For me its the exact opposite. Every time my vehicle has ever been damaged while in for service its been at the dealership. My independent mechanic never damages my vehicle. One of the main reasons why I prefer to use my independent.

 

Toyota Dealer and A La Carte based on the Driver's Manual.

 

I have been driving now since March 1968. In all that time I have only ever taken a vehicle to a service station, agent or specialist - - TWICE. As I am now getting a little older and it is getting harder to roll around under the car on concrete floors, two weeks ago I had the Lexus dealer change the rear left shock absorber. I purchased the part from the parts department and got a $55 discount and then drove it to the service department. When I purchase a vehicle I buy a notebook and write everything in it relating to the car or truck. Keep all records, receipts and part numbers so that it is easier next time. My advice is, give it a go.

 

Bingo!! Cost me $348 maintenance for 30,000 miles.

 

Sorry, I might miss some of your points. Was the parts department and service department you dealt with in the same dealership? Would it be any different if you just deal with their service department vs procuring parts yourself instead? Could I bring in parts bought from out of dealer's loop for them to put on?

 

What was the 300+ dollars service included, besides free loaner, free car wash, free coffee bar........?

 

I had asked a similar question a few months ago, seeing that 0W-20 synthetic was rather expensive and that it would be easy for a crooked repair place to substitute cheap oil and pocket the difference. So I bought the oil and filter and changed it on my RX450h myself, a very simple task as it turned out.

There should be a way to easily verify that the good stuff was used.

 

I ordered the shock absorber from the parts department of my local Toyota dealership. Walked across to the service department and booked the car in for the following week. Picked up the shock and immediately dropped the car at the service dept. Told them the shock was on the back seat. I had made a label with the date and Km's when it was installed and stuck it onto the lower portion of the shock, ready for installation. As it was a genuine Toyota part they had no reason to refuse to install it. Doing it that way I saved $55 because I told the parts department that it was for my company and that triggered the discount. Had I done it the 'normal' way I would have needed to pay full price for the shock. In the past, knowing that a timing belt was getting close to the end of its life I have purchased the parts (non OEM) at discounted rates and simply taken the car (another Toyota) into a regular garage or service bay and told them to change the belt and associated parts. By the way, I am in New Zealand, perhaps it works differently here, although I don't see why it should.

 

And the problem is.................... a lack of trust. It has been proven again and again that there are disreputable mechanics and service providers. Changing oil and filters is not difficult. Some car manufacturers will design their vehicles so as to need a special tool to do the simplest of tasks so the you need them in the loop. There are only three things that are CRITICAL in doing the oil and filter change. 1. Make sure the sump bung is tight, but not too tight. 2. Snug the filter up to the recommended tightness. 3. Never start the engine until you have checked the oil level TWICE. Its not rocket science.

 

I just use the dealership. Since I got the car there, I have something like 8 $50 service coupons they automatically apply. So I can get annual/10k service for generally about $40. Plus I drop it off and get a loaner for the day no questions asked.

Not sure all dealers have that coupon deal for customers though. I could probably buy the filter and oil for $30, but my time is worth more than $10 savings.

If I had an older car, I’d probably take it to an independent shop for minor things. Just depends on the car and how I feel at the time.