The Vios is the quintessential sedan in the country. It is so ubiquitous you probably must have lived on Mars for two decades and just got home yesterday if you don't know what it looks like.

It is used as a private car, as a taxi cab,  as a TNVS car, and even as a company car. Fleet purchases have made the Vios garden variety since its introduction in 2002. Recently, it has even been given a Gazoo Racing badge to hype its sporting credentials. And it even features its own racing series, the Vios Cup.  Anywhere in the country, there is a Vios, and this is a testament to Toyota's renowned reliability.

Some people, however, don't even bother getting the Vios because it's too common. Not to be a snob, but it can really be quite confusing in a covered parking lot at night where there's a Vios in every slot.

Making it even more appealing to the car masses, Toyota has made sure to have its reasonably priced car have an equally reasonably priced cost of maintenance. Fun fact: Vios owners say that there are too many spare parts for the car, you can even buy them at the local drugstore. Nah, that was actually a joke. But you get the picture.

Its ubiquity hasn't deterred Vios owners from heading out to the casa to start looking for alternatives, however. Given the Vios' sheer numbers on the road, there are already many mechanics who claim to have worked on one. People have learned to go to them instead of the casa not only for repairs but also for preventive maintenance. But how much does it actually cost to maintain a Toyota Vios? Should the cost of casa maintenance scare Vios owners away?

According to Toyota's own information, having your Vios maintained at the Casa is actually very affordable. Here's the thing. A regular Preventive Maintenance Service (PMS) check-up with oil change can be paid for with vouchers. So the cost of the 1,000-km, 5,000-km, up to 20,000-km PMS fees will likely be waived.

Others who take their business to the bank first before heading to the dealership are still given concessions up to the 10,000-km PMS. But in cases like this, it is only the labor cost for PMS that is made free. All other purchases are charged like the cost of oil and the oil filter. Then there are those who pay for PMS visits from day one. It really depends on the deal you strike with your sales agent.

While some Vios owners say that the casa charges are too high, I think it all boils down to just being smart with your deal. Know your car and plan for its maintenance needs. You can actually get some of the fees waived like nitrogen tire inflation, an engine flush at 5,000 kilometers, or having your air conditioning system cleaned and under chassis bolts tightened at 10,000 km.

Service advisors will upsell to make extra profit for the dealership. That's normal. And that is why you should also know your car's servicing needs even before you book a PMS schedule. Reading through the owner's manual will help you know what parts need to be inspected or replaced and at what intervals.

Heck, others stick to the every-5000 km oil and filter change routine while having the AC cleaned only once a year, and their Vios still managed to drive trouble-free over long distances. Car sympathy likewise plays an important part in your car's longevity.

Yes, it is cheaper to have your Vios maintained outside the casa.  Just find an established service center or shop, or a trusted mechanic, to service your car religiously. Just remember not to skimp on your PMS, wherever you have it done. It can spell the difference between long trouble-free rides and stalling by the roadside. Or worse, a nasty accident.

Also Read: 2022 Toyota Vios - An Affordable Price for Sedan