Will an Independent Garage Service Affect My Car Warranty?

The short answer

No, as long as the service is done properly. You do not have to take your car to a main dealer to keep the manufacturer warranty. An independent garage like ours can service a car that is still under warranty.

This is one of the most common questions we get from people with newer cars in Pelsall and Walsall, and it is easy to see why. Many owners are told, or assume, that going anywhere other than the dealer will cancel their cover. It will not, provided the work meets the right standard.

What the rules say

The rules on this are known as block exemption. They started out as European rules and the UK has kept the same protection in its own law. They stop car makers from making their warranty depend on the car being serviced by their own dealers.

In plain English, you are free to choose who services your car. The manufacturer can still expect the service to be done properly, and that is where the conditions come in.

The conditions that keep your warranty safe

The service must follow the manufacturer schedule for your car, at the right time or mileage, with all the checks and part changes listed for that service. Skipping items, or leaving it long overdue, could give the manufacturer grounds to question a claim.

The parts and fluids must be of matching quality to the originals. That means the right oil grade and specification for your engine, and filters and parts made to the same standard as the ones fitted at the factory.

Keep a record. Your service book should be stamped and you should keep the invoice showing what was done and which parts and oil were used. That paperwork is your proof if you ever need to make a claim.

Some manufacturers now keep a digital service record instead of a paper book. If your car does not have a book, keep every invoice together in the car or at home. A clear, dated history of who serviced the car, when and with what, is what matters, and it helps when you come to sell the car too.

What still goes back to the dealer

Servicing is one thing, warranty repairs are another. If a part fails and it is covered by the warranty, the repair is paid for by the manufacturer and is done through their dealer network. The same goes for safety recalls.

If we spot something during a service that looks like a warranty fault, we will tell you, so you can take it to the dealer and have it put right without paying for it yourself.

How we service cars under warranty

We look up the manufacturer schedule for your exact car and carry out the service it calls for. We use oil that matches the manufacturer specification and parts of matching quality, and we show the oil grade and parts on your invoice.

We stamp your service book after every service. Mark has been in the trade for more than 30 years, and as a family-run garage on the High Street, we are happy to talk you through exactly what your car is due before you book.

Book your service in Pelsall

Bring your service book or tell us your mileage, and we will tell you which service is due. You will get a clear quote before any work starts.

Call us on 01922 682200 or book online, and pop down to 45 High Street, Pelsall, WS3 4LT.