There’s not much better than getting a brand-new car. The intoxicating smell! The tiny little single-digit number on the odometer! The awesome new safety and communications kit! You want this baby to stay like this for as long as it can. And part of that is making sure that new car warranty does its job.
But there are lots of crazy myths out there about what you can and can’t do when it comes to servicing your new baby. Let’s take a look at a few, and set you straight so that brand-spanking new car gets the best treatment without the servicing breaking the bank.
Myth 1 – You have to take your new car back to the dealer for servicing under warranty
Fact – Nope. You absolutely don’t. Any qualified, registered repairer – like Barr Automotive for instance – can do your servicing without voiding your warranty. What you do want to make sure of is that as well as being qualified, your repairer has a good reputation. Word of mouth and Google reviews are a great way to check out your options. Top tip – make sure you keep your logbook in your car so that it gets stamped; so, when you and your fresh new car eventually part ways you have a good service record. Buyers love that stuff.
Myth 2 – Independent Mechanics don’t have the right tools and up to date information to service new cars properly
Fact – Nope. You absolutely don’t. Any qualified, registered repairer – like Barr Automotive for instance – can do your servicing without voiding your warranty. What you do want to make sure of is that as well as being qualified, your repairer has a good reputation. Word of mouth and Google reviews are a great way to check out your options. Top tip – make sure you keep your logbook in your car so that it gets stamped; so, when you and your fresh new car eventually part ways you have a good service record. Buyers love that stuff.
Myth 3 – Using aftermarket parts will void your warranty
Fact – That would be another no. As long as you use quality parts from a reputable manufacturer you don’t have to use OEM (original equipment manufacturer) parts, which are usually a lot more expensive than after-market parts. And what’s more - they’re not necessarily better. One thing to bear in mind though, is that while new car warranty will still be valid, it will not cover failure of any of the specific after-market parts used. Lucky for you Australian Consumer Law and the warranties offered by the after-market manufacturers pretty much have you covered here.
Myth 4 – It’s a good idea to spring for an Extended Warranty
Fact – How many ways can we say no? An Extended Warranty kicks in at the end of the manufacturer’s warranty. Unlike the original manufacturer’s warranty, this is offered by the dealership, not the manufacturer of the car. The terms of this warranty are different and will usually mean you have to take your baby to the dealership for servicing, which can be inconvenient. It can also be expensive, because not all extended warranties are created equal. So make sure you take a good long look at the fine print before signing on the dotted line.
Over and above that, Australian Consumer Law protects you in any purchase you make. So if there is something really wrong, you have the support of the ACCC around issues of repair, replacement, realistic timeframes and being fit for use.
Myth 5 – It’s a ‘capped price service’ so it’s cheaper – right?
Fact – Wrong. Lots of new babies – we mean cars – come with the offer of Capped Price Servicing (CPS). Sure, this sounds great. But in practice it isn’t always what you think. Because capped doesn’t actually mean capped. Firstly, the CPS often doesn’t include critical items specified by the manufacturer in their service schedules. This means there will often be additional costs over and above the quoted CPS. Secondly, capped doesn’t mean the manufacturer can’t, or won’t, up the price of the service at any time. So by the end of your Capped Price Service warranty period, the service that might have started out at one price could end up costing you a whole lot more.
Myth 6 – I’m good with cars – it’s OK to do a service myself
Fact – Yeah, no. Sure, it’s fine to do small things like replace wiper blades, but it’s really not okay to service a new car yourself these days. New cars have sophisticated onboard computers and if you don’t have the right equipment you won’t be able to do simple stuff like reset the service light, to complex stuff when it comes to resetting the electronic park brake, if and when needed. And honestly – why would you want to? You’d never think of operating on a family member. Why would you risk operating on your new baby?
Keeping your new car warranty just as shiny and new as your car will not only keep that new car feeling going but will help with resale value when it’s time to move on up to a newer model.
At Barr Automotive, we have all the qualifications, equipment and experience to take care of you and your brand-new car. If you’re worried about anything, or you just want a regular service, give us a call on (02) 9476 2182 or contact us here.