So, you have a brand new car. Fantastic. Now it's time to get it serviced. You might think, or the dealer may have even told you, that you'll void your warranty if the dealership doesn't service your car. That's necessarily true.

What you need to know is that you don't need to service your vehicle at a dealership in order to preserve the following warranties which may apply to your vehicle:

• manufacturer's warranty;
• state / territory based statutory warranty;
• your rights to Consumer Guarantees (previously known as implied statutory warranties).

What to look for in a Service Centre:

In order to preserve your vehicle's warranties you need to take your car to a service centre that meets these minimum requirements. The Service Centre must:

• use quality spare parts, sourced from reputable suppliers;
• conduct service in accordance with the manufacturer's specifications;
• trained, supervised and suitably qualified staff; and
• use fluids and lubricants which meet manufacturer's specifications.

AutoPlus Service Centres and Warranties

You can rest assured that all AutoPlus Service Centres meet or exceed these requirements. Our Service Centres are staffed by Qualified Mechanics. We use parts, fluids and lubricants which meet or exceed manufacturer's specifications. We'll stamp your logbook to verify that we the work we have carried out during your vehicle's service has been conducted in accordance with the manufacturer's specifications by our Qualified Mechanics. Keeping a record of vehicle servicing with a reputable service centre can also assist with resale value.

What Warranties Do You Have?

Under the Australian Consumer Laws (ACL) car owners are guaranteed a level of protection for vehicles they buy (consumer guarantees), which applies regardless of any warranties the vehicle's manufacturer may offer. Under the ACL there is NO requirement for the vehicle to be serviced by an authorised dealer for the consumer guarantees to apply. You should however meet the minimum guidelines set out above to ensure that the vehicle is serviced by qualified professionals using appropriate parts and fluids.

Manufacturers warranties are their promise that the vehicle will be free of defects for a specified time and that the purchasers are entitle to repair or compensation of any such defect. If your manufacturer's warranty specifies that only an authorised dealer can service the vehicle, it may be a concern under the Competition and Consumer Act (2010) and should be reported immediately to the ACCC.

Extended warranties are offered by some dealers. Extended warranties do not replace the manufacturer's warranty or consumer guarantees. The dealer may impose additional requirements regarding servicing for extended warranties which may mean that the extended warranty could be voided if an authorised dealership is not used for servicing.

Want to know more?

Check out Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association and the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC)

Need help or have a questions? Take a look here for more information about AutoPlus and New Car Warranties. Want to book a service? Talk to the friendly team at your nearest AutoPlus Service Centre today.