Comments by "g simpson" (@GSimpsonOAM) on "The Car Care Nut" channel.

  1. Our story. I had just bought a tidy Toyota (private sale) By coincidence my wife got a free service for a Toyota via a mystery shopper scheme. This is where chain stores, franchises etc pay you or provide free goods or service in return for a report on the service one received. So Toyota paid us to get a service from the dealer and report back. What happened. Service done. Car nice and clean. A week later I was driving it and noticed the annual inspection was not due next January as I thought but was in fact 6 months overdue. I booked it in to AA and it failed on a very loose wheel bearing. I was able to do that myself but was less than pleased that it had not been picked up on the service. So I went to speak to the service manager. He explained they simply do oil change and grease and the car is not inspected. It is up to the owner to note when the inspection is due (the new oil sticker had been placed next to the inspection sticker) As I normally do my own oil changes and check the vehicle at the same time I was outraged. The invoice stated the mechanic had spent 1.5 hours on car. So I said "$250 for basically and oil change and valet?" The office girl was trying not to laugh at seeing her boss squirm. Needless to say it was all detailed in report to Toyota. A year later.... Booked in again for service via the mystery shopper scheme. What a difference. The car came back with a detailed inspection sheet with all safety items ticked off and noted. Even the timing belt due soon was noted. Glowing report to Toyota.
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