We just bought a new Toyota Rav4 at Ochoa in Santiago. They tell us that in order to keep the warranty in effect we need to have all of our service, including oil changes, done by them.
That is not the case in the US. The warranty is from Toyota, not the dealer, so why should that be the case in the DR?
We live in Sosua, so it seems crazy to drive to Santiago for an oil change. Please enlighten me.
Thanks - D
First, forget about the USA here, this is the DR, even if you'd happen to be an American tax paying citizen and have bought a US brand vehicle at the local "official" dealership, like SD Motors, this is still 100% the DR. And this does not only apply to vehicles.
The deal is, that here, I doubt that it really is Toyota that assumes the risk of warranty. I suspect it may indeed be the dealer (they might have a deal for big issues... I don't know). They import vehicles (even same model) from sources all around the world, like Japan, Argentina, Brazil (parts) and Thailand.
Ochoa is NOT listed as an official dealer. They are a large importer. Delta Comercial does appear on some Toyota records but not as an A-Dealer... only as an importer. So, if they assume the risk (built into the sale price) I would understand that they would a) like to see the business from the servicing, and b) not have to repair or replace parts when they can not be sure the vehicle has been serviced correctly when all the customer can produce is some kind of shady receipt from his cousin's tune'n'lube outfit.
At Ochoa and Delta, vehicles get scanned in (they have a bar code sticker) so THEY can keep up the records of maintenance.
Some small dealers in SD and STI now offer Toyota and other main Japan brand vehicles with warranties like the "big ones". If you consider dealing with them (as they tend to offer exotic versions), make very certain these dealers are NOT the ones giving the warranty and when they want to make you believe if it (for the sake of the Toyota example) is Delta Comercial SxA which assumes the risk and thus would do all servicing, HAVE THE VEHICLE CHECKED (scanned in) BY DELTA
IN YOUR PRESENCE AND GIVE YOU WRITTEN CONFIRMATION THAT THEY INDEED HONOR THE WARRANTY TO YOU THE END USER
B E F O R E YOU ENTER CONTRACT OR HAND OVER ANY MONIES! And then make sure the vehicle you are buying really is the one Toyota has certified you warranty coverage for! Everything else is BS. The same applies when you buy a used vehicle which may still have "manufacturers" (dealer) warranty... have it checked and scanned in by the main dealer (this may give a better idea on the actual mileage too).
I might add, that I have been very satisfied with Delta's service and warranty coverage (which is the biggest on in the country at 3 years/100'000 km). Reason why my replacement vehicle I bought yesterday, was a Toyota from Delta.
... J-D.