√Dear Drive… Will I lose my warranty if servicing with a third party?

We explain how you can forgo dealership servicing costs and still retain a new car warranty.

Dear Drive… Where we answer reader, viewer, and listener questions. Something on your mind? Call us on the radio show or email us at contactus@drive.com.au.

Janet asks:

My Porsche Macan isn’t covered by capped-price servicing and maintenance is expensive. Can I take it to a third-party workshop for servicing, while retaining my new car factory warranty?

Many car shoppers have capped-price servicing near the top of their ‘must-have’ list when considering a new vehicle purchase. A majority of carmakers selling within Australia are happy to oblige by offering deals over a set period: ‘you pay this amount at this interval, then this amount next… And so on’.

But it needn’t be necessary. Despite what understanding you might’ve gleaned from your car dealership, independent service centres can service your car without voiding a new car warranty.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) states qualified mechanical repair can be undertaken by independent outlets to manufacturer specifications without compromising a new car warranty.

We spoke to national service network mycar (previously Kmart Tyre and Auto) to see how a big-name brand handles logbook servicing.

“Mycar technicians are fully licensed and qualified to service vehicles within the guidelines of the manufacturer car service warranty,” says mycar managing director Adam Pay.

“Logbook servicing at mycar will not void a car’s warranty under the consumer protection guarantee provided by the ACCC. Customers should check if they have special terms relating to extended warranties.”

With that last point, some manufacturers offer additional warranty extensions beyond the initial period – these can be impacted by servicing outside a manufacturer’s dealer network.

A notable example is the Australian Mitsubishi warranty that stands at five years (100,000km) initially, before adding a further five years (and 100,000km) if you service exclusively at Mitsubishi dealerships.

According to mycar, service technicians start out by first reviewing a car’s logbook and then performing a service exactly as the manufacturer dictates.

“Our technicians also ensure logbooks are officially stamped with service history documented,” says Pay.

“The cost of a logbook service depends mostly on the type of vehicle and the stage of the service cycle, which is based on service intervals set out by the manufacturer and/or vehicle use for kilometre milestones.

“For example, a basic new car service starts from $199, but will vary depending on the car’s manufacturer servicing guidelines. Customers are informed every step of the way, so there are never any surprises.”

Reputable independent workshops such as mycar have working relationships with automotive manufacturers, which ensures access to genuine parts as needed.

As well, many mycar technicians begin their training with a Certificate II in Automotive Servicing Technology through their local TAFE or a private Registered Training Organisation. The organisation also has partnerships with TAFE Victoria and NSW, and the Kangan Institute, where it has developed a bespoke pathway to train technicians to become EV-certified.

No matter where you service your car, you’ll need to maintain the vehicle to the manufacturer’s schedule to continue a warranty. This means no skipping routine services, and you can’t go modifying your car materially from its as-delivered specification.

Finally, do some research to find out what else your independent service centre can do for you. Some, including mycar, offer 12 months of roadside assistance after a logbook service, which means they’re guaranteeing their work.

Have a question about your next set of wheels or just need some car advice? No query is too big, small or obscure! Call in to the radio show (Trent on 2GB Sydney 1:30pm Monday and 9:00pm Wednesday, 5AA South Australia 1:30pm Tuesday, and James on 3AW Melbourne 9:00pm each Thursday), or contact us by email here: contactus@drive.com.au.

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