Lexi Webster
A car warranty is a voluntary promise from the manufacturer or seller to fix certain mechanical or design faults within a certain period of time from when the vehicle was purchased. In Australia, there are three types of car warranties: statutory warranties, manufacturer's warranties, and extended warranties. While the specific terms of a warranty will vary depending on the manufacturer, there are several common actions that can void a new car warranty in Australia. This includes using faulty or wrongly installed aftermarket parts, modifying your vehicle in a way that causes damage, neglecting to maintain your vehicle, using the vehicle for non-covered activities, and adding modifications that do not conform to Australian standards or manufacturer specifications. It is important to carefully review the terms of your warranty to understand what actions may void it.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Using faulty or wrongly installed aftermarket parts | Voids warranty |
| Using non-genuine parts | Voids warranty |
| Using a non-approved repair facility | Voids warranty |
| Not servicing regularly | Voids warranty |
| Using the vehicle for non-covered activities | Voids warranty |
| Using the vehicle for non-private use | Voids warranty |
| Installing lift kits | May void warranty |
| Tuning the car with aftermarket high-performance parts | May void warranty |
| Not using quality parts | May void warranty |
| Servicing outside the dealership | May void warranty |
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What You'll Learn
Using non-genuine parts
In Australia, a car warranty is a voluntary promise made by the manufacturer or seller about what they will do if something goes wrong with a newly purchased car for a specific period of time or a specific number of kilometres driven. Car warranties are not the same as car insurance and will only be valid for issues that are explicitly stated in the warranty.
To avoid voiding your warranty, it is recommended to use Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) or genuine parts. Additionally, it is important to ensure that any servicing is carried out by qualified staff and according to the manufacturer's specifications. While you are legally entitled to shop around for the best servicing deal, it is recommended to use a licensed mechanic to avoid any issues with your warranty.
It is worth noting that some dealerships may claim that any modifications or repairs made to the vehicle will void the warranty. However, this is not always the case. While modifying or tuning your car does not automatically void the manufacturer's warranty, using aftermarket high-performance parts may result in the manufacturer denying warranty coverage for specific parts or systems that are damaged as a result. Therefore, it is important to carefully consider any modifications and repairs made to your vehicle and their potential impact on your warranty.
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Modifications to the vehicle
One key consideration is the use of aftermarket parts. Installing faulty, wrongly installed, or low-quality aftermarket parts can void the warranty on specific components or even the entire vehicle. This is because the manufacturer may deny coverage if the aftermarket part is found to have caused damage to other parts of the vehicle. It is recommended to use Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) or genuine parts to avoid issues with your warranty.
Some dealerships also stipulate that installing certain accessories, such as lift kits, will void their warranties. This is due to the increased risk of accidents and other vehicle issues associated with these modifications. If you plan to install a lift kit, it is advisable to choose a reputable company that provides a new warranty to cover any issues that may arise.
Additionally, modifications that do not conform to Australian standards or manufacturer specifications can void your warranty. For example, applying an excessively dark tint to windows or lowering the vehicle's height beyond acceptable limits may result in a voided warranty. It is important to ensure that any modifications are ADR-approved to avoid issues with your warranty and registration.
It is worth noting that some dealerships may provide conflicting information about modifications. It is always best to refer to the warranty document and seek clarification from multiple sources before proceeding with any modifications. While certain modifications may not directly void the warranty, they can complicate the warranty claim process if issues arise.
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Not servicing regularly
Regular servicing is crucial to keeping your new car warranty intact in Australia. While you don't necessarily have to service your car at the dealership, neglecting to service it regularly can void your warranty. Here's what you need to know about servicing your car to maintain your warranty:
Licensed Mechanic and Manufacturer's Specifications
It is essential to have your new car serviced regularly by a licensed mechanic. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) states that scheduled servicing can be performed by a qualified independent mechanic, provided that the service is carried out according to the manufacturer's specifications. This includes using appropriate quality parts, such as Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) or genuine parts, as required by the manufacturer.
Avoiding Non-Genuine Parts
Using non-genuine or aftermarket parts can potentially void your warranty. Aftermarket parts are those not made by the original manufacturer, and while they may be cheaper, they might not meet Australian quality control standards. If a non-genuine part is used, it won't be covered under the manufacturer's warranty but may be covered under the warranty of the part's supplier and/or Australian Consumer Law.
Following Maintenance Schedules
Many manufacturers provide recommended maintenance schedules to keep your car in good condition. Adhering to these schedules can help prevent future mechanical problems. If a car part fails and requires repair, you must be able to show that the issue was not due to a lack of maintenance on your part. Regular servicing and maintenance can help you identify and address potential problems before they become more significant issues.
Understanding Warranty Coverage
It's important to thoroughly read and understand your warranty document. Warranties typically cover safety, reliability, and roadworthiness, but they may exclude routine services, maintenance, cosmetic damage, or normal wear on certain items. Additionally, damage resulting from accidents, misuse of the car, or certain modifications may not be covered. By understanding what is and isn't covered by your warranty, you can make informed decisions about servicing and maintenance to keep your warranty intact.
In summary, regular servicing by a licensed mechanic using approved parts and following the manufacturer's specifications is crucial to maintaining your new car warranty in Australia. By understanding the terms of your warranty and taking proactive maintenance measures, you can help ensure that your warranty remains valid and provides the intended coverage.
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Using the vehicle for non-covered activities
Using a vehicle for non-covered activities can void a new car warranty in Australia. A car warranty is a voluntary promise from the manufacturer or seller about what they will do if something goes wrong with a newly purchased car for a specific period of time. It is not the same as car insurance and will only be valid for issues that are explicitly stated in the warranty.
The use of a vehicle for non-covered activities, such as commercial operations or purposes other than private use, may void the warranty. This includes using the vehicle for ridesharing, as a taxi, or as a rental car. It is important to note that the terms and conditions of the warranty must be followed, and any deviation may result in claims being denied.
Some warranties may also specify that using the vehicle for certain activities, such as street racing or off-roading, is not covered. It is important to carefully read the terms and conditions of the warranty to understand what activities are and are not covered.
In addition, modifications to the vehicle that do not conform to Australian standards or the manufacturer's specifications may also void the warranty. This includes modifications such as applying a window tint that is too dark or lowering the car below an acceptable height. Again, it is important to refer to the specific terms and conditions of the warranty to understand what modifications may void the warranty.
It is worth noting that, while servicing the vehicle at the dealership is not required to maintain the warranty, it is important to ensure that any servicing is carried out by qualified staff, according to the manufacturer's specifications, and that appropriate quality parts are used. Using non-genuine parts may void the warranty, as they are not covered under the manufacturer's warranty but rather the warranty of the part's supplier and/or Australian Consumer Law.
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Repairs at a non-approved facility
A car warranty in Australia is a voluntary promise made by the manufacturer or seller to fix certain mechanical or design faults within a certain period of time from when the vehicle was purchased. This usually covers both parts and labour, as well as vehicle towing.
While you don't need to get your vehicle serviced at the exact dealership where you bought it, it is likely that your service will need to take place at a provider that uses Original Equipment Manufacture (OEM) or genuine parts. Repairs at a non-approved facility may void your warranty.
According to the ACCC's Guide on Australian Consumer, if your vehicle is not serviced regularly by a licensed mechanic using approved parts and according to the manufacturer's specifications, you may void your warranty. However, manufacturer warranties do not usually require your car to be serviced by one of their dealerships or by a manufacturer-approved repairer.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) says: "A manufacturer's warranty is a promise to the consumer." Despite what your dealer may say, you are legally entitled to shop around for the best servicing deal without voiding your manufacturer's warranty. However, the rules are different for extended warranties.
It is important to note that dealerships enjoy a high average gross profit margin on vehicle servicing and repairs, so they may be protective of this. Manufacturers may say they won't honour a new car warranty if the vehicle has been touched by a mechanic outside of their network. This makes it difficult for car owners to enforce their warranty rights.
It is also worth noting that some dealerships stipulate that installing lift kits will void their warranties because they increase the likelihood of accidents on the road as the car becomes harder to handle.
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Frequently asked questions
A car warranty is a voluntary promise from the manufacturer or seller to fix certain mechanical or design faults within a certain period of time from when the vehicle was purchased.
Using faulty or wrongly installed aftermarket parts, modifying your vehicle, repairing your vehicle at a non-approved repair facility, neglecting to maintain your vehicle, using the vehicle for non-covered commercial operations, and natural disasters are some of the situations that may void a car warranty in Australia.
Most dealerships state that installing lift kits will void their warranties as they increase the likelihood of accidents and cause vehicle issues. However, modifying or tuning your car does not automatically void the manufacturer's warranty.
No, you are not required to service your car at the dealership to keep your warranty intact. However, it is important to ensure that the service provider uses Original Equipment Manufacture (OEM) or genuine parts to avoid voiding the warranty.
Modifying your car may not void the entire warranty, but warranty claims may be denied if the modifications are found to have caused the issue. It is important to note that modifications that make your car unroadworthy may affect your insurance.
