For 5 years the local Toyota Main Dealer has serviced my 150,000 mile 2001 Lexus RX300. I took it in with a slipping automatic transmission. He told me the gearbox was scrap, and offered a replacement for £6,000.

I took a second opinion from an independent mechanic who found the gearbox oil filter was blocked. The problem was fixed for £200. He said that this is almost never checked or changed in any make of car.