Last updated 2 months ago
One of the questions new car owners face is who they can get their cars serviced by without voiding their warranties.
Is it fine to take the car to a third-party mechanic?
The short answer is yes. The long answer is: as long as you abide by certain conditions.
New car warranties
Car dealerships like to encourage their customers to return their new purchases to the dealership for servicing. Many customers are understandably reluctant to do this, as dealerships tend to charge a lot more for the same service than third-party mechanics, but are worried about what taking it elsewhere would mean for their warranty.
Dealers often imply that it is a condition of the warranty that the car be serviced only at the dealership. In this, they walk a very delicate legal line. According to Australia’s competition laws, making dealership servicing a condition of the warranty would be anti-competitive and therefore illegal. So while dealers cannot legally insist on dealership servicing, they may be conspicuously quiet about the freedom purchasers have to take their vehicles elsewhere.
Your rights and responsibilities
The Australian Competition & Consumer Commission has the following advice: any repairs covered by the warranty should be undertaken, free of charge, by the dealership, but general servicing can be performed elsewhere, so long as it is carried out by qualified staff, according to the manufacturer’s specifications, and using genuine or appropriate quality parts.
‘Appropriate quality parts’ are not necessarily only those of the car manufacturer, however, but any parts so long as they are appropriate to the purposes of the repair. In other words, so long as your mechanic is a professional, it’s fine to take your car elsewhere for servicing.
Professional mechanics in Western Australia
For competitively priced servicing that preserves your new car warranty in Western Australia call 1300 619 267 or visit the professionals at one of Auto Masters’ many garages.
Last updated 2 months ago
Just as you would when buying a new television or computer – or a even a new car – it’s important to ensure that you always get a warranty for any servicing carried out on your vehicle. A warranty on servicing is a guarantee that what you are paying for is the work of a professional, and that it will not suddenly go wrong and need more work to fix. The warranty provides peace of mind that, should anything go wrong with the work in the near future, that it can be fixed at no extra charge to you.
Know your rights
Whenever you get any mechanical work carried out on your car, make sure that you know upfront about the warranty conditions that the work carries. As well as ensuring your rights in the event of the work being faulty, a readily available warranty – or the lack of one – reflects in general upon the professionalism of your mechanic. Legally, all service providers in Australia have to adhere to certain minimum standards so that you get what you pay for, but a formal warranty provides you with certain assurances above and beyond these.
Warranties at Auto Masters
At Auto Masters, we’re proud of the quality of the work we do, and believe it holds up against the highest industry standards. That’s why we stand by what we do: all tuning and servicing work comes with a warranty covering six months or 10,000 kilometres, whichever comes first, and all brake work with a warranty for 12 months or 24,000 kilometres, whichever comes first.
Mechanic services with full warranties in Perth
For the peace of mind of professional mechanical repairs covered by complete warranties, call 1300 619 267 or visit the friendly professionals at Auto Masters.
Last updated 2 months ago
Have you ever taken your car to a mechanic for a tune-up only to come away with the sense that car is still not performing quite right, or not as well it is could be? If your car is still not performing at its best even after a professional tune-up, a complete carbon clean may be in order.
Why Carbon Cleaning? Since the first time your car was driven off the factory floor, it has been collecting dirt, varnish and carbon deposits in its fuel system, intake valves, cylinders and pistons. Over time, these deposits can reduce your car’s performance and fuel economy, cause irregular noises, and even lead to costly engine problems. This is why your car can sometimes still feel sluggish or not quite right even after a tune-up. Carbon cleaning is the answer.
The Carbon Cleaning Process
Carbon cleaning is a professional process that will clean out your entire fuel system, including the injectors, and remove carbon deposits that reduce your car’s performance. The process can save you money in the long-term, not just by pre-empting the need for major engine repairs down the line, but by improving your day-to-day fuel efficiency. It is suitable for a wide variety of vehicles.
Carbon Cleaning in Perth and Regional Western Australia If your car is not performing at its peak, a complete carbon clean may solve the problem. For a quote, call the qualified professionals on 1300 619 267 or visit Auto Masters at one of their many garages in Perth and regional Western Australia.
Last updated 2 months ago
In the warmer months, many of us find our air conditioning systems indispensable. Here are a few tips to ensure that your car’s air conditioner continues to keep you cool when you need it most.
Air Conditioner Problems
The most obvious sign of an air conditioner not working is simply that it does not produce any cold air. In this case, it probably needs its refrigerant replaced (‘re-gassing’). Refrigerant leaks from air conditioning units due to vibrations of the engine, movements of the unit’s pipes, or the drying out of valves and seals. Using your air conditioner year-round will stop the seals drying out in winter, and so reduce the amount of refrigerant leakage, so be sure to turn it on periodically even in the colder months of the year.
Another problem involves your system producing fouls smells as a result the build-up of bacteria, mould and fungi. This can be dangerous to your health and that of your passengers. The solution is to have the air conditioning unit professionally flushed out with an anti-bacterial solution and re-gassed.
The Importance of Regular Servicing
Car air conditioners should be serviced every two years as a matter of course. The servicing process involves evacuating and replace the refrigerant gas, replacing the lubricating oil, and performing a system leak test. Keeping your air conditioner regularly serviced, even if it appears to be working fine, will save you money in the long run.
Air Conditioning Repairs in Perth
If your car’s air conditioning system is not functioning correctly or is due for a service, call the friendly professionals at Auto Masters on 1300 619 267. Auto Masters has over 30 garages across Western Australia.
Last updated 2 months ago
Modern cars are complex, sophisticated machines with many different parts and systems all working together, which means that there’s any number of things that can go wrong with them. Keeping yourself, your family and others on the road safe means ensuring that all the different parts of your vehicle are working together effectively and – most importantly – safely.
The 102-Point Safety Report From Auto Masters
Auto Masters’ 102-point safety report, part of any full car service, is a comprehensive check of your car’s health. It involves professional mechanics checking over your car’s tyres, brakes, cooling systems, steering, engine, oil filter, spark plugs, front and rear lights, and numerous others parts you probably didn’t know were there. It’s one of the most detailed checks in the industry.
Regular Check-ups Can Save You Money in the Long Run
To keep your vehicle running at its peak you should have it serviced every six months. A 102-point safety report twice a year can help you identify and remedy any small problems with your vehicle before they turn into large, expensive ones. Don’t wait for something substantial to go wrong with your car before getting it seen to: just as with looking after your own health, prevention is always better – and cheaper – than a cure.
Comprehensive Car Safety Reports in Perth
For a 102-point safety check and report from the professionals at Auto Masters call 1300 619 267 or visit one of our branches. Auto Masters has almost 40 garages in Perth, regional Western Australia and Sydney, so there’s bound to be one near you.
