Does My New Car Have to Return to the Dealership for Routine Auto Maintenance?

Posted on November 21, 2011 by admin

We have talked to so many people lately that didn’t know they have a Dealership Alternative, we thought it would be worth reposting this information we shared last year:

You are NOT required to bring your new car back to the dealer for all maintenance and repairs in order to keep your manufacturer’s warranty valid. Many people have been told when they purchase their new vehicle that the warranty will be voided if they have maintenance or repairs performed by an independent shop, but this is not true!

It is actually prohibited by Federal Law for a new car dealer to either deny warranty service or even imply that warranty service will be voided if servicing or repairs are not performed at the dealership. The law is the Magnuson-Moss Act of 1975, Title 15, Chapter 50, Section 2301-2312. Look it up for yourself! Look under “Tie-In Sales” Provisions. A Google Search on the Magnuson-Moss Act will also bring up many Web sites that explain this Federal Code in less “legal speak”; this is a good explanation: http://www.mema.org/Document-Vault/PDFs/MEMA-Comments-RE-FTC-Magnuson-MossActReview-Oct-24-2011-FINAL.pdf

Your own car manual even tells you that your vehicle’s maintenance may be performed by any automotive repair establishment or individual without invalidating the manufacturers’ warranty. Look under Vehicle Maintenance and Care, Maintenance Providers, Where to Go for Service and Replacement Parts, just to name a few areas in the manuals where you will find this confirmed.

For example: under Replacement Parts it says “Warranty coverage is not dependent upon the use of any particular brand of replacement parts.” Or, under Maintenance: “When maintenance and repairs are paid for by you, these services may be performed by you or by any automotive service provider you choose.”

Have you ever wondered how well a vehicle is being serviced at a facility whose primary purpose is to sell you a new car every 3 – 5 years? You may prefer a service provider that wants to develop a long-term relationship with you and help your vehicle stay healthy for 10 years or more.

The next time you are told that a new car has to be serviced at the dealer or the warranty will be void, mention the Magnuson-Moss Act (1975), and say “It just isn’t so!”

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  • jstonegoldman

    I’m glad to know this, although I do go to my dealership. I like the service there, and I want the official parts to the car. One time I used a different facility, and although it was o.k., I ran into more problems when I had to replace parts later on because I had used different parts. I hadn’t thought about the issue of warranty, so it’s quite valuable to know we don’t invalidate the warranty by going elsewhere.

    I don’t think there’s a more useful and practical blog anywhere, Donna! The information you provide is nothing we are going to intuit. You are our teacher!

    Judy Stone-Goldman
    The Reflective Writer
    http://www.thereflectivewriter.com
    Personal-Professional Balance Through Writing

    • Donnam

      Thank you, Judy! and I am glad you feel good about the dealer that takes care of you. As for parts, if the shop is smart they are using the exact same parts as the dealer does…at our shop we use only OEM parts (original manufacturer) or in some cases, better quality parts.  We also provide a 24 month/24,000 miles warranty on all our services vs the typical dealer warranty of 12/12. But it sounds as though your dealership is providing good customer service, too, so that is invaluable! You are fortunate!

  • http://www.vickidellojoio.com Vicki Dello Joio

    Great point, Donna, that the dealership wants (expects) to see you a new car soon. I think the kind of long term relationship with a person maintaining your car is not only cost-effective but feels better too!

    • Donnam

      Totally agreed! Thank you, Vicki!

  • Anonymous

    Thanks! I will remember this for a long time. Not sure if I’ll ever get to use it myself – I have never ever had a brand new car and probably never will. But I’ll be able to tell other people.

    • Donnam

      Thank you for sharing, Abigail! 

  • http://twitter.com/MosaicTutoring Cory Zacker

    I live in NYC and don’t own a car, but my parents do. I will be sure to pass this on to them. Thanks, Donna!

    • Donnam

      Wow, it seems strange to think about being able to live without a car! Sure doesn’t happen much here in California! Thank you for sharing the information with your family!

  • Susan Berland

    I’ve know this for a long time and am amazed by how many people still don’t know about it. I love my mechanic and she’s a woman! If I lived closer to you, I’d be bringing my car into you for sure!

    Susan Berland
    A Picture’s Worth
    http://susan-berland.com

    • Donnam

      Thank you, Susan! I think it is great that you have someone to go to that you love and trust! She is fortunate too to have such a loyal customer!

  • http://www.ourlittlebooks.com Candace Davenport

    Thanks once again for some great car info, and something I didn’t know. One thing I’d like to add is no matter where you go, keep your receipts. My daughter’s engine blew up and Mazda almost refused to replace it because she didn’t have great maintenance records. Then she found a couple of more and they replaced it free of charge. So, where ever you go, keep your receipts of what was done! (I wish you were up here Donna…)

    Candace Davenport
    http://www.ourlittlebooks.com ~ Little Books with a Big Message

    • Donnam

      You are welcome, Candace! and that is important advice about hanging on to your service records.  If your daughter had her maintenance done by Mazda they should have had those records on file, and the same should be true wherever she was going. But sometimes if we go to multiple places it can be difficult to retrieve history. One thing we do is have a connection with CarFax which means that all our customers’ service records are uploaded by CarFax and available when someone wants to buy a car from one of our customers or check on a car’s history.  I wish you could be one of our customers too, Candace! 

  • http://julieannecasefromtheheart.com Julieanne Case

    And we are told that. But maybe I’m under a misconception. My car is now 11 years old. I feel better taking it to the dealership for big things.  Maybe I have a good dealership. But I’ve never been disappointed with the service although I may pay a bit more. 

    Julieanne CaseAlways from the heart!Reconnecting you to your Original Blueprint, Your Essence, Your Joy| Healing you from the Inside Out |Reconnective Healing | The Reconnection| AgeLoc Skin Care |  Pharmanex Supplementshttp://thereconnectivehighway.com

    • Donnam

      Julieanne, it is all about where you feel most comfortable! if your dealership is treating you well and your car is 11 years old, that is fantastic! and it should never be about price, it is always about quality of service and what you are receiving for what you are paying. As long as services are being done when needed and done correctly, even if you are paying a bit more, it is going to save you money in the long run. You would be a good customer for us because you obviously appreciate the level of service you receive and are a loyal customer, just who we are looking for!

  • http://beachbodycoach.com/kirkzacharda Kirk Zacharda

    Thanks Donna I love it when people expose little false beliefs that businesses place onto their customers.  I dont know if I will ever buy another new car again but now I will have this tip if needed, and it makes total sense what you said- do they really have a big incentive to fix everything under warranty.

  • http://brendamjones.com Brenda Jones

    I will finally be getting a new car for the first time now that my hubby has passed his pharmacy exam so this is great information to have.  I’ve always had used cars and while I probably would have read that the car could be serviced anywhere, I was also under the impression that it had to go to the dealer.  Thank you for educating us on things that will be of great help. 

  • http://www.rayskillmanchevrolet.com/section/secondary/auto-finance-specials/ Tyra Shortino

    I always bring my car to the nearest maintenance shop for convenience’s sake. If my dealer is just a stone’s away from my house, I would be fine with carrying it over. I applied that same thing for the accredited mechanic or repair shop.

  • BMW and Mercedes servicing

    BMW and Mercedes servicing

    Always
    nice to read your blog.

    Different view and an own
    opinion about car maintenance. Thanks for suggestions.

     

  • http://www.warrantyheadquarters.com/ Auto Warranty

    Great tips! Also, don’t be afraid to talk to your car warranty provider if you don’t have a regular repair shop. They can often point you to one that they work with.