Servicing & Manufacturer Warranties

Your rights under the Consumer Guarantees Act (CGA) cannot be removed simply because you chose not to use the selling dealer's workshop.

A vehicle dealer may encourage you to get your vehicle serviced with them and there are some good reasons for that (see below), however, using a qualified independent mechanic should be low risk provided servicing follows the manufacturer's guidelines and specifications, appropriate parts and the correct fluids are used and service intervals are maintained.

But there are caveats. If the independent repairer’s workmanship directly caused the fault being claimed, or any future fault relating to a repair outside the dealer network of course the manufacturer may legitimately decline a claim even though the vehicle is still in the manufacturer’s warranty period. 

Do I need to use genuine manufacturer parts to keep my warranty valid?

Equivalent parts that meet manufacturer specifications are generally acceptable, however, if a non-genuine part fails and causes damage to your vehicle, that specific damage may not be covered under your manufacturer's warranty. 

It’s worth bearing in mind that aftermarket parts providers may offer their own warranty in the event you experience issues, and the repair shop would also have reasonable obligations under CGA. 

In the event of any issue, other elements of your warranty unrelated to the defect should remain unaffected. Extended warranties may have stricter requirements, so check the terms.

Why the price difference between an official dealer and an independent repairer?

Dealers are required to invest heavily in manufacturer-specific training, to use manufacturer genuine parts and to use proprietary specialist and diagnostic tools – through which they ensure your car has any recalls addressed and the latest software and firmware updates installed. 

They are also contractually obligated to conduct warranty repair and recall work at no cost to you - all as part of a broader commitment to the brands they serve, which adds cost to those businesses.   

When it comes to the very latest vehicle models, a brand specific dealership is more likely to be able to solve complex electrical or software-related issues – largely because they have the information, tools and technical access that independents may lack.

By contrast, many independent repairers are also highly-trained and skilled and have the benefit of experience with a far wider spectrum of vehicles. 

There are multiple consumer offers in general service and repair from express oil changers to high-end diagnostic and repair businesses.  We recommend regardless of the age of your vehicle that you choose an MTA member first because of the member standards to which they are held and the free dispute mediation service available to support in the unlikely event of issue.

What about if I use an independent 'authorised repairer' or ‘manufacturer approved service agent’ for my vehicle while in its warranty period?

Authorised repairers will be required to complete relevant manufacturer training and have access to required manufacturer tools and technical information.

For most warranty and servicing purposes, they should be treated as equivalent to a dealer. However, if you hold a conditional extended warranty, confirm in writing with the warranty provider that an authorised repairer satisfies the servicing requirements, as terms may vary.

Note:  A general mechanical repair business may claim to be a ‘specialist’ of a particular brand (and many of them are excellent), but that isn’t the same as being an authorised repairer or agent. Check to see that the repairer has some kind of brand issued certificate, specifically stating their endorsement from the manufacturer. 

What is the Consumer Guarantees Act (CGA), and how is it different from my warranty?

The CGA is a law that automatically gives you rights when you buy goods or services from a trader - including new and used cars. You don't need to do anything to get these rights and they cannot be taken away from you, even if you sign something that says otherwise.

Any car sold by a dealer must be of 'acceptable quality' and ‘fit for the purpose’. What meets these requirements depends heavily on vehicle age, price, kilometres travelled, and the condition of the vehicle at the time of sale.

A manufacturer's warranty, on the other hand, is a voluntary promise made by the manufacturer or dealer on top of your legal rights. It typically sets out specific things they will fix, for free, within a set time period – typically containing exclusions and conditions that limit what is covered.

Your warranty and CGA sit side by side. But your CGA rights exist whether or not there is a warranty and they can sometimes cover you even after a manufacturer's warranty has expired - particularly if a fault appears sooner than a reasonable person would expect for a vehicle of that type, age, kilometres and price.

How about extended warranties?

It’s important to read the fine print.  Extended warranties are voluntary contracts and their terms are often more restrictive than your standard factory warranty.

Most extended warranties explicitly require dealer servicing to remain valid.  They are best viewed as a loyalty strategy by the manufacturer – if you service your car with them, they’ll cover you for longer.  If you don’t, they won’t.

Note that neither the factory nor extended warranties affect your basic CGA rights. 

Can’t you just give a straight answer?  Do I need to take my car to the approved dealer to maintain the warranty or not?

We also wish this were simpler, but it’s the same the world over and not without reason. 

Consumers can and do have rights when it comes to the continued performance of their vehicle.  Though understandably, when things go wrong, no party wants to pay for something that wasn’t their fault and determining where fault lies is rarely clear cut. 

It’s up to you to do the value equation and decide which option works best for your needs, wants and circumstances. 

If you do find yourself with issues, support is available - either through the MTA dispute mediation service (if you purchased or serviced your vehicle through an MTA member) or the Motor Vehicle Disputes Tribunal (MVDT), who are the ultimate arbiter. 

If my car is out of manufacturer’s warranty, does this any of this apply?

The same considerations outlined apply, but without needing to have any concern about maintaining your warranty.

Disclaimer: The information contained in this document is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. It is intended to provide a broad overview of consumer rights in New Zealand relating to vehicle warranties and servicing and should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional legal advice tailored to your specific circumstances. Whilst every effort has been made to ensure accuracy at the time of publication, legislation and regulatory frameworks may change. We accept no liability for any loss or damage arising from reliance on this information. For advice specific to your situation, please consult a qualified legal professional, Consumer NZ, your local Community Law Centre, or the Motor Vehicle Disputes Tribunal.  If the business is an MTA member, the MTA Mediation service is free and may also be able to assist.