Do I need to take my car to the dealership if it's under warranty?

Hey Zahntech -

I have a newer car, and it's still under warranty. I'm really worried that I could void my warranty by not taking it to the dealership for regular services, but the dealership labor charges seem to be a whole lot higher than independent shops. Do I need to take it to the dealership as long as it's under warranty?

- Confused by the fine print

Hey Confused -

The answer is, sometimes. The Moss-Magnuson Act says that a warranty can't require you to purchase additional services from the warranter in order to keep your warranty in good standing (to read a brief legal analysis, check this link out). However, the warranter can GIVE you services, and they have to, obviously, provide parts and labor for free under the warranty if something goes wrong.

The basic rule of thumb is: If you have to pay, you can have the work done anywhere. If it's getting done for free to you, you have to do it at the dealership.

So, if you're told you have to get oil changes and regular services (15,000 or 30,000 mile services, etc) to keep your warranty in good standing, that's true, you do. But you can get them done anywhere - from Jiffy Lube or other chain stores to independent shops to other, competing dealerships! But be sure to hold onto your paperwork from other shops, though, so you can prove you did the required maintenance should you have to. (If you've lost or tossed your paperwork, though, a reputable shop will have maintained records and should be able to provide duplicates if necessary.)

But if your new car came with a program where you get free oil changes and major services, you've got to take it to the place that made that offer to you.

The law is there to protect the consumer by ensuring competition in the auto repair and maintenance market and giving the consumer a choice, thereby hopefully forcing shops to do their best work and offer decent prices. So shop around! It's your right!