Ever wondered how to service your car without voiding your new car warranty? Understanding the requirements set by the car manufacturer is crucial for maintaining the warranty.
Well, you’re not alone. Many car owners grapple with this topic, often confronted with a maze of warranties, dealership services, and independent mechanics. But fear not, we’ll shed light on this complex issue and guide you on how to service your car without voiding your new car warranty, helping you navigate the world of car servicing without any worries.
Understanding Your New Car Warranty
When you purchase a new car, there are two distinct warranties that come with it – the legally-binding statutory warranty and one provided by the manufacturer. You should be aware of these because they will affect how your vehicle is serviced going forward. Servicing done at any other facility than a dealership may still count towards preserving both types of warranties so long as competent personnel provide service following all specifications set out by the original equipment producer and genuine quality parts are used where applicable.
This might differ slightly depending on whether or not the dealer has extra plans in place for their cars’ aftermarket services outside of what was initially offered to purchasers directly from manufacturers themselves. It must also be noted that failure to meet supplier standards or using subpar components could invalidate either particular warranty potentially leaving you liable if anything arises down the line due to improper servicing procedures. The manufacturer's warranty states that while specific requirements must be met, it cannot compel vehicle servicing exclusively at authorized dealers to maintain the warranty.
Statutory Warranties
Under the Australian Consumer Law, statutory warranties are obligations mandated by the Motor Vehicle Dealers Act, which exclusively covers used vehicles purchased from licensed dealers. The statutory warranty applies solely to cars priced at $4,000 or higher and motorcycles priced at $3,500 or higher, with added restrictions on age and the number of kilometres travelled at the time of sale. These kinds of warranties typically cover a period of 3 months from purchase date or 5000 kilometers travelled, whichever happens first. Consumer guarantees under Australian Consumer Law ensure that only appropriate quality parts are used for repairs or replacements.
For example, issues like faulty airbags, brakes, and oil leaks in gearboxes, along with serious structural rust can be enforced through these guarantees given by law protecting customers’ interests.
Manufacturer Warranties
Manufacturers of new cars provide a manufacturer's new car warranty for a minimum period ranging from three to ten years, with some brands also offering a limitless number of kilomtres travelled during that period. This will cover you for the cost to repair or rectify mechanical or design defects and typically covers the car and any accessories fitted in the factory or by the dealership. It’s important to note that a car warranty does not cover accidental damage, normal wear and tear, or routine services and maintenance. These guarantees can include services conducted by external repairers and both the owner and mechanic should be aware of any relevant conditions that apply under warranty regulations. Nevertheless, if it is identified as an issue covered by said warranty, then work relating to replacement or repairs must usually take place at the dealership – although manufacturers have some leeway in allowing another workshop sanctioned on their behalf to perform such tasks instead.
Choosing the Right Mechanic
Preserving your warranty is an important consideration when deciding where to get your car serviced. According to Australian Consumer Law, there’s no obligation for you to have your car serviced by a car dealership during the standard factory warranty period. While the car is under warranty (and at any time after) you have the right to have the vehicle serviced by an independent repairer without voiding your warranty. However, the work must be done using appropriate quality parts, trained technicians and according to the timings outlined in the vehicle’s service schedule. These conditions can usually be found in the vehicle’s service logbook. It should be noted that while there are no mandated certifications required for mechanics to work on new cars under the guarantee, they must possess necessary qualifications and authorisations in States and Territories where these regulations apply to prevent nullifying the warranty.
To ensure adherence with regards to upholding warranties, certified mechanics can take certain measures such as making use of correct parts, oils and lubricants specific to that car’s make or model.
Certified Mechanics
The advantage of hiring certified mechanics is that they possess the qualifications and certifications required in States and Territories with such regulations. Certified mechanics must adhere to the manufacturer's specifications to ensure the warranty remains intact. Mechanics must have a Certificate III or IV in related fields, along with three years’ experience post-qualification to be certified. Provided these conditions are met, regardless of where you choose to get your car serviced, your warranty will remain intact. So shop around.
Finding a Trusted Mechanic
To find a reliable mechanic, several elements come into play. These include the shop’s reputation and price of services. Its warranties offered, experience level in their field, as well as how they treat customers. It is necessary to check that the mechanics hold all needed licenses and certifications for assurance of reliability.
Fortunately there are various reliable review sites available online which provide people with feedback from previous patrons, so you can make an educated decision on your potential choice, some popular ones being ProductReview.com., AutoMD, DriverSide, CarWise or Mechanic Advisor. Each offer ratings and reviews making sure you get full access when seeking trustworthy service options!
Navigating Aftermarket Parts and Genuine Parts
When it comes to car servicing and warranties, the usage of genuine parts versus non-genuine ones can be contentious. Genuine parts are often manufactured by licensed third parties for car manufacturers. According to ACCC’s advice, a vehicle’s manufacturer warranty won’t be voided if quality non-genuine parts are employed in service. These components are not covered by said guarantee should they prove unsatisfactory or fail. Even so, Australian Consumer Law protects customers from faulty aftermarket products – meaning those buying such items have rights against manufacturers as well as fitters through applicable supplier warranties.
OEM Specifications
The focus now turns to OEM specifications, otherwise known as manufacturer’s standards. During vehicle design and engineering, these specific measurements were established by the automaker regarding quality of material, fitting details and finishing elements in order for aftermarket parts to match or even exceed their original counterparts, resulting in a longer lifespan for that particular machinery while keeping up its standard integrity.
Acceptable Quality Parts
When it comes to car servicing, utilising parts of good quality is essential in order to keep the warranty from the manufacturer or importer intact. The manufacturer's warranty states that using acceptable quality parts is essential to maintain the warranty. To check if these components meet acceptable standards, there are various tests and criteria laid out by motor brands policies, as well as Australian Consumer Law, that one should refer to. Fortunately, standard levels of acceptability will be protected under any kind of guarantee given on behalf of a repairer during repair works or servicing. Be wary that some accessories fitted after the vehicle leaves the showroom may void the warranty.
Aftermarket parts or modifications
The term "Misuse of the vehicle" can be interpreted in broad ways, and can include activities such as street racing, competitive driving events, overloading the vehicle, or driving off-road. Potentially, anything outside of the typical operation of the vehicle can be considered misuse. Many automakers will deny a claim for a part that failed, while some can void your entire warranty in more severe cases. When it comes to modifications or the use of aftermarket parts or accessories, this aspect of warranty coverage can be related to "misuse of the vehicle" and also has a large gray area. Although some dealership service managers would have you think otherwise, simply having an aftermarket part or modifying your vehicle cannot void your entire warranty.
Logbook Maintenance and Documentation
The ACCC has stated that an independent repairer can sign or stamp the necessary page of a car’s service logbook without voiding its warranty, provided that the repairer is qualified, follows the manufacturer's requirements, and uses products that meet the original specification. If logbook servicing is done incorrectly or not documented accurately, it may raise concerns about how thorough servicing was performed. Thus threatening potential future sales price for your car.
Logbook Stamping and Signing
The process of logbook stamping and signing is essential to keep the warranty on a vehicle up-to-date, as well as increasing its resale value. The main difference between a logbook service and a normal service is that logbook services follow the exact procedures outlined in the logbook, which is important if your car is under warranty. A normal service involves many of the procedures included in a logbook service but doesn’t necessarily stick to the manufacture’s guidelines as if it were a bible.
Record Keeping
It is necessary to keep a detailed record of car servicing in order to ensure protection for your warranty and improve the vehicle’s resale value. This documentation proves that routine maintenance and repairs have been completed correctly, which can be used when filing any kind of warranty claim. To maintain up-to-date records efficiently, use memo books or digitally store all relevant information such as mileage, dates, receipts and other important details related to the car service history.
Software Updates and Independent Mechanics
For modern cars, software updates have become an essential part of servicing. These enhancements can affect the durability and performance of engine parts, transmission fluidity, fuel efficiency, and driving dynamics. They also enable greater security by patching vulnerabilities in outdated systems. Despite this, dealers may recommend against using independent mechanics for software related tasks, which is not always necessary given that many professional garages are able to download all relevant OEM resources online in order to provide efficient car servicing including critical updates.
Dealership vs. Independent Mechanics
The Competition and Consumer Act may raise concerns if a manufacturer's warranty states that the vehicle can only be serviced by an authorised dealer. Car owners have the freedom to choose a mechanic that they feel best suits their needs, regardless of dealerships trying to enforce otherwise. This includes having an independent technician service one’s car – with no risk being taken by either party involved due to this decision. These mechanics can manage software updates and ensure better engine performance as well as more efficient fuel consumption while providing enhanced emissions control for smoother driving dynamics and optimisation of your vehicle’s computer system capabilities.
Accessing Software Updates
The right to repair laws in Australia enable independent mechanics with the necessary diagnostic equipment and updated software programs to execute car software updates. Though convenient, this may carry risks. Potential bugs resulting from installation are a real possibility. Not staying up-to-date with such revisions could impact any applicable warranties for cars - especially extended warranties - and lead them to be voided altogether.
Extended Warranties and Car Servicing
Extended warranties can give an extra layer of protection for your vehicle once the manufacturer’s warranty has expired. These types of coverage are optional and not necessarily required to purchase. It is important, though, that you understand all available options before making a decision regarding extended warranty plans. This includes aftermarket warranties, bumper-to-bumper guarantees, component requirements and powertrain assurances.
When looking into extending the life span of your car with these kinds of arrangements it is vital to keep in mind which type suits best according to your needs: be it based on parts or full system coverage.
Dealer-Provided Extended Warranties
Dealers can offer customers extended warranties for their vehicles to add an additional layer of protection once the manufacturer’s warranty has expired. These warranties include coverage from defects and repair work, usually with a time limit or mileage restriction attached. Unfortunately, these dealer-provided plans do not always give permission for non-dealership workshops to conduct servicing during this period – meaning you may have no choice but to use the dealership itself throughout your vehicle’s warranty timeframe.
Third-Party Extended Warranties
Extended warranties, provided by organisations unaffiliated with carmakers, offer a higher degree of versatility when it comes to vehicle servicing. These offers supply owners the opportunity to pay for repairs and maintenance after their factory warranty has expired while providing supplementary benefits too. Customers who purchase these extended warranties are able to pick any garage they feel is more suitable instead of being restricted to dealerships ones like traditional warranties provide.
Cost Comparisons
The cost of servicing your car at dealerships is often higher than independent workshops, largely because the overhead and operational expenses associated with dealer operations tend to be expensive. Dealerships rely on car sales to build customer relationships and generate future revenue streams, including aftermarket accessories, dealership finance and insurance, and car servicing throughout the life of the vehicle. Customers who go through an independent workshop may benefit from lower labour rates and parts mark-ups in conjunction with a vehicle’s warranty period, which could mean substantial savings for them. On the other hand, both dealership services and those provided by independents offer valuable assistance depending on individual needs or circumstances.
Dealership Service Costs
At a dealership, service prices can span from around $200 to nearly four hundred dollars. This is largely due to the cost of OEM parts, administration charges charged by dealerships and comparatively higher labour costs compared with independent mechanics, meaning you may end up paying more for an equivalent job. From minor to major services, these expenses are covered.
Independent Workshop Service Costs
The service costs of independent workshops can vary, depending on the required work needing to be done at the time of servicing. Such factors as type and model of car, specialist skill levels, location of repair shop or if a towing service is needed will also have an influence on final pricing. Typically logbook services would range from $350-650 while minor maintenance costs around $200-$300. It’s good practice for regular check-ups too!
Australian Consumer Law and Your Rights
The Australian Consumer Law creates a common level of protection for cars through consumer guarantees, regardless of any additional warranties offered by the vehicle manufacturer. This gives buyers the right to select which service centre they use and at what price, as long as availability is not an issue in obtaining necessary parts or repairs within a reasonable time frame. In cases where genuine components are rejected due to non-dealership servicing or unsuitable spare parts on warranty claims, consumers can bring their case up with the ACCC - The Australian Competition & Consumer Commission.
Right to Choose
According to the Consumer Act, consumers are allowed to select an independent repairer without voiding their warranty. This right offers customers greater flexibility in finding a mechanic that suits both their needs and budget while avoiding dealership warranties’ limitations.
The Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association also works for this cause by ensuring access to motor vehicle service and repair data is available at reasonable cost so car owners can pick who they prefer as service provider, encouraging competition in the industry while defending consumer rights.
Reporting Misinformation
When it comes to car warranties and services, any incorrect information should be reported promptly to the dealership involved. Should the problem not be addressed adequately, escalating your concern is advised – contact a consumer protection agency in your area for assistance with claims related to dealerships or small disputes. Australia has multiple authorities offering help with such issues. Individuals can reach out to their relevant state consumer protection body if needed.
Summary
Making an informed decision about servicing your car is crucial to maintaining its warranty. Ensure you are knowledgeable about your car’s warranty terms, the differences between aftermarket and genuine parts, and the importance of software updates. Additionally, consider any extended warranties available. Familiarise yourself with your rights under Australian Consumer Law when choosing between dealership and independent workshop servicing. These factors will help you find the best service option that meets your needs and budget without compromising the protection of your vehicle's warranty.
At Westside Auto Service, we prioritise your vehicle's longevity and warranty protection. Visit our dealership for expert servicing that ensures your car remains in top condition without voiding its warranty. Our knowledgeable team is here to provide you with quality parts, necessary software updates, and comprehensive warranty information. Trust Westside Auto for all your car servicing needs and experience peace of mind on the road. Contact us today on (08) 6145 0055 or visit our service and repairs page to schedule your service appointment!
