Does Dealer-Alternative Servicing Affect My Vehicle Warranty?
If you own a car, you know how important it is to keep up with routine maintenance and repairs. So let’s talk DEALER WARRANTY for a moment. A car warranty is a promise by a manufacturer, to stand behind its product or to fix certain defects or malfunctions over a period of time. The warranty pays for any covered repairs or part replacements during the warranty period. But can a dealer refuse to honor the warranty that came with your new car if an independent automotive repair business performs the routine maintenance or repairs?
Most consumers don’t know that the answer to that question is NO! The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the nation's consumer protection agency, enforces the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act which states that in fact, it's illegal for a dealer to deny or void your warranty coverage simply because you had routine maintenance or repairs performed by someone other than the dealer. An independent mechanic, a retail chain shop, or even you yourself can do routine maintenance and repairs on your vehicle. Routine maintenance often includes oil changes, tire rotations, belt replacement, fluid checks and flushes, new brake pads, and inspections. Maintenance schedules vary by vehicle make, model and year. The best source of information about routine scheduled maintenance is your owner's manual. Automotive Aspects, LLC. has access to a database of factory recommended services for each year make and model vehicle as well.
That said, there may be certain situations where a repair may not be covered. For example, if you replaced a part improperly and your engine is damaged as a result, your manufacturer or dealer may deny responsibility for fixing the engine under the warranty. However, according to the FTC, the manufacturer or dealer must be able to demonstrate that it was the improper part replacement — rather than some other defect — that caused the damage to your engine. The warranty would still be in effect for other parts of your car.
An 'aftermarket' part is a part made by a company other than the vehicle manufacturer or the original equipment manufacturer (OEM). A 'recycled' part is a part that was made for and installed in a new vehicle by the manufacturer or the original equipment manufacturer, and later removed from the vehicle and made available for resale or reuse. Simply using an aftermarket or recycled part does not void your warranty either. Again, The FTC says the manufacturer or dealer must show that the aftermarket or recycled part caused the need for repairs before denying warranty coverage.
That is why it is important to choose an honest, dependable, and experienced automotive technician to perform your repairs and maintenance, which we understand can be a trying job. It is important to have someone on your side, making safety a priority and providing you with trustworthy advice and fair prices. As a local business, we pride ourselves on our quality work, our multitude of equipment, tools, industry resources, and services provided, our satisfied clients and our passion for what we do. Our goal is to have 100% customer retention and to expand our business by word of mouth and referral. The only way to do that is by maintaining positive relationships and building trust with our clients! We are proud to offer dealer alternative maintenance and repair services at affordable prices. We offer mobile services, tailored hours, price matching and unmatched customer service! We want to do our part to change the image that society has of the automotive industry. Give us a try and let us show you how easy car care can really be! Let’s make it a great experience!
