexus/Toyota garage other than a dealer for general service and small repairs. Would like someone that is knowledgeable on Lexus and Toyota, thanks.

[Notamech]

Where about are you looking for one? Would be useful to know which city or region so that people can advise accordingly. 

[Kam_Lexus_IS_200t]

13 hours ago, Notamech said:

Where about are you looking for one? Would be useful to know which city or region so that people can advise accordingly. 

London preferably

[IS300FSPORT]

You will struggle to find independent garages specialised for Toyota/Lexus simply because they dont really go wrong theres no market for them. Its the typical wear & tear items that are usually due servicing, tyres,brakes, waterpumps, engines with cambelt. Unlike the German cars VW, Audis, VW Specialist that are setup to support with tuning & servicing etc

Most garages can service these cars, nothing complex at all unless your doing anything major to the HYBRID system.

Im not a mechanic by any means but servicing Toyota/Lexus has been one of the easiest cars to work or live with the only time it sees a garage is for an MOT 

If your good at DIY & Have the space invest in a couple of ramps/axle stands & tools & you will enjoy working on these cars look on youtube for how to guidances. 

[Kam_Lexus_IS_200t]

47 minutes ago, IS300FSPORT said:

You will struggle to find independent garages specialised for Toyota/Lexus simply because they dont really go wrong theres no market for them. Its the typical wear & tear items that are usually due servicing, tyres,brakes, waterpumps, engines with cambelt. Unlike the German cars VW, Audis, VW Specialist that are setup to support with tuning & servicing etc

Most garages can service these cars, nothing complex at all unless your doing anything major to the HYBRID system.

Im not a mechanic by any means but servicing Toyota/Lexus has been one of the easiest cars to work or live with the only time it sees a garage is for an MOT 

If your good at DIY & Have the space invest in a couple of ramps/axle stands & tools & you will enjoy working on these cars look on youtube for how to guidances. 

Yes you are right it is an easy car to work with tbf. Me and my friend changed all the discs and pads on my IS200t and it was straight forward although there was a lot of lock tight applied to one of the bolts other than that is was okay even with limited tools. I will be servicing the car at Lexus every year to have the piece of mind with the warranty they give every year.

[LenT]

16 hours ago, Kam_Lexus_IS_200t said:

Can anyone recommend a Lexus/Toyota garage other than a dealer for general service and small repairs. Would like someone that is knowledgeable on Lexus and Toyota, thanks.

Slight confusion here possibly?

Having said you want someone other than a Dealer for general service, you then later say that…

21 minutes ago, Kam_Lexus_IS_200t said:

I will be servicing the car at Lexus every year to have the piece of mind with the warranty they give every year.

I may be mistaken, but I suspect that the service warranty’s conditional on it being carried out by a Dealer!

There are three London Lexus dealers showing in the Lexus list and I presume you are already aware of them.  I think both Edgware Rd and Woodford have had mainly good reports by LOC members in the past.

[Kam_Lexus_IS_200t]

3 minutes ago, LenT said:

Slight confusion here possibly?

Having said you want someone other than a Dealer for general service, you then later say that…

I may be mistaken, but I suspect that the service warranty’s conditional on it being carried out by a Dealer!

There are three London Lexus dealers showing in the Lexus list and I presume you are already aware of them.  I think both Edgware Rd and Woodford have had mainly good reports by LOC members in the past.

In that case I’d stick with the dealer to have the reassurance with the warranty they provide.

[Notamech]

9 hours ago, Kam_Lexus_IS_200t said:

In that case I’d stick with the dealer to have the reassurance with the warranty they provide.

If you're looking to get any work done. I highly recommend checking prices across different authorised service centers. Lexus also have just service centres that do not have a dealership / showroom. These service centres tend to be cheaper. E.g. Lexus Hayes and Lexus Chalfont. 

I had my waterpump replaced a while ago and Lexus Hayes did it for £320 with coolant and a new belt for the price. Lexus Twickenham which is a "dealership" wanted £428 without a new belt. 

I am not sure if service costs differ too but worth checking. You will continue to retain your warranty if you use these centres and their rates are comparable to an indie. 

 

 

[Kam_Lexus_IS_200t]

1 hour ago, Notamech said:

If you're looking to get any work done. I highly recommend checking prices across different authorised service centers. Lexus also have just service centres that do not have a dealership / showroom. These service centres tend to be cheaper. E.g. Lexus Hayes and Lexus Chalfont. 

I had my waterpump replaced a while ago and Lexus Hayes did it for £320 with coolant and a new belt for the price. Lexus Twickenham which is a "dealership" wanted £428 without a new belt. 

I am not sure if service costs differ too but worth checking. You will continue to retain your warranty if you use these centres and their rates are comparable to an indie. 

 

 

Thanks I will look into this

[Bluemarlin]

23 hours ago, Kam_Lexus_IS_200t said:

In that case I’d stick with the dealer to have the reassurance with the warranty they provide.

If you're going to do that then it's worth considering a service plan. It will fix the servicing price over its duration as well as spread the cost, and you can often get a discount based on length of plan. When I took out a 5 year plan I got 15% off.

[MartinH]

14 hours ago, Kam_Lexus_IS_200t said:

Thanks I will look into this

That is interesting — please post your findings

[Mr_Groundhog]

Lexus aren't always the most expensive: my dashcam was fitted by them at a loss (brand policy), but if you're looking for an independent specialist to do work the dealership would say no to, you can try these guys (I haven't tried them myself yet)  https://www.dmbautomotive.co.uk/

[Kam_Lexus_IS_200t]

11 hours ago, Mr_Groundhog said:

Lexus aren't always the most expensive: my dashcam was fitted by them at a loss (brand policy), but if you're looking for an independent specialist to do work the dealership would say no to, you can try these guys (I haven't tried them myself yet)  https://www.dmbautomotive.co.uk/

Just the place I was looking for someone with experience as a Lexus Mechanic. Thanks at least now I have a place to go if need be.

[Bluemarlin]

22 hours ago, Mr_Groundhog said:

Lexus aren't always the most expensive: my dashcam was fitted by them at a loss (brand policy), but if you're looking for an independent specialist to do work the dealership would say no to, you can try these guys (I haven't tried them myself yet)  https://www.dmbautomotive.co.uk/

I would agree on pricing. Prior to taking out my service plan I got quotes from two independent Lexus specilists for servicing, and their prices were no cheaper than main dealer pricing.

Independent (non specialist garages) tend to be the cheapest, so I get my servicing done by Lexus, but any interim stuff, that any competent mechanic can do, I get done by local garage.