New Car Servicing
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) have recently provided updated information regarding consumer rights and new car servicing under warranty.
There is no requirement under the Australian Consumer Law (ACL) for a vehicle to be serviced by an authorised dealer in order for the consumer guarantees to apply.
FAQ’s
What is a warranty?
A warranty is a voluntary promise offered by the person or business who sold the product or service to you. A warranty is in addition to any rights you have under the Australian Consumer Law (ACL). Click here for more information on warranties https://www.accc.gov.au/consumers/consumer-rights-guarantees/warranties
A dealer told me I’ll void my warranty if they do not service my car, is that right?
There is NO requirement to service your car at a manufacturer’s dealership to preserve:
- Any manufacturer’s warranty (that may apply to your vehicle)
- Any state or territory based statutory warranty (that may apply to your vehicle);or
- Your rights to Consumer Guarantees (formerly known as implied statutory warranties)
Can my preferred repairer stamp my log book?
The logbook in some vehicles includes a box which indicates that it should be stamped by an ‘authorised dealer’. The ACCC have confirmed that even if a logbook is labelled in this way, an independent repairer may sign or stamp the relevant page of your service logbook (once they have completed the service) without it affecting the manufacturer’s warranty, provided all essential requirements are met.
These essential requirements are as follows:
- The repairer must use quality spare parts from reputable suppliers
- Perform the service in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions
- Staff must be trained, supervised and suitably qualified
- Fluids and lubricants must meet manufacturer’s specifications
At Angus Car Service we only use quality parts, approved fluids/lubricants, our staff are fully qualified and we follow the manufacturer’s service schedule. We are able to provide all your new car servicing needs.
How long should my Consumer Guarantees apply?
It’s a common misconception that your Consumer Guarantees have a specific time limit. Whilst a manufacturer may choose to put a time limit on their warranty, this cannot replace your Consumer Guarantees. Protection provided under Australian Consumer Law will take into account the purchase price, realistic time expectations of when a failure may occur, any advertising claims and the conditions under which a vehicle should operate. A manufacturer’s warranty is in addition to, not in lieu of your Consumer Guarantees.
What if I have a warranty claim?
If you have a warrantable defect it may be a condition of the warranty that any work to rectify is carried out at the Manufacturers Dealer workshop. Your independent mechanical workshop may also be able to guide you through this process.
Will having my car regularly serviced preserve my resale value?
Evidence of a well maintained car will usually augur well for upholding resale value.
If you have any further questions, give us a call on 47323 676 or you can read more from the Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association here https://www.aaaa.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/NCS-DL-Digital-final.pdf
New Car Servicing