Is it mandatory to service at 4S stores during the three-year warranty period?

[Iker]

Vehicle maintenance during the warranty period does not necessarily have to be performed at 4S stores. Here are the relevant details: 1. Repair qualifications: When selecting a repair shop, ensure the enterprise possesses proper maintenance qualifications and can provide: maintenance contracts (work orders), settlement lists, quality inspection reports, parts procurement proof (factory certificates), completion certificates (copies), and maintenance records (with electronic maintenance platforms) to qualify for the three-guarantee policy. 2. Note: Except for the first free maintenance at a 4S store, if other services are performed elsewhere, the quality of engine oil cannot be guaranteed. Improper maintenance that causes issues will void the warranty. Failure to provide the aforementioned documentation will disqualify you from the three-guarantee policy.

[AdrianDella]

I remember struggling with this issue when I bought my new car. If I don't get maintenance done at the 4S shop during the manufacturer's three-year warranty period, will it affect the warranty? From my experience, it's a bit complicated. Generally speaking, the manufacturer's warranty manual recommends going to authorized service points for maintenance, but this isn't necessarily mandatory. I've checked the policies, and many countries now have regulations requiring manufacturers not to discriminate against owners who get maintenance done elsewhere, as long as you can prove that proper parts were used and the work was done by qualified technicians, the warranty should still be valid. However, there are risks. I have a friend who saved money by getting maintenance done at a small shop, but when he filed a claim later, the manufacturer's technician found the engine oil didn't meet standards, voiding the warranty. He ended up paying out of pocket for a new engine. So my suggestion is to stick with the 4S shop for maintenance during the first three years - they have professional equipment and record systems, making claims much easier if problems arise. After all, when you've spent tens of thousands on a car, saving a few hundred on maintenance isn't worth risking bigger losses. Of course, if you're confident in an outside shop's reliability and keep all invoices and service records, that's an option, but why invite trouble?

[LeJackson]

Is it mandatory to have all maintenance done at the 4S shop during the three-year warranty period? I think we need to analyze the economic aspect. The car is newly purchased, and no one wants to waste money on excessive maintenance. 4S shops do charge significantly higher—just an oil change can cost hundreds more. However, from a cost-saving perspective, I've explored that it's not a strict policy requirement; automakers cannot deny warranty coverage simply because you went elsewhere for service. The key is to keep evidence, such as using qualified chain shops for each maintenance, ensuring parts are sourced legitimately, and keeping invoices. For my own older car, I used the 4S shop for the first two years, then switched to a repair shop run by an acquaintance. When a minor issue arose and I needed to claim warranty, the manufacturer requested maintenance records—those invoices saved the day. The cost-saving strategy is about balance: spend the first few months at the 4S shop to familiarize yourself with the process, then switch later to save. Overall, to be safe, start with the 4S shop and consider cost-saving options after the first year—this minimizes risk while still taking advantage of benefits.

[DiDeclan]

Car warranty is a matter that concerns daily safety, and choosing the right maintenance location during the three-year warranty period is quite important. I drive a lot and have been following this topic for a long time. From a policy perspective, manufacturers encourage servicing at 4S shops to ensure uniform maintenance standards, but legally, it's allowed to do it elsewhere. In practice, if you opt for cheaper maintenance at unlicensed shops with poor skills or fake oil, you'll face significant hurdles when claiming for major issues later. I've witnessed a car accident case where the manufacturer denied a claim for steering system failure due to incomplete maintenance records from a non-4S shop. For safety, I recommend sticking to 4S shops for all maintenance—they have original factory data and professional training, enabling them to detect potential issues early and reduce the risk of breakdowns on the road. Of course, if you're very knowledgeable about cars and can closely supervise every step of an external mechanic's work, that's also an option. But most people don’t have the time or energy for that. Don’t risk big losses for small savings—the few dozen dollars saved per maintenance session just aren’t worth it.