It is a little known fact that you have the right to decide where your vehicle is serviced, maintained and repaired, at competitive prices.

Looking forward to the end of year car sales in hopes of a bargain or are looking to ge your new car serviced for the holidays? Here is some sound advice from Wilkie's Auto Centre in Bongaree.

Getting a new car is one of the biggest investments you are likely to make, so the smart approach is to see to it that you ensure proper 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.

It is a little known fact that you have the right to decide who services your new car without voiding either the manufacturers warranty or your rights under the Consumer Guarantee

You cannot be forced to take the car back to the dealership where you originally purchased it for service or repairs. Provided the work is performed to the manufacturers specifications by a properly qualified person and uses acceptable 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 Wilkie's Auto Centre mechanic is fully qualified and Auto-Tech trained, giving them access to Australia's leading provider of automotive technical information and training. This means Wilkie's Auto Centre 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. Wilkie's Auto Centre 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 separation 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 invalidated 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 buying your new vehicle, be aware of new car dealers who may try to bundle “express” or “extended” warranties, often for free. Normally these ‘supplemental' warranties may include quite distinct restrictions or provisions, and can be written in confusing or unclear language. Many times these transactions provide little or no additional benefits not already given by the consumer's basic statutory rights and can tie the unwary buyer into a long term agreement with a particular car dealership.

Such transactions are very unlikely to highlight the potential negative aspects involved with taking a new car back to the dealer for service or repair. This includes how long the drive will be 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.