'Dealer Only' Warranty Restrictions Lifted in UK

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'Dealer Only' Warranty Restrictions Lifted

Over the last year the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) has been carrying out a major investigation into new car warranties which included servicing restrictions as to where a new car can be serviced. Of particular concern were the restrictions on servicing if a car was sold with an extended warranty package.

Following pressure from the OFT, all major makes of new cars sold in the UK will be sold without servicing ties as part of their warranties. This has avoided the possibility of formal action by the OFT under EC competition law.

What does this mean for the independent garage?

An independent can now service a vehicle that is still inside the manufacturer's warranty period, as long as the work is carried out in line with the car manufacturer's service schedules, using either genuine parts or parts which are of 'matching quality'.

The car maintenance record (service book) must be completed and invoices given to the customer detailing the work done. Likewise, good records should be kept of the work carried out.

We have used the words 'matching quality' carefully, as the use of inferior quality parts, which are not manufactured to be of matching quality, may invalidate the vehicle warranty and possibly result in a very angry customer and a large bill.

Mini Mania UK Service Department uses only OEM parts or their matching quality equivalent!

Article Date: Nov 22, 2004
Car Accociations: NEW_MINI
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