Yes. You can have a car under warranty serviced at an independent garage without losing the warranty. The rules, known as block exemption, say a manufacturer cannot make you use its dealers for servicing, as long as the work is done to the manufacturer's standards and with parts of matching quality.
In practice the dealer is not the only place that can keep your warranty alive. What matters is the schedule, the parts and the paperwork.
What has to be true for the warranty to stay valid
- The service follows the manufacturer's schedule for your model, at the right time or mileage.
- The oil, fluids and parts meet the manufacturer's specification, using original equipment parts or the same quality.
- The work is carried out properly by qualified technicians.
- The service is recorded, in the service book or digitally, with the date and mileage.
What to ask a garage
- Do you follow the manufacturer's service schedule for my exact car?
- Which oil and parts will you use, and do they meet the manufacturer's specification?
- How is the service recorded, and will it show in the history?
- Do you guarantee your work? We give a 12-month warranty on parts and labour for repairs using parts supplied by us.
What you should keep
Keep every invoice and the stamped service book, or the digital record. If a claim ever comes up, the paperwork shows the car was serviced on time and properly. Tell the garage the car is under warranty when you book, so it is handled that way from the start.
Why people choose an independent garage
Mostly because they get the same standard of care at a fairer price, from people they can speak to directly. Several of our team come from main dealerships, so the standard is the same. You deal with someone who knows you and your car.
Read more in our block exemption guide, or see our manufacturer-specific servicing.
Quick answers
Will servicing outside the dealer void my warranty?
No. As long as the service follows the manufacturer's schedule and uses suitable parts, your warranty stays valid.
Do I need to use genuine parts?
You need parts that are of matching quality to original equipment. We use OE quality parts for cars under warranty.
Does it affect the car's resale value?
A full, recorded service history helps the value, whoever carried out the work.
Do you service cars under warranty?
Yes, all the time. Let us know when you book.