Corolla MY 2014 80K Service - Too Cheap to Be True?

Hamlet on 14/10/2017 - 13:50
Last edited 14/10/2017 - 17:30 by 1 other user

Hi all,

So my Toyota Corolla is due for its 80k logbook service. I usually go to KMart as their prices are usually quite reasonable ($200-$250). This time, however, they quoted $750 and mentioned that it was a 'major' service. I usually don't shop around but because of the price, I wanted to make sure I was getting a reasonable price.

Ultratune quoted me with $330. That's a massive difference. I was quite surprised… And I double checked to make sure Ultratune knew I was talking about the 80k service. After that, I checked Autoguru for independent mobile mechanics, and this one mechanic quoted me $215 all inclusive.

Call me cautious or whatever, but is that too good to be true? $750 at KMart and $215 for a mobile workshop for the same job? This mechanic Vik's Mobile Workshop: also has a lot of good reviews on Autoguru too… Could anyone please advise which I should go for? Obviously I am tempted to go for the $215, but at the same time I am also quite wary of scams…

Just for your information, 80k logbook includes:
80,000 km or 4 years
Brake fluid/Cabin Filter/Air Filter/Fuel Filter

EDIT: I did realise that the independent mechanic did not include replacement of fuel filter (in tank filter) in the quote. Does this cost a lot?

• 

  whooah1979 on 14/10/2017 - 14:14

  +3

  this one mechanic quoted me $215 all inclusive.

  That doesn't sound right. It sounds like they're cutting some corners to keep that price.

• 

  Stewardo on 14/10/2017 - 14:05

  +2

  I’d personally avoid all franchise/brand name mechanics
  I’d ring Kmart and ask them to explain price difference on several quotes.
  Maybe they think they can get you to pay top dollar, I’m sure some people do. You did the right thing shopping around,
  Old taxi drivers often know a local reliable mechanic, as taxis need a lot of servicing.

• 

  Baysew on 14/10/2017 - 14:12

  +1

  See also 80K Log Book Service Mazda 3 - Rip off?

• 

  ys on 14/10/2017 - 17:03

  +1

  hi, is there any reason why you are not servicing with toyota officially?

  • 

    Euphemistic on 14/10/2017 - 20:11

    +1

    They tend to call them stealerships for a reason.

    • 

      ys on 14/10/2017 - 23:12

      oh damn, i just serviced my yaris for 54month/90000km and paid $225… i thought that was a good price but i guess i got ripped off :(((

      • 

        Euphemistic on 15/10/2017 - 07:25

        +1

        You may not have been ripped of, but typically dealerships will upsell, and use apprentices that don't do very well at diagnosing issues that are not on the scheduled list. They know how to change the oil well enough, but often overlook other issues.

        That is not all dealerships though, just the stereotype.

        Getting to know a local mechanic shouldn't cost any more, and if they get to know your car can advise you if things are starting to go wrong, especially in older cars.

      • 

        ys on 16/10/2017 - 15:40

        @Euphemistic: thank you for explaining this to me :)

  • 

    supnigs super skids on 14/10/2017 - 17:23

    What about mobile mechanics ? Less likely to rip off at your location

• 

  shapers on 14/10/2017 - 14:52

  Everything listed is quite easy to do except for the fuel filter which is why i suspect the last quote is so much cheaper.
  Havnt had any experience with a corolla but from my experience doing anything in tank is usually a pain in the ass to do.

• 

  Cheeper on 14/10/2017 - 14:58

  You can look up the cost of your fuel filter on the internet… :-(
  It could be anything from $70 - $100. Can be fiddly to fit but that depends on the skill of the operator.
  ""80,000 km or 4 years
  Brake fluid/Cabin Filter/Air Filter/Fuel Filter""
  add oil & filter to that list as well.

  Go with the mobile mechanic and make sure you itemise what you want done to him… dont just say 80k service. see what his price is then.

• 

  outlander on 14/10/2017 - 15:20

  Oh wow, so the replacing the fuel filter is more involved on these later models
  On the old ones it was inline, so all you had to do was pull off the old one and fit a new one. 2 minute job with $10 part

  • 

    aussieprepper on 14/10/2017 - 15:55

    Doesn't look to bad i took the front seat out of my car to clean the other week.

• 

  Gronk on 14/10/2017 - 15:24

  Hi OP,

  What year is your Corolla, I've checked the 80,000km service for a few different models and none of them have Fuel Filter replacement as a requirement for that particular interval, so unless you've asked for it it would appear they're quoting for additional work to try and make a bit more moolah.

  Edit: If you're willing to PM me your VIN that would be even more useful…

  • 

    Hamlet on 14/10/2017 - 16:47

    Corolla's 2014. fuel filter is written in the service logbook for 80k service.

    • 

      Gronk on 14/10/2017 - 18:18

      It is possible that Toyota have changed the requirement relating to the fuel filter since you purchased, on my end I'm still not seeing Fuel Filter as a required replacement item on that particular service - I'd be inclined to get a quote from your local dealer and see what they say.

      Looking at the price of the fuel filter replacement on it's own, if Kmart have included this in their quote then their pricing is on point.

• 

  ravonda on 14/10/2017 - 16:45

  I was scammed by KMart auto once and would never go back to them anymore. Found out 2 years after that my friend had the same problem.

  They basically have a price list on their poster that says something like $190 for an annual service for a normal sedan car. When I go back to collect the car, they'd say it's $230 or something like that (cant remember exact amount because it's been too long). When questioned about the price, the manager told me that it's because my car is a newer model (it was a 6yr old car) and costs more for service. And guess what my friend was told when he had the same issue? They told him it's because his car is older. What a load of bullcrap!

• 

  airzone on 14/10/2017 - 17:03

  Brake fluid - Change or top-up? Top-up is 2 minutes work, change is about 30 minutes or so with the right tools.
  Cabin Filter - 5 minutes work
  Air Filter - 2 minutes work
  Fuel Filter - Apparently it's in the fuel tank, so that's a bit of a PITA to get to.

  I'd say the cheaper guys aren't changing the fuel filter.

  • 

    JIMB0 on 14/10/2017 - 18:10

    Brake fluid only gets checked on a Toyota. They test it to see if the boiling point has been lowered from moisture getting in. The brake system is so well sealed it could be 10 years before the fluid needs changing.

    • 

      Gronk on 14/10/2017 - 18:24

      Replacing brake fluid every 2 years is pretty much an industry standard, both locally and abroad. While I'm not going to say it doesn't happen, it would be illegal for the dealer to claim they replaced brake fluid when they only topped it up or checked it.

• 

  Euphemistic on 14/10/2017 - 20:15

  If you want to save a few more coins, don't worry about the cabin filter. pull it out yourself, give it a good vacuum and wash/dry it and reinstall. It doesn't affect the running of the car at all, just filters out dust etc from going into the AC or your face. corolla is pretty common, there should be a tutorial online.

  • 

    kickling on 15/10/2017 - 09:43

    Yup. Both cabin and air filter are easy peasy to replace. Do that yourself to save dollars. Even wait for supercheap 20 percent off or repco percent off sale.

    The other two fluid related components… Fiddly and dirty work. See what they quote you on those two and weigh up your willingness to pay how many dollars for the lot vs brake+fuel.

• 

  gomazz on 15/10/2017 - 11:23

  On most cars, you have to pull the back seat out to get at the in tank fuel filter. Even though it's listed, it's not a part that's changed, except by the dealership, as fuel is very clean these days. I have 212k on an Elantra and the fuel filter has never been touched. I'd go with the mobile mechanic.