New Car Service Only at Dealership?

sagrules on 23/07/2015 - 21:30

Has anyone had their car warranty claim rejected because the car has been serviced at a licensed mechanic and not at a dealership?
Previously I had second-hand cars and I have always been buying my own premium oil and genuine parts and only paying labor charge to the licensed mechanic to keep the warranty.

Now, it’s a first time I bought a new Subaru.

The mechanic told me that he will only use Subaru branded oil, which cost 2x times the price of the same spec compatible Valvoline full synthetic oil to avoid potential warranty problems with Subaru.

Also a few people told me to only have the car serviced at Subaru dealership to avoid potential warranty problems with Subaru.

I believe it is not fair to the consumers and as long as the service is licensed and the oil is chosen according to the specifications in Subaru manual they must honor their warranty.

The licensed mechanic with subaru branded oil and subaru filter costs $90 less then subaru capped service.

Please let me know what your experience has been with this.

Thank you

Automotive

Comments

  • PVA on 23/07/2015 - 21:33

    no idea about Subaru service costs but I found that getting our Honda civic and Nissan xtrail was cheaper at the dealer than Kmart TAS, Ultratune .
    And they wash the car and give you a lift back home/pick you up when the cars in service.

  • [Deactivated] on 23/07/2015 - 21:38
    +3

    By law your warranty cannot be voided as a result of having your car services outside the dealership. End of story.

  • ozhunter on 23/07/2015 - 22:04
    +2

    If it's extended warranty, one of conditions is that the service must be done by the dealer. Not sure if that would hold up in court or not.

    If it's a new car warranty, then the car can be service at any licensed mechanic.

    • sagrules on 24/07/2015 - 11:44

      I got both:

      1. New car warranty for 3 years

      2. Dealer "Mechanical protection plan" for 5 years if I service at the dealer where I bought.
        This plan is limited to max of $500 per repair and total limit of $1500.
        Also it has lot's of limitations on what is covered

      I don't think that the second one is worth it.

      • [Deactivated] on 24/07/2015 - 14:10

        They're a waste of money, over the five years you'll spend more than an extra $1,500 on getting the car services with them than you can get paid out.

  • Herp on 23/07/2015 - 22:24

    The mechanic told me that he will only use Subaru branded oil, which cost 2x times the price of the same spec compatible Valvoline full synthetic oil to avoid potential warranty problems with Subaru.

    Load of crap. Car manufacturer branded oil is just oil from one of the major companies with a different label on it and for twice as much (as you found out). Can't say I know the exact oil specs required for it, but I'd wager any 5w-30/5w-40 full synth would do the job just fine.

    Subaru filters do have a slightly higher bypass pressure IIRC but can't remember if there was anything else about them. This may be useful if you intend to travel 10 or 15k between services, if less than any old compatible filter should be fine.

  • Cheeper on 23/07/2015 - 23:35

    The OP has a new car this time..
    Op.. Did you enquire with your Subaru dealer what they charge for a basic service… take a valium and sit down afterwards :-(
    Jump onto the Subaru owners forum and ask them for details about special needs etc for that car.
    Alternatively you will find dedicated non dealership Subaru service centres in your phone book… or google.

    • sagrules on 24/07/2015 - 11:46

      Did anyone or anyone you know had a warranty claim difficulties because they didn't use official service center?

    • Scorpiogirl on 24/07/2015 - 12:29

      Lol@take a valium. Welcome to Subaru. I bought my couple of years old car from a Subaru dealership and i am required to service at an approved service repair centre through Subaru.

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