Maruti Service is cheap - A myth!

vasudeva · 26th February 2009, 17:24

Without knowing what wear and tear your car has gone through, difficult to say for sure whether the replacements were justified. I did own Maruti (800 and Zen) from 1995-2003. While service costs were reasonable enough, this is what I had to invariably encounter:

1. some request for some extra work to be done (Fucot, interior, suspension, etc).
2. sticker pasted on the rear window 100% of the time (had to 100% of the time get it removed before leaving).

Other than that, no major issues. However, that was till 2003. No subsequent experience.

neoranjit · 26th February 2009, 17:30

I have never come across a 11K bill when I had my 56km run Esteem. So, I dont think, its Maruti Service Costs but its the Service Center that would need some scrutiny.

ankit.jhamb · 26th February 2009, 17:35

the amount you have mentioned is very high.the paid service charges are rs 700 max.the "brakes" service is something you could have avioded.

injector cleaning is soething that should be a labour item,dont know why it has been added to the parts list.
BTW what was the estimate given to you at the time of handing over the car for service.?

Hurrycane12 · 26th February 2009, 17:43

For my last service at 32000 Kms i paid just 3500/- at Mandovi Motors for my Baleno.

esteem_lover · 26th February 2009, 17:47

Quote:

carb & injector cleaner - 283.67
injector cleaner - 401.20

Why 2 different items for the same injector cleaner ?
This service station is a sure ripper.

Quote:

Originally Posted by neoranjit

I have never come across a 11K bill when I had my 56km run Esteem.

How could you ? You would have used it for one day & filled in 5 litres of fuel for that. Drive some more & tell us ranjit.

suman · 26th February 2009, 17:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by sonirohit

Well from what you have mentioned - I feel you've been clearly cheated on the tax front... The spares/consumables are incl of all taxes. You are liable to pay only service tax on the labour charges.

You have to pay VAT on the Material & Service Tax on the Labour

dushmish · 26th February 2009, 18:32

Try Spectra Motors in Borivali. Difficult to comment on the costs without knowing service history. If you choose to get done things beyond what is recommended by MUL Service Manual, it does get costly. Lets understand that's were the dealer makes money. Things like, throttle cleaning, wiper washer liquid (its costleir than most shampoos!), and such small things.

I try and rationalise the sundry things. It keeps the costs low.

v1p3r · 26th February 2009, 18:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by chocoguy4u

Don't you find brake pads at rs. 2360 expensive??

The brake pads are SGP, made in Japan specifically for an extinct model and exported to India.

Quote:

Originally Posted by chocoguy4u

One was for throttle body cleaning and the second for injector cleaning.
I was told that they are necessary and mentioned in the user manual. He was also pushing me for engine decarb. But had done it at 30000 kms so refused. But have to say he tried his level best.

They are not necessary and not mentioned in the user manual, AFAIK.

Quote:

Originally Posted by chocoguy4u

screen wash concentrate 50ml - 11.84
air intake system cleaner - 378.67
carb & injector cleaner - 283.67
injector cleaner - 401.20
polish paper 80 - 15.73
rust off 100 ml - 89.16

throttle body cleaning - 480
fuel injector cleaning - 480

All of this was unnecessary, and you could have specified that this not be done, while dropping the car off for service. If he insists it is part of the service procedure, ask him to show you the literature. AFAIK there is no mention of such procedures in the Baleno manual. In essence, these unnecessary things + VAT add up to around Rs 2500.

kailashnj · 26th February 2009, 19:03

Hi Guys,

Even when I did the 40000kms service, I paid a bill that was around 5500 as I did not go for Pad replacement, but I got oil change done from Maruti and they also added Engine Oil additive for which they charged me Rs400. I had asked them for engine flush and I gave them the OWS engine flush, but they said it was not necessary. Also I was asked to get the spark plugs changed and that would mean 150 per spark plug from NGK. But since those plugs were not available, they did not change. When asked, I was told that the plugs are not available and hence they have not changed and was also told that my car's plugs are good enough for another 10000 kms. In that case why did they want to change it in first place.

That is a rip off from Maruti.

Regards,
Kailash

spetnaz · 26th February 2009, 19:10

I think a lot varies from a service center to another. I think I paid 5000 odd for a 55K service for my M800 and in one service center (ABT, Adyar) and that's AFTER I said no to a clutch overall that was supposed to cost Rs. 5500 more. I somehow had this feeling that they are doing service that's not really needed.

My solution: I found Service Masters, a Maruti's own service center. The service is very reasonable and is cheap, at least until now.

Find another service center! It's great that we have competition!

d_himan · 26th February 2009, 20:14

chocoguy4u,

i almost got ripped off by Sai Service, Andheri (~9k quotation for 20K regular Swift Servicing - got it halted mid-way. This didn't include brake pad replacement which came to light later). Basic servicing + injector cleaning + Front Pad+Disc replacement (i had a premature wear brake pad which damaged the disc (fyi ~rs.200) since I ignored the noise for too long) + brake adjustment + clutch adjustment + front wiper blade replacement costed me around 6.5K.

Made a complaint in the feedback form of Sai Service, got a few calls from them asking why. later, the service advisor called me and said 'these are company rates'.

Didn't think of complaining in MUL's website. will do so now.

I then finished rest of the servicing at Patel Motors, Goregaon for extremely reasonable prices. I've found my dream garage in Mumbai at last.

travelwriter · 26th February 2009, 20:29

Does this happen in company owned showrooms also?

sonirohit · 27th February 2009, 10:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by suman

You have to pay VAT on the Material & Service Tax on the Labour

No - the spares/consumables are charged on MRP (which is incl of all taxes), the *** guys would try to add a tax on it most of the time, but if you are vigilant you can question them... and since they know they are wrong they'll reverse the tax on spares.

kailashnj · 27th February 2009, 10:22

Are there any company owned service centres in Mumbai for Maruti ?

NetfreakBombay · 27th February 2009, 11:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by d_himan

I then finished rest of the servicing at Patel Motors, Goregaon for extremely reasonable prices. I've found my dream garage in Mumbai at last.

Where is this garage located?

View Poll Results: Is Maruti Service and Spares getting costlier?
Yes	505	86.03%
No	82	13.97%
Voters: 587. You may not vote on this poll

26th February 2009, 17:24	#16
vasudeva Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Delhi Posts: 2,221 Thanked: 212 Times	Without knowing what wear and tear your car has gone through, difficult to say for sure whether the replacements were justified. I did own Maruti (800 and Zen) from 1995-2003. While service costs were reasonable enough, this is what I had to invariably encounter: 1. some request for some extra work to be done (Fucot, interior, suspension, etc). 2. sticker pasted on the rear window 100% of the time (had to 100% of the time get it removed before leaving). Other than that, no major issues. However, that was till 2003. No subsequent experience.
	() Thanks

26th February 2009, 17:30	#17
neoranjit BHPian Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Chennai Posts: 588 Thanked: 195 Times View My Garage	I have never come across a 11K bill when I had my 56km run Esteem. So, I dont think, its Maruti Service Costs but its the Service Center that would need some scrutiny.
	() Thanks

26th February 2009, 17:35	#18
ankit.jhamb BHPian Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: new delhi Posts: 573 Thanked: Once	the amount you have mentioned is very high.the paid service charges are rs 700 max.the "brakes" service is something you could have avioded. injector cleaning is soething that should be a labour item,dont know why it has been added to the parts list. BTW what was the estimate given to you at the time of handing over the car for service.?
	() Thanks

26th February 2009, 17:43	#19
Hurrycane12 BHPian Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Puttur Posts: 459 Thanked: 56 Times View My Garage	For my last service at 32000 Kms i paid just 3500/- at Mandovi Motors for my Baleno.
	() Thanks

26th February 2009, 18:32	#22
dushmish BHPian Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Mumbai Posts: 418 Thanked: 82 Times View My Garage	Try Spectra Motors in Borivali. Difficult to comment on the costs without knowing service history. If you choose to get done things beyond what is recommended by MUL Service Manual, it does get costly. Lets understand that's were the dealer makes money. Things like, throttle cleaning, wiper washer liquid (its costleir than most shampoos!), and such small things. I try and rationalise the sundry things. It keeps the costs low.
	() Thanks

26th February 2009, 19:03	#24
kailashnj BHPian Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Mumbai Posts: 958 Thanked: 375 Times	Hi Guys, Even when I did the 40000kms service, I paid a bill that was around 5500 as I did not go for Pad replacement, but I got oil change done from Maruti and they also added Engine Oil additive for which they charged me Rs400. I had asked them for engine flush and I gave them the OWS engine flush, but they said it was not necessary. Also I was asked to get the spark plugs changed and that would mean 150 per spark plug from NGK. But since those plugs were not available, they did not change. When asked, I was told that the plugs are not available and hence they have not changed and was also told that my car's plugs are good enough for another 10000 kms. In that case why did they want to change it in first place. That is a rip off from Maruti. Regards, Kailash
	() Thanks

26th February 2009, 19:10	#25
spetnaz BHPian Join Date: May 2007 Location: Chennai Posts: 86 Thanked: 3 Times	I think a lot varies from a service center to another. I think I paid 5000 odd for a 55K service for my M800 and in one service center (ABT, Adyar) and that's AFTER I said no to a clutch overall that was supposed to cost Rs. 5500 more. I somehow had this feeling that they are doing service that's not really needed. My solution: I found Service Masters, a Maruti's own service center. The service is very reasonable and is cheap, at least until now. Find another service center! It's great that we have competition! Last edited by spetnaz : 26th February 2009 at 19:11.
	() Thanks

26th February 2009, 20:14	#26
d_himan BHPian Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Bombay Posts: 862 Thanked: 947 Times	chocoguy4u, i almost got ripped off by Sai Service, Andheri (~9k quotation for 20K regular Swift Servicing - got it halted mid-way. This didn't include brake pad replacement which came to light later). Basic servicing + injector cleaning + Front Pad+Disc replacement (i had a premature wear brake pad which damaged the disc (fyi ~rs.200) since I ignored the noise for too long) + brake adjustment + clutch adjustment + front wiper blade replacement costed me around 6.5K. Made a complaint in the feedback form of Sai Service, got a few calls from them asking why. later, the service advisor called me and said 'these are company rates'. Didn't think of complaining in MUL's website. will do so now. I then finished rest of the servicing at Patel Motors, Goregaon for extremely reasonable prices. I've found my dream garage in Mumbai at last.
	() Thanks

26th February 2009, 20:29	#27
travelwriter BHPian Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 294 Thanked: 115 Times	Does this happen in company owned showrooms also?
	() Thanks

27th February 2009, 10:22	#29
kailashnj BHPian Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Mumbai Posts: 958 Thanked: 375 Times	Are there any company owned service centres in Mumbai for Maruti ?
	() Thanks