You absolutely are not stuck using dealer/factory mechanics. What a fallacy. Now if you buy a new car it is often easier to use manufacturer capped price servicing especially if it is a common car but plenty of mechanics do log book servicing. Now finding a good one is another story.
You can not just use any old mechanic
Lmafo at going to lubemobile, Repco, Ktas, ultratune or any of those and expecting good service - friends.have worked for half of these and get told to do everything from mismatched sparkplugs to not bothering to change fluids
Most of them are dodgy
If you are a mechanic yourself or live on a farm/in the bush and do work yourself as no mechanic about and there's no time to wait, but don't have an up to date ticket or business you can't do the work without voiding warranty as you can't sign the book
For any warranty work you absolutely MUST do it with the dealer
Also if you buy your parts yourself you usually always save money even if paying someone to put them in
If you don't use what the car company deem as quality parts they will and DO void your warranty
I have a friend who works at a truck parts company and I get parts through them
The brand's are not known but top quality
A new car company would argue I have not used known quality brands
This is how the company's makes their money doing lifetime servicing and fooling people
Capped servicing is another rort as the parts used are triple and sometimes up to 6 times what you could pay elsewhere
Thus the class actions being taken against holden and Toyota
Like everything in life what the rules are and how they are enforced and play out practically are very different things
Essentially if you don't want a shit fight with a car company you are stuck with them or their mates, and then you are usually given sub standard work and ridiculous prices on parts and labour
If you are lucky enough to not be ripped off with lies
You are allowed to do what you like
But it isn't going to be your easiest route if need a warranty claim later
Especially an issue if you are not mechanically minded and don't know shite
As with any mechanic like mentioned above
I choose to do my own work and at least I know it's been done properly
RACQ offers car insurance, car loans, roadside assistance and car care and repair services.
www.racq.com.au
Car dealers would have you believe that you need to return your car to them for servicing to keep your warranty intact. We look at what the law says.
www.choice.com.au
