160 Point Certified Inspection -- Do They Cheat?

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Dean Jann - 13 Dec 2007 05:34 GMT

I am not naturally of a suspicious nature, but if I buy a Certified
Pre-owned Toyota, am I entitled to see the 160 point inspection sheet
with the initials of the technician indicating that he actually checked
off on each applicable inspection point?

How do I know it's not just a sales gimmick?

Should I be suspicious if, for example, the battery posts are cruddy
with corrosion?

Are there any documented cases of Toyota dealerships cheating or cutting
corners with the inspection just so they can charge the customer some
extra dollars?

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sharx35 - 13 Dec 2007 06:31 GMT

>I am not naturally of a suspicious nature, but if I buy a Certified
>Pre-owned Toyota, am I entitled to see the 160 point inspection sheet with
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
> corners with the inspection just so they can charge the customer some
> extra dollars?

When I bought my 99 camry CE new, I insisted on getting a copy of the PDI.
After much muttering, and complaining how difficult this would be as the
vehicle was brought in from another dealer 200 miles away (WOW, almost
Tokyo!!!) they did supply it. There was writing on the margin indicating
that the "remote" dealer wanted a freebie lunch from my local dealer because
of the effort required.

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Nobody Important - 13 Dec 2007 18:55 GMT

> I am not naturally of a suspicious nature, but if I buy a Certified
> Pre-owned Toyota, am I entitled to see the 160 point inspection sheet
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
> corners with the inspection just so they can charge the customer some
> extra dollars?

The "certification" is simply a warranty; if you develop problems it's
the dealer's responsibility to fix them (unless he can get out of it
through clauses in the fine print, which happens a lot). It doesn't
mean that much more time was spent on your car than on an uncertified
one, no matter what the glossy brochure says. A lot of those 160 points
are stuff like: has mirrors? check! has tires? check! etc.

--
... "Anyone who is capable of getting themselves made President
should on no account be allowed to do the job."

- Some wisdom from The Book.

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timbirr@mailcity.com - 13 Dec 2007 19:57 GMT

> The "certification" is simply a warranty; if you develop problems it's
> the dealer's responsibility to fix them (unless he can get out of it
> through clauses in the fine print, which happens a lot). It doesn't
> mean that much more time was spent on your car than on an uncertified
> one, no matter what the glossy brochure says. A lot of those 160 points
> are stuff like: has mirrors? check! has tires? check! etc.

The FEW times I have taken my car into the dealer for repair, I think
they do a 160 point inspection, just looking for things they think
they can talk me into having repaired....LOL

EVERY time they want to replace the cabin filter for $54....despite
the fact I check it on a regular basis and can buy an aftermarket
Bosch filter for $24 and spend four minutes replacing it myself....

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mack - 13 Dec 2007 23:30 GMT

>> The "certification" is simply a warranty; if you develop problems it's
>> the dealer's responsibility to fix them (unless he can get out of it
[quoted text clipped - 10 lines]
> the fact I check it on a regular basis and can buy an aftermarket
> Bosch filter for $24 and spend four minutes replacing it myself....

$24 or $54? Nae, laddie, this frugal Scot found the cabin filter, washed
it, dried it and put it back in place free for nothing gratis. (and it was
pretty clean to start with, because I don't travel the dirt roads.)

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spswanson@gmail.com - 13 Dec 2007 23:55 GMT

> <timb...@mailcity.com> wrote in message
>
[quoted text clipped - 18 lines]
> it, dried it and put it back in place free for nothing gratis. (and it was
> pretty clean to start with, because I don't travel the dirt roads.)

I live out in the woods and the mice tend to like to make their nests
on top of them....and chew holes in them...and abandon dead baby mice
on them.....

So, I tend to replace, them...tho. at times I have used duct tape to
patch the rips if there were no dead babies and the holes are not too
extensive

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mack - 13 Dec 2007 23:34 GMT

>> I am not naturally of a suspicious nature, but if I buy a Certified
>> Pre-owned Toyota, am I entitled to see the 160 point inspection sheet
[quoted text clipped - 16 lines]
> what the glossy brochure says. A lot of those 160 points are stuff like:
> has mirrors? check! has tires? check! etc.

It's a little like the many things that Toyota (and other cars') dealers do
in these periodic maintenance inspections...like tightening the door hinges.
Funny, but in over 25 cars that I've owned, I've never had one where the
door was in any danger of falling off.

A lot of this stuff is eyewash, pure and simple. But God forbid that they
should find something that does (or might) need replacing, because you'll
find yourself a paraplegic, because they'll charge an arm and a leg.

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johngdole@hotmail.com - 14 Dec 2007 02:26 GMT

Do you notice how nicely the check marks line up on the inspection
sheet? They might as well draw a straight line down. It first started
as a marketing thing. Check the tires -- that's a 4 point inspection.
Wipers -- that's 2 points. All windows are there -- 6 point
inspection, etc etc.

I just don't think a dealer will buy any used car without doing a
minimum check. So the point is moot. But like the others said, if you
have to pay a higher price, then they should give you a better
warranty. So "certified used" is like saying you'll pay more for extra
warranty. I personally don't think the tech will spend the time to
actually check all 160 points, even when you take it in for normal
maintenance.

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