Dodgy Dealer Practices - "Interim" Service and other useless extra services

We have 2 Mitsubishi vehicles in our home and our Mitsubishi dealer sends a postal letter and also calls to book service appointments. Since the vehicle was due for annual capped price service I booked the appointment and look the vehicle for a service. I was not informed that was told that it was a interim service and not the annual log book service when our vehicle was in fact due for the annual log book service and our dealer had that information. During that service the service advisor was tried to sell wheel balancing and some other stuff but I declined it.

Six months later I get a letter from the dealer asking me to book for the cap priced log book service for the same vehicle. The vehicle is a two year old vehicle and has done only 6000 km per year. When I inquired why I was due for another service in 6 months and not 12 months I was informed that the previous service was an "interim service" but could not answer on why a low light use vehicle would need an interim service.

I took my other Mitsubishi vehicle for a capped price service to the same dealer. The service advisor called me 30 minutes before the scheduled pickup time and informed me that one of my tires had a puncture and it would cost an extra $45 to fix it. I did not have much choice so I agreed.

I drove the vehicle to the dealer and did not notice any puncture but it could have been a slow leak.

Do you think I was scammed?

Comments

  • +2

    So looking here: https://www.mitsubishi-motors.com.au/customer-assistance/mai…
    It appears most cars sold by Mitsubishi Australia are 15,000KMS/12 Months (which ever comes first)

    Check you service book, some books have the logbook 15,000 and then they have space for "interim" services but these are only done usually when special conditions are met, excessive heat/cold temps and the like.. it really is how long is a piece of string as to whether one is required, they also can use these extra places when unscheduled repairs are done such as "battery replacement or new tyres " etc

    Look at your invoice for the so called "interim" service and see what was done, then compare this with the logbook, also check the logbook and see which page was stamped.

    Also you do not have to get your car serviced by a dealer, you will almost always pay less than the "capped price" when you go elsewhere as the labor and parts charges in those capped prices are excessive when compared to third parties.
    (Disclaimer.. i work for a large mechanical chain)

    As for the tyres etc that's usual to be reported if it needs doing, chances are they were not trying to rip you off but were merely reporting what needed attention as the first step in the service is to do a full check over and see if everything is ok. I doubt the puncture was a scam to get more money from you, honestly you most likely had a slow leak or the like.

    • I compared both annual and interim services and the interim service does everything except replacing the pollen (cabin air filter). I complained to Mitsubishi head office and they asked me to talk to the service manager as to why an interim service was done when the vehicle was due for annual service and the head office booked me for an annual service but offered a "$25 discount from the head office"

  • +7

    The caviar on the dealership owners yacht isn’t going to pay for itself.

    • +1

      /local dealership owner twirls mustache

  • They are bleeding you for $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
    Find a good local mechanic and get them serviced there.
    I would be willing to pay even more than your capped price service deal to get it serviced by someone trustworthy.

  • one of my tires had a puncture and it would cost an extra $45 to fix it. I did not have much choice so I agreed.

    Why didn't you have a choice? If it was holding air on arrival it won't suddenly lose air. Normal repair price at a tyre shop is ~$20-25. You paid for the convenience. I doubt punctures are a big money spinner. That job is for AirCon cleaners, fuel system cleaners, oil additive packages etc.

    It sounds like you need to be slightly more aware / less trusting of what the workshop is doing. A shame but that's how things roll these days.

    • +1

      It sounds like you need to be slightly more aware / less trusting of what the workshop is doing. A shame but that's how things roll since forever.

      FTFY

  • Letters and calls from dealerships to bring your car in for a service are just marketing.

    The vehicle owner should know when the car needs a service, what is required, and should confirm this when booking in / dropping off the car for the service.

  • I do agree that the owner should be aware and educated. This time when took my vehicle for service I printed the 15,000KM service requirements and confirmed everything was done as per the guidelines. I reminded them to change the pollen filter at the 12 month service as recommended by Mitsubishi.

    I say this because one of my family member has an Hyundai IX 35 and the vehicle has been through 3 annual capped services at the dealer but the cabin air filter (pollen filter) had not been changed but inspected and cleaned (i.e blow air)

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