It is not common knowledge that you are free to choose where your vehicle is serviced, maintained and repaired, at competitive prices

Purchasing a new car is one of the most significant investments most people make, so it's common sense to do your best to ensure its proper care. Caring for your new car goes beyond detailing the interior and keeping it sparkling with a loving weekly wash.

There are a few other things to consider, such as who is the best choice to service your car.

You will want to ensure it is regularly serviced by a qualified professional, to the manufacturers requirements, using high quality parts from a reputable supplier and fluids which meet the manufacturers specifications. This is not just to look after your new car, but because if these four requirements are met, you will also preserve the manufacturers warranty.

It is not common knowledge that you are free to choose who you would like to service your new car without voiding either the manufacturers warranty or your rights under the Consumer Guarantee

Nobody can force you to return a new car to the dealer you acquired it from for service or repairs. Provided the work is only done to the manufacturers specifications by an acceptably trained person and uses good quality parts and fluids, the warranty stands. You have the right to choose who services your car.

With Repco Authorised Service you can tick all the boxes. Every Dowsetts Automotive Services mechanic is fully qualified and Auto-Tech trained, giving them access to Australia's leading provider of automotive technical information and training. This means Dowsetts Automotive Services mechanics are kept fully up to date with the latest in automotive service techniques and are able to service your new car without voiding the warranty.

Repco branded parts & products are manufactured to stringent Repco quality standards, and are covered by the Repco Nationwide Warranty, giving you added protection. Dowsetts Automotive Services will also only ever use fluids and lubricants that meet the specifications of the manufacturer of the car.

Make sure you are aware of the variances between statutory, manufacturer and extended warranties to help you make the right choice when it comes to servicing your new car. You are automatically covered by a statutory warranty, also known as a Consumer Guarantee, under Australian Consumer Law (ACL) and this statutory protection can never be overruled by manufacturer or express warranties (which are offered by the car maker and car dealer respectively).

A lack of disclosure requirements on car dealers at the point of sale regarding these contracts can easily lead the consumer into making a choice to be bound by a long term contract without access to all of the details needed to make a properly informed decision.

So when purchasing your new vehicle., be alert for new car dealers who may try to work in “express” or “extended” warranties, often for free. Often these ‘additional' warranties may include quite extensive restrictions or provisions, and often can seem very confusing. Many times these additional extras provide very few additional benefits in excess of the consumer's basic statutory rights and can tie the unwary buyer into a long term agreement with the dealership selling the vehicle.

Such additional extras are very unlikely to alert you to the potential negative aspects involved with taking a new car back to the dealer for service or repair. This includes possible increased travel times to get your car serviced or longer waiting times due to fewer available service locations or mechanics.

Check out our frequently asked questions below for more information on New Car Service and warranties. If you need to know more, the AAAA website and ACCC website have some great information too.