Does Not Going to a 4S Shop for Maintenance Affect the Warranty?
4 Answers
New cars not being maintained at a 4S shop will not affect the warranty. The specific reasons are as follows: 1. According to the "Consumer Rights and Interests Protection Law of the People's Republic of China": Article 26 "Business operators shall not, through standard terms, notices, announcements, shop notices, etc., make provisions that exclude or restrict consumer rights, reduce or exempt business operators' responsibilities, or increase consumer responsibilities, which are unfair and unreasonable to consumers, nor shall they use standard terms and technical means to force transactions. Standard terms, notices, announcements, shop notices, etc., containing the aforementioned contents are invalid. 2. Article 11 of the "Guiding Opinions on Promoting the Transformation and Upgrading of the Automobile Maintenance Industry and Improving Service Quality" stipulates: Manufacturers shall not refuse to provide maintenance services on the grounds that the car has chosen non-authorized maintenance services during the "three guarantees" period, unless the 4S shop can prove that the fault was caused by improper maintenance or repair by the car owner elsewhere, otherwise, it shall bear the responsibility for repair in accordance with the law.
After buying a new car, I've been torn about where to get maintenance. I heard that skipping the dealership might void the warranty, which worries me. From my experience, manufacturer warranty terms usually require service at authorized centers, or claims could be denied. Checking the owner's manual, I noticed it stresses using genuine parts and approved techniques to prove maintenance compliance. Opting for cheaper independent shops risks footing the bill for engine failures—penny-wise but pound-foolish. I recommend thoroughly reading the manual and consulting your dealership to avoid costly mistakes. Always keep detailed service records as proof, because skimping on maintenance can lead to major financial risks.
In my career as a car mechanic, I often encounter car owners asking about maintenance issues. The key is to use compliant parts and certified technicians, otherwise the warranty may be void. I've seen dealerships strictly check records and shift responsibility once irregularities are found. The manual specifies maintenance at authorized service points, but some brands allow external shops to prove their qualifications. I recommend car owners choose reliable third-party services and keep invoices, not overlooking quality risks. Warranties are complex, requiring a balance between saving money and reliability to avoid hidden costs.
I always want to save money by choosing non-dealer maintenance. Theoretically, does it affect the warranty? I understand the manual specifies using authorized services to avoid issues. If there's sufficient evidence proving maintenance meets standards, it might be fine, but the probability of pushback when a fault occurs is high. I recommend doing some maintenance at the dealer for critical parts to save money and time. The warranty is protection—don't risk losing coverage.
