He has his car towed to the dealer. No, you don't need to get your car serviced at the dealership to keep your manufacturer's warranty intact. Car manufacturers offer a warranty on their vehicles for a set period of time from new. This is a common question new Mercedes car owners have and one we get asked often. probably wondering what the direct warranty provider bit is above. Ask the garage for a courtesy car until the work is completed; Take your own car back and use it, if it’s still roadworthy, until the garage is in a position to complete the repair; Get the car repaired by someone else, if it can be taken away safely, and claim compensation from the original garage. The best cars and best deals delivered to your inbox, By subscribing, you agree to our privacy policy, Pre-qualify for a car loan with no credit score impact. dealer, or another company. If you decide to take your car off-road, ensure that it has a 4x4 system installed suitable for the terrain and check your warranty small print for what is covered if your car was to be damaged. handling any customer service issues that arise. "To maintain your warranty, you do not have to have your vehicle maintained at an authorized dealer," says George Moffat, manager of warranty and … Disclaimer: A Vehicle Service Contract (VSC) is often referred to as an “auto warranty” or an “extended car warranty,” but it is not a warranty. Can I buy my own car warranty? vehicle service contract is not a warranty as defined by Federal law, so it According to the Magnuson-Moss Warranty act, which is enforced by the Federal Trade Commission, it’s illegal for manufacturers or dealers to void your warranty or deny you coverage because you performed the work yourself. Use the fluid the carmaker specifies in your car to keep your warranty intact. Protect My Car, on the other hand, has a Keep all receipts on any maintenance work done at facilities other than the dealership while your car is under warranty. range of lower-cost plans to help cover the cost of repair. The Magnuson-Moss Warranty act makes it illegal for any company to party service contract companies are generally what are associated with the Your warranty cannot be used as leverage to compel you to get the car serviced at the dealership. Of course, it would be easy if things were exactly that simple, but they’re not. This includes oil changes, tire rotations, belt replacement, new brake pads, and inspections. than what you’re paying right now. The answer is NO. You may hear these called bumper-to-bumper warranties or This means that just because you use your local shop to do oil changes, tire rotations, and other maintenance you can't have a warranty claim denied. For example, if you get an oil change performed at an independent shop while your car is still under warranty, be sure to save the receipts. manufacturer warranty doesn’t cover things like: If what you plan to work on falls outside these exclusions, it’s If you own a vehicle and a phone, you may receive calls from scammers posing as representatives of a car dealer, manufacturer or insurer telling you that your auto warranty or insurance is about to expire. Copyright 2017-2021 by Protect My Car, All Rights Reserved. Secondly, you need to consider if you have the capability, the tools and a suitable location to carry out your servicing. Toyota UK says: 3 October 2019 at 17:18. doesn’t have to comply with the Magnuson-Moss warranty act. First, no matter what your dealership service consultant might tell you, no automaker will automatically void any portion of their guarantees just because someone decided to … warranty. Find a new car for sale near you. It’s an documentation may be required if you make a claim in the future. Failure to do so can invalidate the warranty, as can fitting non-standard parts. These calls may be automated calls from a computer system, or they may be from live sales people. You should also Why isn't clutch failure covered by the warranty? How Do You Service an Exotic Car That’s Never Driven? There are a few different in the eyes of the law. A direct warranty Keep all service records and receipts, regardless of who performs the service. By law, automakers and dealerships are not allowed to make you perform regular maintenance at a dealership for a new-car warranty to remain valid. The term “warranty” or “extended warranty” is often used as a Electric trucks are coming and some are less than a year away. A Renault spokesperson told us that a delayed service wouldn’t automatically invalidate an owner’s warranty. when you deal with a reputable company like us, you’ll be taken care of. A warranty is valid only if a car has been properly taken care of. You can get your car repaired with total peace of mind with certain garages. Although commonly called “extended warranties” a Depending on the policy of the selling garage, used cars are sometimes sold with a warranty as part of the deal. mind. years in this business, everyone will tell you that choosing a direct warranty It is important to keep up with your car’s recommended maintenance schedule to keep your car in excellent condition. Typically, your Car manufacturers produce a great deal of corporate spin that comes pretty close to implying your warranty is lost if you cheat on them with an unauthorized service. The owner of the shop would obtain a mechanic's lien, provided they comply with any applicable laws requiring estimates. Whether you have a new car or you’re buying an extended warranty for a used car, there is a level of coverage suited just for you. A lien is a legal claim for property that has been improved or otherwise serviced. repair it and just take it to the shop instead. No, servicing can be carried out by a non-Hyundai Dealership, however the warranty conditions are that you have your car serviced and repaired to the required schedules and standards set by Hyundai Motor UK Ltd, and parts of an equivalent quality must be used. A VSC does, however, provide repair coverage for your vehicle after the manufacturer’s car warranty has expired. Create a file to keep track of repairs; it will come in handy if you have to use your warranty. The average used car warranty cost is between $1,000 and $1,500, and a CARCHEX specialist can work with you to find the most competitive pricing. As a result, we suggest you document everything. It promises to take care of any applicable repairs, provided that you maintain the vehicle to proper expectations. Or is the 5 year warranty still valid without servicing? everything is handled in house. Direct providers The car must be wholly serviced by KIA dealer to KIA standards. Is time running out on your lease? Protect My Car does not offer or sell Vehicle Service Contracts in AK, CA, HI, MO, OK, or WA. rest of your car, according to the Federal Trade Commission. The warranty must be included in Fortunately, It's easy, just do the following and get the right kit before you start. Buying a car from out of state may be easier than you think. Hope this helpes. Every oil change and tyre rotation is another check that the dealership will receive from the Car manufacturer. Having your car serviced on time and at an approved garage is an important part of keeping your warranty valid. You’ll avoid getting a run around from claims that’s not associated with your manufacturer. So follow the guide if you need a bit of advice. As long as the car was serviced to KIA standards using KIA specified liquids and parts and the servicing garage could prove this by its parts invoices, then the first 3 years warranty could probably be enforced, but not the remaining 4 years which depend on the car being properly serviced and all TSBs duly carried out. In order to keep your car's warranty valid, your car will need to be serviced using approved parts. That way, if there’s ever a question or a problem, no dealership or automaker can ever assert that you didn’t perform the maintenance required to keep your warranty valid. Claims take longer to get paid, and we’ve seen prices that are These mechanics often receive specialized training. potentially expensive fee each month. you’re going to spend more money buying the part and fixing it yourself then These are the best deals on trucks for the month of January. Just be sure to keep your oil change receipts in case you have to prove the oil was in fact changed. Find the information in your owner’s manual under the maintenance or service sections. vehicle service contract, we can get a little bit deeper. They may try to talk you out of it and get you to come in, don't get suck into that. With a third-party warranty, you typically have to pay for your services up front and submit the receipts for reimbursement later. You can service your own car and keep the warranty. Step 2: Keep your service records and receipts for all services. An extended warranty — also known as a vehicle service contract — is an optional plan you can buy to help you pay for the cost of certain repairs your vehicle may need while you own it. You can find out which one is needed by checking your car’s handbook or contacting the service department with your car’s registration, age and mileage. Conversely, if your car is relatively old and you plan on keeping it for many years the value will be much less affected by service history, so you can get stuck in. You must address this with your selling dealer as soon as possible. Always make sure you keep your service schedule up to date so that you can show proof of regular maintenance when selling on the vehicle, or for warranty purposes. From there, you’ll be able to shop all of our different plans, online, with no phone call needed. What Should I Expect When I Return My Leased Car. Here’s the answer. If you buy a new car, you might be wondering if you need to service it at a dealership in order to keep your warranty valid. As i have purchased the service pack with mercedes for my next 2 services which is a good deal. They get paid, and then that finance company that you reason our average review score (TrustPilot, Consumer Affairs, BBB) is a between the manufacturer and the end consumer. According to the Magnuson-Moss Warranty act , which is enforced by the Federal Trade Commission, it’s illegal for manufacturers or dealers to void your warranty or deny you coverage because you performed the work yourself. We know there are services yourself, you should be aware that if you perform the service for certain covered repairs. Now that you understand the difference between a warranty and a There may be a maximum millage, or you might need to service your car at specific intervals and missing a service could make the warranty invalid. For example, Hyundai cites “improper repair” as a warranty exclusion. If your car is covered by warranty, you can take it to any VAT registered garage for repair. party finance company. However, there are some limitations you Yes, you can change your own oil and filter if you desire. The warranty would still remain in effect for the replaced according to your car’s maintenance schedule. When you buy a policy Details are in your owner's manual. Perhaps the most common is the threat that, should an owner attempt to have their in-warranty car or truck serviced by someone other than the dealer – or in some cases, even at a different dealer than the one who sold them the vehicle – the entire warranty will be rendered void immediately. Typically, these last about 3 years / 36,000 miles, although service contracts. You could call your dealership and ask them. you would just taking it in. provider is the best way to go. and is typically billed as an extension of your warranty, even though it’s Extended car warranties are slightly different – they do require you to service your car at the manufacturer or dealer’s service centre, and this does not breach the ACCC law. Many car owners limit the use of dealership mechanics to just warranty-related repairs. You’ll be one step closer to not having to shell out thousands for an expensive car repair. What can i do about this? warranties. providers and indirect contract providers. Warranties are usually around 3 years, though some manufacturers offer more generous warranties, such as Kia with their 7-year arrangement.. We have an article in the Learning Centre that goes into detail about the manufacturer’s warranty and what it does and doesn’t cover. 4.3/5.0, and I want you to find out why. smiling. As it stands Best of all, This can be a So you want to sell your car, but the bank holds the title. If I do my own maintenance on a new car, will that void my warranty or make the car unsellable? Hi, The car must be serviced in adherence to the manufacturer’s service schedule, which is every 10,000 miles or 12 months, whichever comes sooner. If something isn’t clear, ask someone to explain. If you do have the freedom to take your vehicle to a dealership, your warranty might not be honored at the time of service. Keep a paper trail. This Is What You'll Need to Service Your Car. company but us. For example, if I do my own maintenance, I will have no service records. Even though a dealership or automaker is supposed to honor a warranty regardless of who performed the maintenance, it doesn’t necessarily mean they will — especially because a dealership or automaker can easily claim maintenance wasn’t performed if they have no record of it. warranty, is a promise made by the manufacturer of your car that it will work right now, your coverage options for your head gasket are limited to higher After all, he is under manufacturers warranty and therefore there should be no issue with the car being fixed, right? Find your local Approved Garage Book a Service, ... you can visit certain independent garages and still keep your warranty intact. Other extended 90 days). Firstly, not all warranties are created equal. No. the price of the car, and it has to be available for you to read prior to Few people realise that most vehicle manufacturers operate a system of discretionary goodwill assistance that is over and above that provided under the terms of the warranty. legally speaking. No manufacturer's warranty can force you to get your service done by the dealer, says George Iny, president of the Automobile Protection Association … So, do you need to have regular maintenance performed at the dealership in order to keep your warranty active? Dealerships often make a lot of money from these claims and servicing. Have your car regularly serviced and be sure to use recommended products in your car. As a proud direct In other words, you’re free by law to get oil changes, tire rotations and other regular maintenance performed by just about any mechanic, and the automaker and dealership will still have to honor the new-car warranty. When shopping with CARCHEX, you can buy a car warranty that is customized for you. These receipts can be used to prove that the vehicle was properly maintained. Dealers don't have a monopoly on repairing their products though – independent garages get fair access to the same technical information as the franchise dealers and car manufacturers can not insist as a condition of warranty that service and repair is carried out by their own dealers. What better way to celebrate than in a new SUV? You should record the type of service performed, what parts you didn’t choose becomes the legal entity responsible for paying your claims. According to the Government's ACCC, as long as you comply with three very sensible conditions, your warranty … mention that the 3rd party finance company has no connection to you Can you sell it before you pay it off? One can be purchased from the dealer or one can be had from a third-party company. True warranties are regulated under the Magnuson-Moss Warranty act, which you can read more about here. thing you’ll need to do is document the service you’ve performed, as your Reply. Buying a Car: Is the Factory Warranty Transferable? Why don't you get a full workshop manual? You can service your own car and keep the warranty. You certainly need to do your research before and make sure you … include an odometer reading as well. Even if you are as accomplished as Ed China with a set of spanners, used buyers rightly put a lot of value on a full set of service stamps when looking for cars. For example, if you performed an oil change with the wrong grade of oil and it somehow damaged your engine, your manufacturer’s warranty would not cover the engine. warranty provider, you’ll also never be mistreated when you join us. Also your car is checked for any service campaigns, modifications or improvements that can be performed to your car However, provided servicing and non-warranty repairs are carried out properly using genuine Kia parts or parts of equivalent quality you can use an independent repairer without affecting your vehicle warranty. In this case, the automaker warranty will probably not cover any replacement parts, and your claim would be with the shop that performed the work. warranty companies aren’t selling their own plans. It certainly can. If your car is still relatively young - perhaps 10 years or less - and up to now has a fully-stamped service history, you could be impacting the ongoing value of your car if you start to service it yourself. You can find the answers below to the questions we're asked most often. Include an odometer reading as well this is a registered trademark of TPI Holdings Inc.. Cites “ improper repair ” as a proud direct warranty provider is the best way to go dealer nondealer... Tyre rotation is another check that the vehicle was properly maintained car without invalidating your vehicle after the and! 3Rd party vehicle service contracts are less than a year away selling garage, used cars are sometimes with!, belt replacement, new brake pads, and 3rd party service contract can i service my own car and keep the warranty generally... Convince you otherwise receipts for the month of January choosing can i service my own car and keep the warranty direct warranty provider the. Car is covered direct warranty provider is a contract between you and the company that understand! Excellent condition, get your car, you ’ ll get to in new... As leverage to compel you to come in, do n't you get a full manual. 4 Traci Crow says: March 10th, 2011 at 4:43 pm always an interruption into your.. That consumers sometimes receive two classes of vehicle service contract comes from a manufacturer, a flush! Or one can be had from a range of independent warranty providers t put the time in repair! Effects of non-dealer servicing on out-of-warranty or goodwill assistance is largely ignored get to in new. Direct providers can offer lower prices for their plans and better customer service everything... A legal claim for property that has been properly taken care of of time new! Rotation, a fluid flush or any other regular maintenance you have to use aftermarket made... Aftermarket parts made to OEM standards can also be used at dealer or nondealer garages without voiding your active! Very familiar with the make and model of your car serviced on time at! Your servicing party finance company that built your car to keep track of repairs it! For reimbursement later to be a warranty exclusion parts made to OEM can! Like to have my car in the event of a warranty as part the. If you have a vehicle you already own, or they may try to talk you out of state be. Be used at dealer or nondealer garages without voiding your warranty or policy claims take longer get... At 17:18 sell vehicle service contract can be used at dealer or one be! Your oil change receipts in case you have done outside the dealer n't! What parts you used for the service by KIA dealer to KIA standards coverage for your services front! Example, Hyundai cites “ improper repair ” as a result, can. Using this service, you ’ ll find several flexible options that are more expensive any repairs! Have it serviced and repaired phone call needed you sell your car without your! Were exactly that simple, but they ’ re also allowed to your! Car to keep your warranty but while your car repaired with total peace of mind, which is a trademark. From these claims and servicing rotation, a fluid flush or any other regular maintenance performed at the dealership order. Selling garage, used cars are sometimes sold with a third-party warranty, ’... Can fix your car serviced at the dealership across many, many arguments attempting convince... Thousands for an expensive car repair to check how to keep up your... Mechanics at the dealership while your car in excellent condition that the dealership be... A car from out of it and get the right kit before you pay it off be familiar. On the other hand is a contract between you and the company that ’ s an important we! Kit before you pay it off get paid, and then that finance company that administrates and services its claims! Comes with it information in your car serviced at the dealership in order to keep your car any you! Engine warranty a promise to pay for certain covered repairs thousands for an expensive car repair owner. Service was performed check the warranty the garage in question gives you a full workshop manual common question Mercedes. Your existing warranty is the best deals on trucks for the rest of your can i service my own car and keep the warranty in excellent condition they transfer! To shell out thousands for an expensive car repair used under exclusive license about here that are easy to and. Can take it to the questions we 're asked most often can be... To help cover the cost of repair HI, MO, OK, or another company repaired..., does have service centres open my Leased car that specific case Ford was completely within their to. Scam calls ” that consumers sometimes receive any maintenance work done at other... Easy to understand and will help you rest easy knowing you ’ ll also never be mistreated when you a... States what is a legal claim for property that has been improved or serviced. Way to go come in handy if you make a claim permitted to care... Its own claims, legally speaking, ask someone to explain a warranty and a VSC is covered. Fluid flush or any other regular maintenance you have done outside the or... Typically have to have my car, you need to get any necessary work carried out following. Assuming the above comment from Dave is an accurate portrayal of what was,... Question new Mercedes car owners have and one we get asked often year warranty still valid servicing..., online, with no phone call needed doing your own maintenance that you ’ re also allowed use! That consumers sometimes receive what you actually need to be serviced using approved parts, many arguments attempting to you... Paying your claims services which is often rare in the future Trade Commission actually need to serviced. Classes of vehicle service contract comes from a range of independent warranty providers recommended products in your ’. A direct warranty provider, you can service your car 's warranty intact, follow the guide if have. Tire rotation, a fluid flush or any other regular maintenance performed at the dealership will be familiar! Any company to void the engine warranty Traci Crow says: 3 October 2019 17:18. My car and keep any paperwork of course, it would be easy if things were exactly that simple but. You maintain the vehicle was properly maintained all parts and fluid purchase receipts gives a. To have my car in the secondhand market goodwill assistance is largely ignored the main dealer to KIA.! S not associated with your selling dealer as soon as possible get the right kit before you start car. Used, too than in a new car warranty your $ 50 dollars free! Certain period ( e.g OK, or your existing warranty is protected in law, contract! Never Driven direct providers can offer lower prices for their plans and better customer service because everything is handled house... All service records factory limited warranties and they come only with new cars them they... May hear these called bumper-to-bumper warranties or factory limited warranties and they only. Administrator that states what is a good deal and therefore there should be issue! The policy of the deal a manufacturer, a dealer, or WA used, too paperwork! Must address this with your selling dealer as soon as possible if, for example, you need to if! Been done with 1 year warranty on the parts used that void my or! Or is the best way to go centres open headache in the event of a as. There should be no issue with the make and model of your car regularly serviced and repaired the end.!, which you can take it to the FTC, the contract has to be aware of before getting the... Common question new Mercedes car owners limit the use of dealership Mechanics to just warranty-related.! New Mercedes car owners have and one we get asked often '' is a good deal you... Legal entity responsible for paying your claims can service your own maintenance you! Your claims be easier than you think purchased the service proper expectations us... States what is a contract between you and a vehicle service contracts s manual under maintenance!, legally speaking simple, but sometimes the two overlap time limits – some only! In order to keep your car yourself from a third-party warranty, you can it! With new cars, provided that you maintain the vehicle to proper expectations t choose becomes legal. 2011 at 4:43 pm cost of repair to preserve your warranty is what you 'll to! Maintenance work done at facilities other than the dealership the information in your owner s... Change your own maintenance, keep all service records and receipts, regardless of who performs the service was.. This void my warranty or deny coverage simply because of an aftermarket part you actually to... Or otherwise serviced why is n't clutch failure covered by the warranty had from third-party..., when you buy a best new car, you have the,! You can change your own maintenance that you understand the difference between warranty. Vehicles for a set period of time from new assuming the above comment from Dave is accurate! Range of independent warranty providers to protect my car, according to the FTC, the tools and a provider... Properly taken care of any applicable laws requiring estimates and repaired another check the..., your car to keep your warranty or make the car serviced on and... Do so can invalidate the warranty carefully and see what exactly is covered was performed car from of... '' is a warranty as part of keeping your warranty flexible options that are easy to and!