Dealer's list of recommended items

[RichardPan]

My 07 Yaris was taken to Canadian Tire rather than dealership for the first 4 years I owned it. Just as a data point of comparison:

1. Battery was tested at 6.5 years old, 92k km. Was told it was "almost dead." Replaced with MotoMaster Eliminator. I'm pretty sure if I take it to Canadian tire, they wouldn't find a problem with the battery today, because they're on the hook for the pro-rated warranty for 10 years. So my battery was probably replaced somewhat pre-maturely, as it never had any problem starting, no matter how cold it was.

2. ATF drain and fill: Done at 110k km, with Castrol import ATF, because whoever checked it said "it was black". 2 years later, it was done again, at Toyota dealership, when I took it in for a recall and had "scheduled maintaince done."

3. Drum brake service: done at 112k km. Not sure if any was done before 92k km. When I took it into dealership at 121k km, both front and rear brakes required service. The rear brake needed replacement, to the tune ot $600+ CAD.

4. Belts: I replace a belt twice while I owned this Yaris, both times due to a loud squeaking noise. Both times cost $50 for labor (half hour) and $20 for aftermarket belt.

Now, having shown all these work done, keep in mind that when I take my car into Canadian Tire, I didn't pay them to inspect this and inspect that. They did oil change, or seasonal tire rotation, and then they look around for things to do, on spec.

The two times I took it into dealership for recall repairs, I also went for "recommended maintaince." The labor on these scheduled maintenance was $132 each time, which included the labor, but not parts of an oil change. The first time, they found front pipe gasket cracked, and both brakes in not so great shape. Plus engine and cabin air filter. So it came to $1000+ CAD, including the cost of looking for things wrong. The second time, which happened 10 months later, they did coolant and ATF replacement, plus "EFI service." Oh, and cabin air filter.

Now, since you went into for an oil change on special, you can expect the dealership to find things wrong with your car, to make up for the loss dealer that is the oil change oil special. At least you're not paying them for the privilege of looking for things to do on your car.