Manufacturer extended warranties

[Louis Balfour]

We’ve had a few over the years and always believed that we had to use main dealers for servicing to keep them valid.

Is that actually the case though? Can we use our local garage, they use genuine parts and the warranty remain valid?

Also, if we fitted non-genuine brake pads, do we void the warranty or only the warranty in respect of the brakes?

I ask because we have a couple of Minis that are under warranty but our local Mini main dealer is starting to become extortionate for service work. I am looking at options.

TIA

[itcaptainslow]

All depends on the T&C’s of the warranty; it should tell you whether service & repair work outside a franchised dealership is permissible. Some are quite flexible (Citroen used to only demand a VAT registered garage and reputable parts were used) whereas Porsche are much more prescriptive.

[PhilkSVR]

I use a specialist, but I confirmed that Jaguar were happy with that IF OEM/properly specified parts are used and I ensure that these are noted on my invoices for record purchases. My car is 5 years old and I have extended Jaguar Warranty.

[Louis Balfour]

itcaptainslow said:

All depends on the T&C’s of the warranty; it should tell you whether service & repair work outside a franchised dealership is permissible. Some are quite flexible (Citroen used to only demand a VAT registered garage and reputable parts were used) whereas Porsche are much more prescriptive.

It was actually Porsche extended warranty that raised the doubt in my mind. Someone on here had dissected it and it stopped short of stating that all work must be completed by Porsche, but it implied it. It was assumed because the law prevents them making that demand.

[Whataguy]

On the current Toyota 10 year/100k warranty it says you can use any garage in the first 3 years/60k miles as long as they do what the main dealer would have done and use genuine parts/etc.

But to get the extended warranty the terms are main dealer only for that part of ownership after the 3 year manufacturer warranty runs out.