R2C - Right to Choose
Discussion
Independent repairers and aftermarket suppliers are launching a new campaign to make motorists aware of their right to choose where to have warranty and other servicing work done.
The new campaign, Right to Choose (or R2C), follows on from successful lobbying under the Europe-wide Right to Repair (R2R) campaign, which influenced the new Block Exemption for motor vehicle distribution and repair.
R2C campaigners say many motorists with vehicles under manufacturers’ warranty are under the misguided impression that the authorised dealer must carry out any servicing, maintenance or repairs, otherwise their warranty is invalidated.
The campaign aims to inform the motoring public of their Right to Choose to have their car serviced or repaired by an independent garage or service outlet without invalidating the vehicle warranty. It is a national, industry-wide campaign, apolitical and aimed at promoting the benefits to the motorist of using the independent aftermarket.
The campaign organisers warn that any evidence that franchised workshops are misleading customers by suggesting that they must have their car serviced by a main dealer will be passed to the European Commission, which is empowered to tackle abuses which bring detriment to consumers.
The campaign will actively promote independent aftermarket repairers and services through a series of press releases, activities and events around the country.
The new campaign, Right to Choose (or R2C), follows on from successful lobbying under the Europe-wide Right to Repair (R2R) campaign, which influenced the new Block Exemption for motor vehicle distribution and repair.
R2C campaigners say many motorists with vehicles under manufacturers’ warranty are under the misguided impression that the authorised dealer must carry out any servicing, maintenance or repairs, otherwise their warranty is invalidated.
The campaign aims to inform the motoring public of their Right to Choose to have their car serviced or repaired by an independent garage or service outlet without invalidating the vehicle warranty. It is a national, industry-wide campaign, apolitical and aimed at promoting the benefits to the motorist of using the independent aftermarket.
The campaign organisers warn that any evidence that franchised workshops are misleading customers by suggesting that they must have their car serviced by a main dealer will be passed to the European Commission, which is empowered to tackle abuses which bring detriment to consumers.
The campaign will actively promote independent aftermarket repairers and services through a series of press releases, activities and events around the country.
There's 2 sides to this.
1) On one hand why should the manufacturers not expect you to be loyal to their franchises in the first 3/5/7/lifetime years of ownership. If you aren't, ultimately their dealers close and then you have to travel even further to get something done that the little independent says "can't do that, take it to the main dealer" Same if you need a recall doing. Some you get a letter from the manufacturer, some you don't. Regular servicing gives them a chance to rectify things before they fail.
2) You need to have parts used that are EQUIVILENT to OEM spec for the warranty to be honoured. Lets say Mahle make the filter on your BMW. You fit a Hengst one as your factors say it's the same but cheaper. You really want to try and PROVE to BMW UK that it is? When you are left with a warranty issue a year down the line? The manufacturers WILL use this to get out of warranty claims if they can. Whether that's ethical is up to you.
Of course there's the other issue of Goodwill claims. Where manufacturers will help out in certain cases if the car is out of warranty and needs something doing. You won't get that without Dealer servicing. And of course there's residuals to consider. 2 RR Phantoms, 1 with RR dealer history. 1 with Kwik Fit service history. Which would you buy?
1) On one hand why should the manufacturers not expect you to be loyal to their franchises in the first 3/5/7/lifetime years of ownership. If you aren't, ultimately their dealers close and then you have to travel even further to get something done that the little independent says "can't do that, take it to the main dealer" Same if you need a recall doing. Some you get a letter from the manufacturer, some you don't. Regular servicing gives them a chance to rectify things before they fail.
2) You need to have parts used that are EQUIVILENT to OEM spec for the warranty to be honoured. Lets say Mahle make the filter on your BMW. You fit a Hengst one as your factors say it's the same but cheaper. You really want to try and PROVE to BMW UK that it is? When you are left with a warranty issue a year down the line? The manufacturers WILL use this to get out of warranty claims if they can. Whether that's ethical is up to you.
Of course there's the other issue of Goodwill claims. Where manufacturers will help out in certain cases if the car is out of warranty and needs something doing. You won't get that without Dealer servicing. And of course there's residuals to consider. 2 RR Phantoms, 1 with RR dealer history. 1 with Kwik Fit service history. Which would you buy?
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