Author Topic: What is a reasonable cost for a 30,000 mile maintenance check-up?  (Read 10451 times)

Bookworm

  • Guest
It's coming up very soon for my 2014 Sonata. I assume taking it to the dealer is the most expensive option (and probably least convenient), but I'm not sure what to expect as far as cost. Maybe I should call the dealer and ask for a price, and then consider places that will charge half or 60% of that? Your experiences are welcome...I'm kind of in the dark here. I don't want to be taken advantage of.

MsPeacock

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 1571
  • Location: High COL
Re: What is a reasonable cost for a 30,000 mile maintenance check-up?
« Reply #1 on: June 24, 2015, 05:30:08 AM »
What are the things that your car needs to have done at the 30k check-up? (I don't know if it is the same for every car.)

use2betrix

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 2492
Re: What is a reasonable cost for a 30,000 mile maintenance check-up?
« Reply #2 on: June 24, 2015, 06:54:46 AM »
Just know that if you don't follow the required maintenance intervals in the manual, you are likely to void the warranty.

Look in your manual, see what's required, and call around and get estimates.

cripzychiken

  • Stubble
  • **
  • Posts: 194
  • Location: Central Florida
Re: What is a reasonable cost for a 30,000 mile maintenance check-up?
« Reply #3 on: June 24, 2015, 07:11:25 AM »
Found a quick list from a dealer:

http://myhyundai.automaxhyundainorman-ok.com/norman-service-schedules/2014-hyundai-service-schedules/2014-hyundai-sonata-service-schedules/


Air Filter - you can easily DIY, it takes a couple of seconds once you locate where it goes.  I'm sure a place like AutoZone or similar would probably either install it or show you how to if you ask and they aren't that busy or just YouTube it. Cost - $15-20

Climate Control Air filter (A/C filter) - YouTube this, tends to be an easy change, but might be a bit hard to find.  Mine is behind my glove box.  This is a DIY fix.  Cost - $15-20

"Inspect Everything" - this should be at most 30min or inspection.  Shops around here charge me ~$80/hr, so $40.  Tends to be free if they find an issue and you get it fixed from them.  Some will do this for free/cheaper if you also do the oil change with them (since the car will already be up and easier to inspect) so just ask. Cost - $40 or less

Oil and Tires - this is a normal item.  Either DIY if you can or just ask for a tire rotation at your next oil change. Cost - normal oil change (look for coupons!)

Not on the list - wiper blades - I personally replace these when I replace the air filter.  Another $15-20 (for mid-tier blades).  Once again either install yourself or ask an AutoZone guy to do it for you.

My advice - replace the 2 air filters and wipers yourself first (they are easy).  Call around and ask for an oil change, tire rotation, and 30k mile inspection.  If they say anything about the air filters or wiper blades needing to be replaced - question everything they tell you and ask them to show/prove to you why something needs to be done. 

Last thing - keep all receipts for everything.  The Walmart receipt where you bought the filter - keep it, any inspection reports - keep them.  Never hurts to have this info - plus if you private sell your car in 8-10 years, these records show the car was maintained and you can get a better price for it.  I have a ziplock bag in my glovebox where I keep all these.
« Last Edit: June 24, 2015, 07:23:53 AM by cripzychiken »

Exflyboy

  • Walrus Stache
  • *******
  • Posts: 8401
  • Age: 62
  • Location: Corvallis, Oregon
  • Expat Brit living in the New World..:)
Re: What is a reasonable cost for a 30,000 mile maintenance check-up?
« Reply #4 on: June 24, 2015, 10:09:00 AM »
The one and only time I bought a new car I went through the warranty with a fine tooth comb.. Reason being is that I had absolutely NO intention of paying anybody to do anything.

Sure enough it specifically said that home maintenance was OK.. I kept all the receipts of course.

The car needed a few things during the warranty period and they did not question my maintenance records.

So I managed to maintain my gloat that "I have NEVER taken a car to a mechanic for any reason".. Except tire alignments for which I use the Firestone lifetime deal.

use2betrix

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 2492
Re: What is a reasonable cost for a 30,000 mile maintenance check-up?
« Reply #5 on: June 24, 2015, 01:48:20 PM »
The one and only time I bought a new car I went through the warranty with a fine tooth comb.. Reason being is that I had absolutely NO intention of paying anybody to do anything.

Sure enough it specifically said that home maintenance was OK.. I kept all the receipts of course.

The car needed a few things during the warranty period and they did not question my maintenance records.

So I managed to maintain my gloat that "I have NEVER taken a car to a mechanic for any reason".. Except tire alignments for which I use the Firestone lifetime deal.

If they repaired stuff under warranty you can't really say you've never had a mechanic fix your car lol.

Late_Bloomer

  • 5 O'Clock Shadow
  • *
  • Posts: 95
  • Age: 50
  • Location: Texas
  • Counting every penny.
Re: What is a reasonable cost for a 30,000 mile maintenance check-up?
« Reply #6 on: June 24, 2015, 02:53:36 PM »
Last time I took a vehicle in for one of those inspections they charged me 500.00 and outside of the oil change and tire rotation, nothing else was wrong or needed replaced/fixed. Now I do all my own maintenance outside of tearing the engine apart.

Dee18

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 2209
Re: What is a reasonable cost for a 30,000 mile maintenance check-up?
« Reply #7 on: June 24, 2015, 04:48:13 PM »
At both the dealer and a mechanic I like, the maintenance packages based on mileage are way more expensive the individual items you actually need.  I was shocked when I realized the $70 dealer charged for installing a new cabin filter was basically opening the glove compartment, popping out the old filter, and popping in the new one that cost $17.  It's easier than changing the bag in my vacuum cleaner.  I do the easy stuff myself, but even for the items I'm not going to do myself I check on Google or youtube is I know what is really involved...makes it easy to estimate yourself what a fair price is.