ACE MECHANICS PROTECTS YOUR CAR’S WARRANTY!
That’s right, ACE Mechanics is authorised to service, update, and stamp logbooks as part of maintaining your manufacturer’s new or extended car warranty.
“Provided you service the vehicle in accordance with any such requirements, the warranty will remain valid.” – ACCC
Many Australians have been told that keeping their new car warranty intact requires repair work be done only by the original manufacturer’s dealer or its agent. In fact, your new car’s warranty is a statutory requirement that cannot be voided by simply going to another qualified repairer.
In the words of the former chairman of the ACCC:
“To put the record straight, dealers cannot declare a warranty void if the buyer has the vehicle serviced by someone else. Under the Trade Practices Act, dealers cannot limit their warranty obligations or claim the warranty is void if the vehicle is serviced by someone other than the dealer or its agent. The statutory warranty applies to new and second-hand cars.”
– Professor Allan Fels, former Chairman of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) says “a manufacturer’s warranty is a promise to the consumer that the vehicle will be free from defects for a certain period of time.”
It’s Your Choice – Make the ACE Choice!
“Consumers are sometimes confused about the differences between the consumer guarantees, warranties against defects, and extended warranties. This is especially the case when dealers and manufacturers make broad statements that consumers will ‘void their warranties’ or similar if they go to an independent repairer (for example, a repairer who is not affiliated with the manufacturer or part of the manufacturer’s network). Any suggestion by car manufacturers or dealers that motor vehicles need to be serviced at a licensed dealer to maintain the owner’s consumer guarantee rights is not correct.”
While a manufacturer can have certain requirements in its warranty terms—such as ensuring any servicing is carried out by qualified staff, according to the manufacturer’s specification, and that appropriate quality parts are used where required—it can’t require you to service your vehicle through an authorised dealer to keep your warranty intact.
Be aware, manufacturers and dealerships have a vested interest in flouting the ACCC guidelines and saying you should service your car at an authorised dealer. There is sometimes language in logbooks that strongly implies you’ll be voiding the warranty if you don’t take it back to the dealer for servicing.
The Bottom Line
If your car has a warranty in place that is subject to Australian Consumer Law, you, your car, and your right to choose your service provider will be protected.
ACE Mechanics and all of its qualified team are able to help protect and maintain your car’s warranty.
