Toyota service
Toyota service
I would like to suggest that any potential second-hand car
buyers may profit from reading this narrative. It shows that it
is indeed possible to obtain excellent, professional car service
in Indonesia.
In December 1994 I bought a second-hand Great Corolla at the
Toyota Mobil 88 shop on Jl. Simatupang in Cilandak. I had high
expectations since they were apparently the first company in
Indonesia to provide guarantees on all the Toyotas bought through
their dealership.
Recently, on a trip to Merak, the car overheated just in front
of the toll gate in Serang and I had to pull over. Unfortunately,
I was unable to continue my trip to Merak and I was given a lift
to Cilegon by a friendly passerby. I had to leave my car and my
driver behind at the toll gate.
In Cilegon I reported the event to the Toyota garage of PT
Cilegon Tunas Matra, a member of the Tunas Group and to my relief
they immediately understood the problem. They offered me a free
lift to my final destination in Merak and promised to make
arrangements to pick up the car at the toll gate the same
afternoon for further investigation. They made good on their
promise and the car was towed to Cilegon the same afternoon.
After my visit to Merak, I returned to the garage in Cilegon
to find out the extent of the damages.
I was informed that the cylinder head required a complete
overhaul, including the replacement of a gasket, a thermostat and
some other components, hence the car would have to remain in the
garage for at least one week. Back in Jakarta I reported the case
to the Mobil 88 garage, as the guarantee period was still valid.
I was informed that no problems would emerge in view of the
guarantee as long as the car was in an authorized Toyota garage.
This was the case and I was requested to first pay the bill from
the garage in Cilegon.
On April 5, 1995, I was informed that I could pick up my car
in Cilegon as the repairs were completed and the car had passed
the road test satisfactory.
On my way home via the toll road no problems were experienced.
However, just after entering Jakarta, the engine again
overheated. I managed to drive the car to the Mobil 88 garage in
Cilandak, where a new inspection was immediately carried out.
They located the problem -- a disconnected wire.
The moral of the story is that unlike a significant number of
bad service stories in Indonesia, especially in the second-hand
car sector, Mobil 88 is an exception. They kept their promise and
guaranteed their services. The repairs I paid for in Cilegon were
reimbursed by Mobil 88 without any question or problem. In
addition, the garage in Cilegon should be complimented for their
excellent and prompt service.
ING. R.F. JANSSEN
Jakarta