Expensive Hyundai service

[raju_kb98]

Hi

I am the owner of a 2004 make Hyundai Santro. I have been very happy with the car all these years, but have always had the niggling doubt that Hyundai service is expensive and adds on stuff that is not required. My recent service at Advaith Hyundai, ORR, Bangalore makes this doubt stronger.

The bill for a regular service came to almost Rs. 5000. This included two belt changes that accounted for INR 1500, but even without it, service cost INR 3500. Also, the service advisors always through in some expensive additions: Engine oil additive, AC vent cleaning etc. He even tried to get me to do engine decarbonizing, pretending that it is part of 45000 km service. On the whole, Hyundai seems to be out to make as much money as possible through its service centers.

Are there any non-dealer service centers for Hyundai, like the Maruti authorized service centers? Also what would be the impact of getting a 45000K + Santro serviced at non-authorized service centers? I am sure there are enough local garages that can service a santro, and my car's warranty period is long over. Any thoughts from knowledgable BHPians?

[mnhegde]

It would be helpful if you could provide the parts and cost break up of the bill.

[sabsubs]

Originally Posted by raju_kb98

Are there any non-dealer service centers for Hyundai, like the Maruti authorized service centers? Also what would be the impact of getting a 45000K + Santro serviced at non-authorized service centers? I am sure there are enough local garages that can service a santro, and my car's warranty period is long over. Any thoughts from knowledgable BHPians?

You could try the Bosh service centers in Bangalore.

[GTO]

Typically, as a car grows older, the annual cost of maintenance goes up. A 5 year old 50,000 kms car will start needing suspension bits, some new rubber parts (belts and hoses), brake overhaul jobs etc. Keeping in mind the expensive parts + labour rates at authorised service centers, we generally recommend looking out for a competent after-market specialist.

Engine oil additive, AC vent cleaning etc. He even tried to get me to do engine decarbonizing, pretending that it is part of 45000 km service.

LOL! He's just trying to meet his monthly targets. I'm glad you caught him out.

[ash_blore]

Originally Posted by sabsubs

You could try the Bosh service centers in Bangalore.

My accent is due for a service. Where can I find this Bosh service center? Also any reviews of "Fast Cars" service in bangalore?

[wildon]

Originally Posted by ash_blore

My accent is due for a service. Where can I find this Bosh service center? Also any reviews of "Fast Cars" service in bangalore?

Try this

Bosch - Karnataka

[.anshuman]

Please post the complete break up of the costs. I disagree with you regarding Hyundai service being expensive. I just got my Elantra back from 125k kms service that included oil change+All filters+Coolant+all regular maintenance jobs and it set me back by Just 4k (got labour charges free worth ~900 bucks)

[raju_kb98]

Service center: Advaith Hyundai, Outer Ring Road, Bangalore.

The cost breakup goes as below
Parts
____
Wurostoff 105.16 (What is that!!)
Oil Supplement 337
Engine oil 592
Brake fluid 226
Engine Flush 311
Distilled water 9
Cylinder kit: Brake 187
Oil filter 69
V ribbed belt 497
V ribbed belt 236
Gasket : oil plug 31
Plug : oil drain 100
Gasket: T belt: 59
Windscreen washer: 88
Bulb: 51

Labour
Brake bleeding 100
Brake drum cleaning 200
Emission certification 60
Caliper greasing 100
Consumables 175
Belt: Power steering pump: 84
Belt: V 84

Grando total including tax: 4984.

Out of this, I felt the engine oil supplement, engine flush were slipped in unnecessarily. Also, charging INR 88 for windscreen washer, which is soap solution, I think is a little rich.

Is engine oil replacement once in 6 months actually required for a petrol engine? I remember just topping up the engine oil in our old premier padmini. Not sure if oil replacement is required for the newer engines.

Also, can anyone tell me if a 6 monthly service is actually required? My Santro runs hardly 20 km a day, within the city only. Will a yearly service do? I plan to keep the Santro, which is my second car, for a long time. But if the service bills keep mounting then it is an irritant.

While Hyundai service definitely does a good job and attends to any problems, the attitude seems to be to slip in as many expensive items as possible. As I mentioned before, I had to put my foot down to prevent them from doing an engine decarb!!

What Hyundai does not understand is, if they were somewhat more sincere about not slipping in expensive non essential items, I would happily take the car to them once in 6 months, but not I am thinking of servicing only once in a year. I think the loss is Huyndai's by looking for a short term killing.

[DieselFan]

Yes this seems expensive. You are right about oil additives and engine flush. If you have not asked for them please don't pay. Also charging for windscreen washer when you are charged for consumables is double charging (Daylight robbery).

[sdp1975]

Originally Posted by raju_kb98

On the whole, Hyundai seems to be out to make as much money as possible through its service centers.

When I gave my M-800 for the 23K/5yr service , the SA made a bill of 4.5 K.

The car was problem free, and the unnecessary parts were engine oil additive, engine analysis, brake bleeding etc. He had tried to add a few other things that I rejected.

I too got the feeling that the SA was keen on making a bloated bill.

My friend has a used accent - he has stopped going to the ASC and instead visits a private garage and is satisfied.

[ash_blore]

gave my (now) 6 year old accent gls (done 45K KMs so far) for service at Motorsmiths.
the following things are being done as part of serivice

engine oil check, air filter check, oil filter check
all lamps check
full body exterior cleaning
interior cleaning with vacuum cleaner
liquid top ups (wind screen, radiator etc)

The above paid service is 650. He looked at the engine oil and recommended me to not change it as its good. Since last service (6 months ago) it has done only 3K KMs

I asked him to overhaul the brakes. He dismantled the front discs and rear drums and showed them to me (never changed pads and liner since I bought the car).

The rotors have a step so he said he will get it turned. I agreed. The rear drum also had the same problem so he will fix that as well. The front pads and the rear liner needs replacement. I totally agreed as my brakes were very insecure.
The rear breaks also need the oil cylinder to be replaced (leaks) so I agreed.

The car is due back today. Once I get it I will post feedback on the service and also detailed bill break up for reference.

[.anshuman]

Originally Posted by raju_kb98

Wurostoff 105.16 (What is that!!) Not necessary
Oil Supplement 337 Not necessary
Engine oil 592
Brake fluid 226 Has to be replaced with cylinder kit, worn out part
Engine Flush 311 Not necessary
Distilled water 9
Cylinder kit: Brake 187 Worn out part
Oil filter 69
V ribbed belt 497 A part of preventive maitainance
V ribbed belt 236 Preventive maintainace
Gasket : oil plug 31
Plug : oil drain 100
Gasket: T belt: 59
Windscreen washer: 88 Too much for washer fluid, which brand did they use
Bulb: 51 Damaged part

Labour
Brake bleeding 100
Brake drum cleaning 200
Emission certification 60 Should have got it done from outside
Caliper greasing 100 ???
Consumables 175
Belt: Power steering pump: 84
Belt: V 84

Grando total including tax: 4984.

I have mentioned the reason for the part changed in the breakup above,

Every dealership be it Maruti or Hyundai tries to push for stuff like engine oil additive, decarbonising, engine flushing etc but actually this is not necessary most of the times. When we gave our Scorpio for the first service they did all these jobs without prior permission so i did not pay for it plus i asked them for literature from Mahindra which suggests these jobs should be carried out, they had to waive off charges for all these things.

There are some things like brakes overhaul, suspension job etc which need to be carried out when the car gets older leading to escalation of bills compared to previous services. Please note the cost of maintaining a car will go up as the car logs on more kms. I had to pay 4k-7k Rupees on an average for maintaining my Indica after 50,000kms which was almost trouble free compared to this My Elantra comes back cheaper from service station at times.

The cost of replacing worn out parts should not be called as Service Cost however Parts replaced for preventive maintenance can be included in service cost.

[sgiitk]

He is trying to take you on. Next time just write no extra items without pre-approval on the sheet.

Anything (excl. consumables) which is part of the service is included in the charge.

[nandans2005]

raju,

the costs are very high. However we all know that the hyundai reputation on the maintenance part is not very good. Everbody knows the cost of maintaining Hyundaoi are on the higher side comparatively with other makes. Atleast i understand this.

@ Ash-Blore.

Please change the engine oil after the time recomended by the car company. Its not the no. of kms you run with the new oil. Its the life of the oil and six months is high time you changed the oil in your car.

Please change the oil, since the properties of the oil would have changed.

[nairrk]

IMO, it is not the hyundai, but hyundai dealer is trying to make money. It is there for any brand. It depends on dealer to dealer - some are very realistic and some are not.

Next time, wherever you go for service, ask for a quotation/estimate for the work/any consumables required?