The truth of the matter is that you are free to choose where your vehicle is serviced, maintained and repaired, at competitive prices.

Looking forward to the potential bargains available in the end of year car sales or have a new years rsolution to have your new car serviced? Here is some sound advice from Browns Garage in Nedlands.

Buying a new car is one of the most considerable investments you will make, so the smart approach is to see to it that you look after it. Caring for your new car goes beyond detailing the interior and keeping it sparkling with a loving weekly wash, however.

There are a few other things to consider, such as who is the best choice to service your car.

You will want to ensure it is regularly serviced by a qualified professional, to the manufacturers requirements, using high quality parts from a reputable supplier and fluids which meet the manufacturers specifications. This is not just to look after your new car, but because if these four requirements are met you will also preserve the manufacturers warranty.

The truth of the matter is that you are free to choose who will service your car without voiding either the manufacturers warranty or your rights under the Consumer Guarantee

Nobody can force you to return a new car to the dealer you got it from for service or repairs. Provided the work is only done to the manfufacturers specifications by a suitably skilled person and uses decent quality parts and fluids, the warranty stands. You have the right to choose who services your car.

Every Browns Garage mechanic is fully qualified and Auto-Tech trained, giving them access to Australia's leading provider of automotive technical information and training. This means Browns Garage mechanics are kept fully up to date with the latest in automotive service techniques and are able to service your new car without voiding the warranty.

Repco branded parts & products are manufactured to stringent Repco quality standards, and are covered by the Repco Nationwide Warranty, giving you added protection. Browns Garage will also only ever use fluids and lubricants that meet the specifications of the manufacturer of the car.

Make sure you are aware of the disparity between statutory, manufacturer and extended warranties to help you make the right selection when it comes to servicing your new car. You are automatically covered by a statutory warranty, also known as a Consumer Guarantee, under Australian Consumer Law (ACL) and this statutory protection can never be over-ridden by manufacturer or express warranties (which are offered by the car maker and car dealer respectively).

A lack of disclosure requirements on car dealers at the point of sale regarding these contracts can easily lead the consumer into making a choice to be bound by a long term contract without access to all of the details needed to make a properly informed decision.

So at the point of sale, be alert for new car dealers who may try to pad the deal with “express” or “extended” warranties, often for free. Usually these ‘added' warranties may include quite prohibitive restrictions or provisions, and are not aways very clear. Many times these special offers provide little or no additional benefits in excess of the consumer's basic statutory rights and can tie the unwary buyer into a long term agreement with the dealership selling the vehicle.

Such special offers are very unlikely to alert you to the potential negative aspects involved with taking a new car back to the dealer for service or repair. This includes the distance you may need to travel to get your car serviced or longer waiting times due to fewer available service locations or mechanics.

Check out our frequently asked questions below for more information on New Car Service and warranties. If you need to know more, the AAAA website and ACCC website have some great information too.

Under Australian Consumer Law (ACL), you are protected by a Consumer Guarantee which takes into account purchase price, realistic expectations of when a failure might occur, advertising claims and the conditions under which a vehicle should operate. Previously known as a Statutory Warranty, the Consumer Guarantee does not have a specific time limit associated with it nor can it ever be replaced by a manufacturers warranty, which is in addition to the Consumer Guarantee.

Manufacturers warranties are essentially a promise to the buyer that the new vehicle will be free from defects for a specific time and that any such defects will entitle buyers to a repair or other compensation. According to the Competition and Consumer Act (2010), such warranties cannot state that a vehicle MUST be returned to an authorised dealer for servicing

Often new car dealers will try to include "express" or "extended" warranties, sometimes for free, in the purchase of your new vehicle. These ‘extra' warranties are in addition to the manufacturers warranty and may include quite specific restrictions or provisions, usually in unclear or confusing language. Many of these contracts actually provide little or no additional benefits over and above the consumer's basic statutory rights and can tie the unwary buyer into a long term agreement with a specific car dealership. Extended warranties can (and often do) restrict you to a specific dealership, which can have its drawbacks.

There is NO requirement to service your car at a manufacturer's dealership to preserve;

• Any manufacturer's warranty (that may apply to your vehicle).
• Any state or territory based statutory warranty (that may apply to your vehicle).
• Your rights to Consumer Guarantees (formerly known as implied statutory warranties).

Browns Garage are fully qualified to carry out log book servicing and we ensure all work is performed according to the manufacturer's specifications, using appropriate quality parts, fluids and lubricants where required, meaning the manufacturers warranty remains intact. In addition, all work carried out by Browns Garage is backed by the Repco Authorised Service Nationwide Warranty.

Browns Garage can and WILL stamp your log book to verify the work has been conducted by fully qualified staff according to manufacturer's specifications, using appropriate quality parts, fluids & lubricants.

It goes without saying that a vehicle which has been well taken care of will maintain its value better than a poorly maintained one. Proof of a regular, properly adhered to service schedule will add further supporting evidence the car is in good condition. In addition to maintaining your warranty with correct service procedures, Browns Garage will stamp your log book, which can prove invaluable should you ever decide to sell the car.

Motor vehicle dealers sometimes offer their own extended (or express) warranties on vehicles. These extra warranties often begin after the manufacturer's warranty and may stipulate that the vehicle must be serviced by the actual dealer offering the warranty. They are generally within their right to impose this condition, but the buyer should beware, such warranties are not always what they seem. Browns Garage will be happy to advise you on the conditions and relative value before you commit to any service plan.