Missing a service on your car, modifying it, writing it off, or using it in a way it was not intended to be used can void the manufacturer’s warranty and make you the one responsible for paying for repairs.
A new vehicle generally comes with a warranty that covers the owner against mechanical failure when the car ceases to function as expected, which applies for a certain amount of time – generally three to five years, or before the odometer reaches 100,000km, depending on the manufacturer.
A warranty encompasses factory defects, electronics, and problems with mechanical components such as the engine, gearbox, clutch, and fuel and cooling systems, amongst other smaller bits and pieces.
However, a warranty can be seen as a contract between the buyer and the manufacturer, said car insurance experts MotorHappy, so it’s essential to adhere to the terms and conditions of the agreement or risk voiding it and potentially being stuck with a hefty repair bill.
Missing a service
Every vehicle has a certain service interval in which it must be serviced to remain efficient and reliable.
Most warranties have a grace period after missing a service, whether it be a certain time or number of kilometres, but if this grace period is overstepped, it could void the after-sales contract.
Modifications
Altering your car’s bodywork or engine can cancel the warranty as there’s no guarantee of the quality of the work that was done, nor surety of the adverse effects it may have on the vehicle itself.
“However, some modifications are allowed, so once again it’s important to check the warranty Ts and Cs before making changes to your vehicle,” said MotorHappy.
“Manufacturer-approved upgrades and modifications usually come with warranties of their own, so if you’re passionate about upgrading your car, rather work with the vehicle manufacturer.”
This could be more expensive than sourcing the upgrades yourself, but it’s usually the safer choice.
Misuse
If you use your daily driver in a way it was not supposed to be used – like taking your hatchback off-roading, drag racing your sedan, or overloading your bakkie when moving houses – it could lead to the warranty not being honoured.
“If your car is damaged while you are ‘misusing’ it, any warranty claims could be denied,” said the experts.
Write off
Perhaps the most obvious mistake one could make to void their ride’s warranty is writing it off.
If a car is written off it was likely the result of the driver or a third party, and not the manufacturer itself. Additionally, for a car to be written off it must be deemed uneconomical to repair, in other words, the damages must be pricier to repair than what the car is realistically worth.
In this scenario, the warranty is automatically invalidated, said MotorHappy.
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