Does a car not enjoy the three guarantees if it is not maintained at a 4S store?
2 Answers
The "Regulations on the Administration of Motor Vehicle Maintenance" clearly stipulate that manufacturers and 4S stores cannot refuse to provide warranty services for vehicles on the grounds that maintenance was not performed at an officially authorized store, meaning car owners are free to choose their repair locations. Except for automobile manufacturers fulfilling their responsibilities for defective automobile product recalls and the "three guarantees" for automobile quality, no unit or individual may force or covertly force the designation of maintenance operators. Below is additional information: Relevant regulations: The commonly referred to automobile "three guarantees" refer to the "Regulations on the Repair, Replacement, and Return Liability of Household Automobile Products," implemented by the former General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine on October 1, 2013, also abbreviated as the automobile "three guarantees" regulations. These regulations require automobile product producers, sellers, and repairers to undertake repair, replacement, or return actions for automobile products due to quality issues during the warranty period.
My friend has been struggling with this issue for a while. His car has always been serviced at a small shop near his home, but when the air conditioning broke down and he went to the 4S store to claim warranty, they said that improper maintenance might affect the three-guarantee service. However, the national regulations are clear: the three-guarantee rights are not contingent on maintenance being done at a 4S store. The law explicitly prohibits forcing consumers to use designated maintenance points. As long as consumers can prove that their maintenance is legitimate and meets the manufacturer's requirements—for example, if the fault is unrelated to maintenance—they can continue to enjoy the warranty. The key is to keep detailed records of each maintenance session, including invoices and repair receipts, otherwise the 4S store might find excuses to shirk responsibility. In short, it all comes down to evidence—don’t cut corners. I suggest choosing a reliable shop for regular maintenance and preparing all necessary documents in advance if issues arise, so you can argue your case confidently. This way, you save money and have peace of mind.
