Car help

[Guest]

Hi all,

Just wondering if anyone could help me with advice about my car, I’m utterly clueless about cars!. It’s due for MOT in Nov, always gone to Toyota (Yaris hybrid 2014) but as it’s completely other side of town and with being nearly 8 mnths preggers I can’t face the journey there then the two busses to get home and back again later (they never have while you wait slots!).

There’s a Halfords auto centre near me that I was considering- are they any good?

Also do I NEED to get it serviced? With Covid etc I’ve only done 3k miles this year, seems a lot of money for so little miles and the car is running fine (as far as I know)🤷🤷

Thanks xx

[novocastrian]

had MOT's at halfords as good as anyone ? can usually get online code for MOT @25-30 quid?

ref service personally i'd get an oil/filter change probably 50 quid ?

imo of course

[Trouble3]

My Toyota garage used to come get my car for its service and MOT... and bought it back washed.

Once my Prius got to a certain age though (it's a 2007), I stopped getting it serviced by Toyota and started using my local Mr Clutch. I've also used Halfords when they had an offer on that beat Mr Clutch.

I don't service the car every year anymore, as I just don't use the car enough to warrant it.

[mickey house]

I personally wouldn't go to halfrauds service centres and especially not with a hybrid car. I know toyota will be more expensive than halfrauds but I would have more trust in them servicing it, plus what you save you will lose when you sell it as people love a full dealer history especially with a hybrid.

[Guest]

Originally Posted by Trouble3

My Toyota garage used to come get my car for its service and MOT... and bought it back washed.

Once my Prius got to a certain age though (it's a 2007), I stopped getting it serviced by Toyota and started using my local Mr Clutch. I've also used Halfords when they had an offer on that beat Mr Clutch.

I don't service the car every year anymore, as I just don't use the car enough to warrant it.

See more...

They’ve stopped doing the collect a return for free sadly 😔.

[Trouble3]

Due to COVID I'd imagine a lot of people won't be doing services on their cars this year, so to be honest I don't think missing it for a year would make a big dent in the "full service history" side of things... I'd just get an MOT done wherever and write COVID in the service book.

[400ixl]

Halfords are actually one of the more knowledgeable on Hybrids and full electric vehicles and are investing heavily in this area. Don't let people's stereo types tell you otherwise.

A 2014 car should not find much wrong on an MOT. It should mainly be consumables like tyre, brakes etc. You only need to engage on having any work done in these areas if it means they will fail the test. If they say they are low and need replacing, just ask if they will categorically fail the test, and if not you will re-book at another time unless you do want to have the work done.

Having said that I would personally find a local Toyota specialist near to you if you have one who will do a service and MOT with more specialist knowledge of your car. It will be far cheaper than going to a main dealer which a car of your age does not need to go to. It will not make any difference to the value. Not servicing it due to the high dealer cost will have more of an impact on future value and ability to sell it, especially on a hybrid. I don't agree that people won't be having their vehicles serviced as per usual unless they really are older less desirable cars.

What is the service schedule on the car? Some are annually, bi-annually, mileage or determined by the car itself through usage?

[Guest]

Originally Posted by 400ixl

Halfords are actually one of the more knowledgeable on Hybrids and full electric vehicles and are investing heavily in this area. Don't let people's stereo types tell you otherwise.

A 2014 car should not find much wrong on an MOT. It should mainly be consumables like tyre, brakes etc. You only need to engage on having any work done in these areas if it means they will fail the test. If they say they are low and need replacing, just ask if they will categorically fail the test, and if not you will re-book at another time unless you do want to have the work done.

Having said that I would personally find a local Toyota specialist near to you if you have one who will do a service and MOT with more specialist knowledge of your car. It will be far cheaper than going to a main dealer which a car of your age does not need to go to. It will not make any difference to the value. Not servicing it due to the high dealer cost will have more of an impact on future value and ability to sell it, especially on a hybrid. I don't agree that people won't be having their vehicles serviced as per usual unless they really are older less desirable cars.

What is the service schedule on the car? Some are annually, bi-annually, mileage or determined by the car itself through usage?

See more...

Err well the options come up as every 10,000 miles/yearly
So it’s telling me I need

Intermediate service 70,000 miles/7 years.

Well I’m only on 55k miles, I do very little I bought it in 2016 and it was on 38k miles, so my mileage is low 🤷

The only Toyota approved place near me is Toyota, from what I can gather from a google search!

[Mr Tom Morrow]

I would be making enquiries locally for a good independent garage.

They tend to do very good work at reasonable prices. They need a loyal customer base so tend to be hidden gems.

If you do decide to go to Toyota I would be requesting a loan car for the day especially as you are pregnant. Good bargaining tool.

[400ixl]

Some quick analysis:

Looks like you can get 20% off both servicing and MOT fees if you join their 5+ club blog.toyota/toyota-ser...-toyota-5-club

With this discount it would be cheaper than Halfords and probably not too far off a specialist. So the main dealer might be the best way to go still for you.

Where abouts in the country are you? Maybe a specialist nearby worth calling to get a comparison price.

For a courtesy car, maybe say you would like to drive a newer model to see how they feel. They might see it as an upsell opportunity, but need not be from your side.