Does no service void warantee?

Katykat

Bought car 2 yrs ago. The 3 yr warantee said we had to have it serviced at either 1 yr or 12000 miles. We don't drive long distances so the first service was due at 1 yr. all they did was check levels of oil and fluids. The 2 nd yr service is now due at which they change the filters. However, we have still only driven 8000 miles and don't think the filters need changing yet. Of course, they want £320 for doing this and we are reluctant to pay. With 1 yr left on the warantee, if we don't have it serviced, will it void the warantee.. I'm of the mind that if there was a serious problem with the car, it should be guaranteed whether we have it serviced or not.

ian103

no service = void warranty.

flashg67

Sorry, but as ian103 said.

A level check is not a service. The oil etc still needs changing as it degrades over time & mileage and things need to be checked to ensure any potential problems are caught early - this is for your and other road-users safety too. You don't have to use a dealer, but the service must be done by a VAT registered garage, and the correct service items done as per the manufacturers instructions to retain warranty.

Edit - some cars don't need oil change until 18k miles or more, but still need an interim service - what make/model is it?

OddballJamie

What car is it? As that price seems kinda high for a 2nd service.

If you want to keep with the main dealer, do not be afraid to haggle, I've never paid full price for a main dealer service. I've used car club/forum membership to get either the parts or labour discounted, got them to price beat other national dealers and just asked them outright for a discount as I'm a loyal customer and may purchase my next car with them. This has worked for my last four cars which I've had main service history on.

forgotmyname

8000 miles..... My car would have had or be close to its 2nd service at that mileage.

Short journey's and low mileage cars require servicing more often.

Katykat

Its a Nissan Qashqi and my husband checks the oil and water levels regularly. In the old days, he always had his head under the bonnet of a car and he has an NVQ in car maintenance. Nowadays, with everything computerised he leaves it to the experts. But £320 for a 2nd service just seems ridiculous. Surely though, every car has to be at least " fit for purpose". If there was a major fault, won't they still be responsible?

ian103

Had the same dilema myself, eventually accepted no service = void warranty. Tried a few VAT registered garages and the costs were cheaper but similar and eventually spoke to service manager and explained about my low useage since last service, he came up with a couple of suggestions that reduced the costs and I got a main dealer stamp on the service book.

bigjl

I would strongly suspect that the oil was changed at the first service.


Low mileage, stop start use is considered severe service by most manufacturers.

Unburnt fuel can end up in the oil causing all kinds of issues.

Egr valves and brakes can become sticky with lack of use.

Your post sadly confirms what I have always said about low mileage cars, they can be a minefield.

Missed services due to the owner thinking it won't matter as they don't use it much.

You know you need to service it.

That fact you came on here to ask tells me that you were not confident that it was the correct course of action.

The price is certainly significant.

Nothing wrong with phoning around.

Try main dealers a bit further away.

Though as a main dealer will be giving you a courtesy car sometimes their prices actually are better value than they seem at first.

On a two year old car a non main dealer service history will impact your residuals.

The older the car the less it matters as long as the work is done.

Block exemption means your warranty is all good.

But when your car is three years old, the warranty is finished and you look to trade it in those Joe Bob Garage Ltd stamps won't help your resale value.

Dealers look for every reason to chip your trade in price down.

As mentioned if you are in it for the long haul then service it where you want.

But make sure they use decent oil and make sure it gets at least one oil change a year. Regardless of your annual miles.

neilmcl

Katykat wrote: »

Surely though, every car has to be at least " fit for purpose". If there was a major fault, won't they still be responsible?

Not if that fault was due the car not being maintained correctly or serviced regularly they wouldn't.

mattyprice4004

Katykat wrote: »

Its a Nissan Qashqi and my husband checks the oil and water levels regularly. In the old days, he always had his head under the bonnet of a car and he has an NVQ in car maintenance. Nowadays, with everything computerised he leaves it to the experts. But £320 for a 2nd service just seems ridiculous. Surely though, every car has to be at least " fit for purpose". If there was a major fault, won't they still be responsible?

So you think they're still responsible if you don't change the oil for 2 years and your engine goes bang?

Haha, OK. Would love to see how that went down.

TradePro

Katykat wrote: »

we have still only driven 8000 miles and don't think the filters need changing yet

Out of interest, if this wasn't a chargeable job and the dealer paid for them to be changed, would you still think they didn't need doing yet?