Car warranty question

naughtysmurf

I recently purchased a brand new car, it comes with a 5yr warranty.
The main dealer that I purchased it from is located a bit away from where I live so getting the car serviced will probably require taking a day off work.
There is however a former main dealer (formally selling the same make) much closer to me, he lost the franchise for refusing to spend €€€€€€€€ on a new fancy showroom etc but is still in business selling & servicing etc and is obviously familiar with the car type.

Does anybody know if my warranty would become void if I used the local former main dealer to service the vehicle?

Thanks in advance

delly

Without details of the car involved, it is impossible to say.

EPM

Is they are still an authorised service centre for the brand then it should be fine.

goat2

naughtysmurf wrote: »

I recently purchased a brand new car, it comes with a 5yr warranty.
The main dealer that I purchased it from is located a bit away from where I live so getting the car serviced will probably require taking a day off work.
There is however a former main dealer (formally selling the same make) much closer to me, he lost the franchise for refusing to spend €€€€€€€€ on a new fancy showroom etc but is still in business selling & servicing etc and is obviously familiar with the car type.

Does anybody know if my warranty would become void if I used the local former main dealer to service the vehicle?

Thanks in advance

you say formally selling the same make, is he not selling the same make anymore, i then question having the car serviced by him, dont think you would be covered

Darsad

Under EU law Block Exemption a customer can have his / her vehicle serviced without affecting warranty in any equal standard workshop provided the parts used meet OE specification .

A word of warning many part sellers will tell you their parts meet OE spec however they may not . A manufacturer can use this as an out clause in the event of there been a problem and they prove the parts used were not to the same spec.

The simple answer if your vehicle is within manufacturers warranty insist the workshop you use only uses genuine main dealer sourced parts. In many cases the parts are comparably priced .

R.O.R

Darsad wrote: »

Under EU law Block Exemption a customer can have his / her vehicle serviced without affecting warranty in any equal standard workshop provided the parts used meet OE specification .

A word of warning many part sellers will tell you their parts meet OE spec however they may not . A manufacturer can use this as an out clause in the event of there been a problem and they prove the parts used were not to the same spec.

The simple answer if your vehicle is within manufacturers warranty insist the workshop you use only uses genuine main dealer sourced parts. In many cases the parts are comparably priced .

Also ensure that the service schedule is followed down to the last full stop. Some of the vehicles with longer than usual warranties have items to be replaced sooner than you would expect. If this schedule isn't followed then it voids the warranty.

Anan1

naughtysmurf wrote: »

I recently purchased a brand new car, it comes with a 5yr warranty.
The main dealer that I purchased it from is located a bit away from where I live so getting the car serviced will probably require taking a day off work.
There is however a former main dealer (formally selling the same make) much closer to me, he lost the franchise for refusing to spend €€€€€€€€ on a new fancy showroom etc but is still in business selling & servicing etc and is obviously familiar with the car type.

Does anybody know if my warranty would become void if I used the local former main dealer to service the vehicle?

Thanks in advance

The answer is no (as per Darsad's explanation), but you're making things a lot more complicated for yourself if you do have to claim. Me, i'd bring the car back to the main dealer for servicing until the warranty's out.

naughtysmurf

I had a feeling I had read / heard somewhere that it didn't have to be serviced back with the main dealer I purchased it with or one of their authorised service dealers but didn't have the details so glad that's cleared up....think I may keep it serviced with them while still under warranty unless service price is extortionate compared to local guy who would only use genuine original replacement parts and would meet the spec required.
As indicated, could find original seller less than enthusiastic to help if something major went and different garage has been stamping the service book.
Thanks for info

mickdw

In theory, you can go to any vat regd garage and get your servicing done if you follow the service schedule and use proper quality items for the service. The problem with this is that the dealer will then not want to know you if a warranty issue arises and might even find some loophole to void your warranty.
Using a garage which was a main dealer is a different situation. You need to ask this garage if they are still an approved service centre for your car brand. Typically, when a dealer loses a franchise, they will retain the service centre side of it for a number of years. If the garage near you is in fact an approved service centre for your car manufacturer, there are no problems whatsoever. They will be able to look after warranty claims etc for you and you will have a genuine main dealer service history by using them.

The important thing as Ive said is to find out if they are still an approved service outlet for the manufacturer. Manufacturer website might have listing of sales outlets & also service centers. If your local guy is listed, they are 100%.