Servicing Cost

I just paid $400 for a major service, but mine is a V8. Another guy in the office who drives a Nissan said that is the price he pays for a minor service.

 

Dude how'd you get a service this cheap.

I battle to get the VY servicing below $330 ever. And thats with fleet discount on the V6's. Don't even mention the Fleet Gen3's.

 

A minor service with synthetics for my gen 3 is $165. I havent had a major yet so Im not sure on the cost of that. I would find out what oil they are using & get a price from an outlet. Synthetic gear oils used to be costly but they werent $8 a litre.

 

if your going to buy mobil 1 buy it form a mobil servo because they dont ahve the store markup on the oil just a tip

 

a mobil servo??? they dont have to pay people to sell their products... trust me our service department does this everytime we need mobil1 for customers cars works out about $5 cheaper everytime....i dont know why its so much for just a simple lube change tho???

 

It is a conspiracy

These Holden Dealers have had it too good for too long. There has been a few threads on the topic of service costs and they all say the same thing- Holden are ripping off the consumer.

As I mentioned in another thread, I got a quote from Holden for a major service ($400 and something...) and Midas were half including semi-synthetic. They provide a stamped book service as do most other registered mechanical shops, for far less than Holden and they provided a comprensive inspection report.

My 3 year service was recently performed by Holden, which is a minor service (oil, oil filter and tyre rotation plus inspection). It was $200 and they did not rotate the tyres, did not report on the brake wear and left the car unwashed (previously always washed).

I am one customer they won't see again.:b:

 

I know I have a VX, but my major service costs $170 and a minor about $140. Local mechanic that still stamps the book. It's way out of warranty now so I dunno if that would of been affected originally, but $400 is WAY overpriced for the work that they do.

 

Some of those "extended warranties" are nothing but leverage to gain your service business for X amount of years. Try making a claim against it.

 

Oil Cost!

I have always provided my own oil when having my vehicles serviced at a Holden dealer.

I buy Mobil 1 when I can get it cheaper, such as Kmart 15% off sales or AutoCheap 20% off sales.

I then get the cost of the service reduced by the charge the dealer makes for his oil, which at one time (about 7 - 8 years ago) was more than I was paying for the Mobil 1.

 

Fekason got it in one, and even K-mart have 15% off today as well, NSW anyway . With the ute I did my own oil/spark plugs/filter myself..K&N filter iridium plugs and big leads which didn't need replacing as often as normal items. Only thing left for the dealer to do was if needed was clutch/brake fluid change or coolant change, and just the basic checks, hence my services were under $200 for the every 10k service due. Mind you it did cost abit for the spark plugs/air filter and oil, BUT it pays for itself in the long run.

 

You cannot void the warranty by bringing your vehicle to the repairer of your choice, provided they are a registered mechanical repair shop (MTA?). Holden would like to have you believe the factory warranty is void but it is not.

If you buy an older vehicle or purchase a new car extended warranty, they CAN have a requirement for you to have it serviced by them - even then getting warranty repairs is like getting blood from a stone. So save your hard earned dosh and put it in a bank account for the day you do need to repair your car...

 

Small amounts add up!

I had my '05 SSZ ute in for its 10,000k service yesterday and I noticed some things that it might be worth keeping an eye out for.

It was in for the standard service as per the handbook as well as:

Hardcover leaks like a sieve (covered under warranty - new seals ordered)
Clunk from front end at full steering lock (covered under warranty - no fault found)
Full synthetic oil

The suprises were:

WSWA additive at $1.35 + GST (strange since I only washed it the day before and I filled it up then.

Misc lubes and greases $4.50 + GST (servicing card indicates lubricate locks, hinges and latches) which obviously isn't done as I cleaned the bonnet latch when I washed it as a test of integrity of the service. Nor have I ever seen it done on any of my Holdens I have had serviced at various dealers.

Emission service - NG $25.00 + GST ( What the hell is this? It would want to be good at $25 though)

At least I know they did actually rotate the wheels because they damaged two of them undoing the nuts - this one I brought it straight to the managers attention and they are going to remedy this when I go in to get the seal replaced.

My question is, am I being too pedantic? I am just sick of the crappy service that has been provided for a total service that cost $261.25

 

No you're not being too pedantic. For too long mechanics have been over-pricing and not doing the work they claim. Especially for services, I think the only thing they do do, is change the oil and maybe rotate the tyres. If there's obvious things that need replacing like your seals, that will be done. But probably only if mentioned. You should ask what 'emission service' is. Not in a smart ass way, but just for your own information.

 

Well I just had my VY have some warranty stuff done.

Lets just say I'll never take my car to Holden again and am currently writing a letter of complaint.