Servicing and Warranty

[Chrissy Boy]

Does anyone what the 'rules' are in terms of having your car serviced by a garage other than the authorised main dealer, in this case Ford. I have heard that you can have it done by another garage without this affecting the manufacturers warranty. If so how do you find out about the garages?

[Impret-Sir]

Every warranty I have ever had has stipulated that servicing must be carried out by a franchised dealer. I have never had a Ford warranty, but I would be surprised if they were any different. At the very least, this ensures a few years of your money going into their service centres!

[dougielogan]

You can use any reputable garages now, as long as they follow the manufacturers service schedule, and use original parts.  

[sddsddean]

Agree with dougie. This has come about after an EC ruling. Apparently the servicer (is there such a word?) must be VAT registered.

[robber1]

Legislation now makes it OK to have your car seviced to manufacturers specification at a garage of your choice without effecting the warranty. However you must be careful because Audi offer a 3 year warrany but the third year is given by the dealer and not the manufacturer. So, if you dont have the car seviced by them, they are not obliged to give you the third year cover. Clever huh? I suspect its only Audi who do this, but please check before you buy, just who provides the warranty.

[Chrissy Boy]

Thanks

[PhilD]

With Vauxhall you need to have the first service done at the main dealer to give you the 2nd and 3rd year's AA cover.