Car servicing costs can be expensive at main or franchised car dealers but will using an independent garage invalidate your warranty?

Find out how you could save a small fortune without affecting your new car warranty.

Many new car owners find the car servicing costs expensive at the main car dealers and would like to be able to turn to a trusted independent garage like ourselves, saving themselves a small fortune in the process but worry it will invalidate their warranty.

So are you allowed to have your car servicing carried out elsewhere without invalidating the terms of your new car’s warranty? Could it invalidate the valuable guarantee you have against costly parts and labour fees in the event of a breakdown or failure? Are you permitted to look elsewhere for your servicing?

The answer is yes, the choice is absolutely yours. You do not have to have your car servicing carried out at a main dealer or franchised dealer to maintain its warranty! 

You can decide where your car is going to be serviced and by whom. Car makers cannot force you to have your vehicle service carried out at their official UK dealership network. And they also can’t refuse to honour your new car warranty simply because it has been serviced somewhere else. The technical regulations behind this is that it is part of an agreement called the European Union Block Exemption legislation, which has been active for many years and which, even though the UK has now left the EU, still stands.

Car manufacturers are however within their rights to specify a frequency for their car servicing schedule, so do make sure you are keeping an eye on when they are due. For example, it could be a set amount of mileage per annum, maybe 12,000 miles, or annually by date if the mileage is less, but it differs by manufacturer so you do need to check. Missing your car servicing schedule could invalid your warranty so be aware. You may also be required to use only approved parts, but that still doesn’t restrict you from having the vehicle service carried out at an independent garage or workshop, providing they can obtain the correct parts.  Here at Just Nice Clean Cars, we are proud to able to provide approved parts for all makes and models of cars.

If you do choose to have your new car serviced by an independent garage, or even an independent mechanic, make sure you choose a good reputable one. At Just Nice Clean Cars in Warwick, our expert technicians perform MOT’s and services to a strict code of conduct for quality and safety. So seriously, don’t try to cut too many corners in an effort to shave a few pounds off the total cost, at the end of the day, it is your car at stake and the safety of you and your passengers. You can book a service with us here, or call 01926 836900.

If you’re still unsure, check with your warranty company before booking, and afterwards, keep detailed invoices and receipts for all the work done so you have proof that the car has been serviced according to its schedule.

PLEASE NOTE: If your new car has been purchased utilising car finance, you may find that your car finance agreement specifies that your car has to be serviced by an approved franchised workshop.  Many PCP agreements will insist on you using an approved franchised workshop to maintain its guaranteed future value (GFV) if you want to give the car back at the end of the agreement. If you have a lease deal you might be expected to service your car with a dealership.  Whilst this is not a warranty issue but more a question of the used car value, it is worth being aware of so you don’t fall foul. 

Just Nice Clean Cars in Warwick run offers to save you money on the upkeep and maintenance of your car throughout the year, so do check the Special Offers on our website to see what promotions are currently live.