Conflicting information exists regarding new car warranties and servicing.
At Express Auto Inspections, we encounter many customers who are unclear on whether or not independent mechanics can do the same job as dealership servicing.
Can you take your car to an independent mechanic without voiding your new car warranty?
What are the conditions around this?
This blog post will answer all of your questions.
Do I have to use the dealer to maintain my warranty?
By law, manufacturers and dealers cannot determine where you get your car serviced.
This means that the manufacturer cannot void your warranty simply because you had your car serviced elsewhere – provided the mechanic was fully licensed as we are at EAI.
When must I go to the dealership?
The only instance in which you may be required to take your car to the manufacturer is for repairs covered under warranty – i.e. the repairs you don’t pay for. This makes sense when you consider that the manufacturer is paying for the work: it is logical that they do it themselves.
If your manufacturer does allow warranty repairs off-site, make sure you obtain written permission first. There’s no use going back with a receipt after the repair has been done!
When it comes to servicing and other general repairs, you are within your rights to seek the services of a qualified mechanic without jeopardising your new car warranty.
What can void my warranty?
As a vehicle owner, you have a responsibility to maintain your car according to the manufacturer guidelines.
For instance, if you fail to replace a part that is due for a change, the manufacturer has the right to refuse to cover any damage caused by your negligence. For this reason, it is vital that you have your car serviced on time to the manufacturer’s recommendations in your logbook: whether you choose to go to an independent mechanic or a dealer.
Is there a price difference between dealership and independent servicing?
Dealership and independent workshops are usually mismatched price wise. Often, independent workshops will be cheaper than a dealer.
Why? Read on…
Labour Rates
Dealership service departments have massive overhead costs that are often reflected by their hourly rate. Usually, the labour cost for the same service will be significantly less at an independent mechanic.
However, one advantage that dealers over independent mechanics is access to the latest scan technology. Every vehicle uses as computer that shows up faults when something is going wrong in your car. While independent workshops use standard scan tools, it makes sense that the newest technology released by manufacturers will go into the hands of the dealers first.
Genuine vs Non Genuine Parts
Dealerships only use parts made by the linked manufacturer. By comparison, when you go to an independent mechanic, you have the option to use genuine or non-genuine service parts.
While genuine parts are usually more expensive than non-genuine parts, they come with peace of mind in that your manufacturer is guaranteed to honour your warranty.