Where to Maintain a Parallel Imported Vehicle?
2 Answers
Parallel imported vehicles should be maintained at the brand's authorized service centers. Below is relevant information about parallel imported vehicles: 1. Parallel imported vehicles come with warranties, which are provided by third-party contractors. 2. Vehicles sold in free trade zones require customers to purchase whole-vehicle warranty insurance. 3. Whole-vehicle warranty insurance is divided into two types: major component warranty and whole-vehicle warranty. The major component warranty primarily covers insurance for the vehicle's key parts. 4. The replacement warranty is valid for two years or 50,000 kilometers (whichever comes first), while the warranty for wear-and-tear parts lasts for one month or 2,000 kilometers (whichever comes first). Therefore, as long as the vehicle is purchased from a legitimate parallel importer, the dealer must provide warranty services.
I just picked up a parallel-imported car, and the maintenance location is indeed a headache. At first, I went directly to the official 4S dealership, but they said they couldn't service it because the VIN wasn't in their system. Later, I asked a few car enthusiasts and found quite a few reliable solutions. The easiest option is to find repair shops that specialize in imported cars—they stock all kinds of niche parts and can even handle things like US-spec turn signals. Large chain quick-service shops also work, like Tuhu, which has standardized processes in their own workshops, uses genuine oil and filters, and offers convenient booking. If your city has after-sales service centers run by parallel import dealers, that's even better—for example, many big dealers in Tianjin Port operate their own maintenance centers using OEM parts with warranties. As a last resort, you can try high-end repair shops—I once found a local shop that services Porsches, and the mechanics were even familiar with European fuel systems. Just avoid roadside stalls at all costs—my friend once tried to save money and ended up with an incompatible oil filter that leaked.
