Can I skip maintenance at a 4S dealership during the car warranty period?
2 Answers
Maintenance outside 4S dealerships is permissible during the warranty period. The definition of warranty period and specific reasons are explained below: Definition of warranty period: Warranty refers to the assurance that product quality meets standards. Essentially, it represents a fundamental quality guarantee inherent to any product, not to be misconstrued as providing lifetime repairs. Specific reasons: While maintenance outside 4S shops is allowed during warranty, manufacturers may deny claims if issues arise after unauthorized external servicing. For vehicles under warranty, 4S dealership maintenance is strongly recommended. China's Three Guarantees policy stipulates that consumers must use manufacturer-authorized 4S shops for maintenance to qualify for coverage. Those seeking Three Guarantees after non-4S maintenance must provide documentation including the repair shop's qualifications, material lists, service items, quality inspection reports, workshop certificates, and procurement proofs. Automotive maintenance refers to periodic preventive work involving inspection, cleaning, replenishment, lubrication, adjustment, or replacement of certain components, also known as vehicle upkeep.
When it comes to whether you can skip dealership maintenance during the car's warranty period, based on my years of driving experience, I'd advise caution. Manufacturers' warranty terms usually require you to perform regular maintenance at authorized dealerships to ensure they won't deny coverage if issues arise. For example, I once tried saving money by getting basic services like oil changes and filter replacements at small independent shops, but when the battery failed later, the manufacturer refused the warranty claim due to incomplete maintenance records, costing me thousands. While China's consumer protection laws like the Three Guarantees Policy allow maintenance at independent shops, you must provide official invoices and documents proving the use of genuine or equivalent-quality parts. This can be quite cumbersome, especially for sensor or electronic system issues where independent shops may lack proper diagnostic equipment, potentially leaving hidden problems. My recommendation is to stick with dealership service during the warranty period—paying a bit more for peace of mind—and explore cost-saving alternatives only after the warranty expires.
