Nearly half of Australian car owners mistakenly believe they must have their vehicle serviced at a dealership to keep their warranties intact, a new national survey has found. Forty-four per cent of those who took part in the poll believe in the myth, which comes out at around five million motorists.

The survey by the Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association, as reported by Australian consumer watchdog CHOICE, showed just how deeply the myth has taken hold down under – not to mention how many owners could be costing themselves extra money by paying more than they have to.

Young couple buying car
4

CHOICE pointed out that the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has found that carmakers’ attempts to convince customers that they must have their vehicles serviced by dealers “was never supportable under consumer law”.

“The simple truth is that you can take your car to any qualified repairer and they can use the parts of their choosing as long as they’re fit for purpose,” CHOICE advised. “It helps to know that so-called ‘aftermarket’ parts are often identical or equivalent to the ‘approved genuine’ parts the dealer uses.

“Despite what you may have heard, your warranty will remain intact under Australian Consumer Law if you never go back to the dealer again.”

However, CHOICE does recognise that finding a repairer with the expertise to service today’s cars can be difficult due to the increasingly complex nature of modern vehicles. An increasing amount of proprietary technology now goes into cars, as well, and manufacturers are within their rights to refuse to share those advances with independent operators.

The watchdog said that is the case despite the Motor Vehicle Service and Repair Information Sharing Scheme coming into effect in July 2022. Enforced by the ACCC, it is supposed to force carmakers to share features like software updates with independent repairers.

Motor Trades Association of Australia CEO Bruce Billson told CHOICE that carmakers are using “implied expectations” to convince motorists that they must use their dealerships, and called on the ACCC to take a tougher line.