Were you aware that you are free to choose where your vehicle is serviced, maintained and repaired, at competitive prices.

Looking for bargains in the end of year car sales or thinking about having your new car serviced in time for christmas? Here is some sound advice from Western Port Automotive Services in Hastings.

Buying a new car is one of the major investments you'll make, so it is logical to make sure to take care of it. Caring for your new car goes beyond detailing the interior and keeping it sparkling with a loving weekly wash, however.

There are a few other things to consider, such as who is the best choice to service your car.

You will want to ensure it is regularly serviced by a qualified professional, to the manufacturers requirements, using high quality parts from a reputable supplier and fluids which meet the manufacturers specifications. This is not just to look after your new car, but because if these four requirements are met you will also preserve the manufacturers warranty.

Were you aware that you are free to choose the best workshop to service your new car without voiding either the manufacturers warranty or your rights under the Consumer Guarantee

You are not required to go back to the dealership where you originally bought it for service or repairs. Provided the work is effected to the manfufacturers specifications by an acceptably skilled person and uses sufficient quality parts and fluids, the warranty stands. You have the right to choose who services your car.

With Repco Authorised Service you can tick all the boxes. Every Western Port Automotive Services mechanic is fully qualified and Auto-Tech trained, giving them access to Australia's leading provider of automotive technical information and training. This means Western Port Automotive Services mechanics are kept fully up to date with the latest in automotive service techniques and are able to service your new car without voiding the warranty.

Repco branded parts & products are manufactured to stringent Repco quality standards, and are covered by the Repco Nationwide Warranty, giving you added protection. Western Port Automotive Services will also only ever use fluids and lubricants that meet the specifications of the manufacturer of the vehicle.

Make sure you are aware of the diversity between manufacturer, statutory and express warranties to ensure you make the right decisions when it comes to servicing your new car. You are automatically covered by a statutory warranty, also known as a Consumer Guarantee, under Australian Consumer Law (ACL) and this statutory protection can never be over-ridden by manufacturer or express warranties (which are offered by the car maker and car dealer respectively).

A lack of disclosure requirements on car dealers at the point of sale regarding these contracts can easily lead the consumer into making a choice to be bound by a long term contract without access to all of the details needed to make a properly informed decision.

So when processing the sale of your new car, be vigilant for new car dealers who may try to factor in “express” or “extended” warranties, often for free. Normally these ‘supplemental' warranties may include quite comprehensive restrictions or provisions, usually in unclear or confusing language. Many times these transactions provide no substantial additional benefits which exceed the consumer's basic statutory rights and can tie the unwary buyer into a long term agreement with a specific car dealership.

Such transactions are very unlikely to bring to your attention the potential negative aspects involved with taking a new car back to the dealer for service or repair. This includes the distance you may need to travel to get your car serviced or longer waiting times due to fewer available service locations or mechanics.

Check out our frequently asked questions below for more information on New Car Service and warranties. If you need to know more, the AAAA website and ACCC website have some great information too.

Under Australian Consumer Law (ACL), you are protected by a Consumer Guarantee which takes into account purchase price, realistic expectations of when a failure might occur, advertising claims and the conditions under which a vehicle should operate. Previously known as a Statutory Warranty, the Consumer Guarantee does not have a specific time limit associated with it nor can it ever be replaced by a manufacturers warranty, which is in addition to the Consumer Guarantee.

Manufacturers warranties are essentially a promise to the buyer that the new vehicle will be free from defects for a specific time and that any such defects will entitle buyers to a repair or other compensation. According to the Competition and Consumer Act (2010), such warranties cannot state that a vehicle MUST be returned to an authorised dealer for servicing

Often new car dealers will try to include "express" or "extended" warranties, sometimes for free, in the purchase of your new vehicle. These ‘extra' warranties are in addition to the manufacturers warranty and may include quite specific restrictions or provisions, usually in unclear or confusing language. Many of these contracts actually provide little or no additional benefits over and above the consumer's basic statutory rights and can tie the unwary buyer into a long term agreement with a specific car dealership. Extended warranties can (and often do) restrict you to a specific dealership, which can have its drawbacks.

There is NO requirement to service your car at a manufacturer's dealership to preserve;

• Any manufacturer's warranty (that may apply to your vehicle).
• Any state or territory based statutory warranty (that may apply to your vehicle).
• Your rights to Consumer Guarantees (formerly known as implied statutory warranties).

Western Port Automotive Services are fully qualified to carry out log book servicing and we ensure all work is performed according to the manufacturer's specifications, using appropriate quality parts, fluids and lubricants where required, meaning the manufacturers warranty remains intact. In addition, all work carried out by Western Port Automotive Services is backed by the Repco Authorised Service Nationwide Warranty.

Western Port Automotive Services can and WILL stamp your log book to verify the work has been conducted by fully qualified staff according to manufacturer's specifications, using appropriate quality parts, fluids & lubricants.

It goes without saying that a vehicle which has been well taken care of will maintain its value better than a poorly maintained one. Proof of a regular, properly adhered to service schedule will add further supporting evidence the car is in good condition. In addition to maintaining your warranty with correct service procedures, Western Port Automotive Services will stamp your log book, which can prove invaluable should you ever decide to sell the car.

Motor vehicle dealers sometimes offer their own extended (or express) warranties on vehicles. These extra warranties often begin after the manufacturer's warranty and may stipulate that the vehicle must be serviced by the actual dealer offering the warranty. They are generally within their right to impose this condition, but the buyer should beware, such warranties are not always what they seem. Western Port Automotive Services will be happy to advise you on the conditions and relative value before you commit to any service plan.