Servicing and Warranty

[w0rt3x]

I know a lot of people who refuse to get ripped off by Ford and dealerships, but I was wondering if you were to service your car at your buddy of yours mechanic and not the dealership, how does that impact the warranty of the car/components?

Changing oil and filter is definitely not ~$400 but if I were to do it elsewhere, would I have issues with a warranty claim further down the track (god forbid)?

Has anyone got any links to the fine print for the warranty part?

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[swinetune]

I believe you can go anywhere, as long as it is performed by a qualified mechanic using oem or equivalent parts. Receipts should be kept, in case warranty is needed and it must be done to the Ford service required.
In an emergency situation, where you cannot get to Ford service department.
The repair can be performed and Ford will reimburse costs.

 

[apsilon]

I believe you can go anywhere, as long as it is performed by a qualified mechanic using oem or equivalent parts. Receipts should be kept, in case warranty is needed and it must be done to the Ford service required.
In an emergency situation, where you cannot get to Ford service department.
The repair can be performed and Ford will reimburse costs.

Pretty much this. Needs to be done as per the service book using the correct grade of parts and consumables. personally I always use OEM parts, even filters, so it's one less point that can be argued if it came to that. Keep your receipts etc and you should be good. I know when I do my own intermediate oil and filter changes I even go so far as signing and dating the logbook myself.

 

[w0rt3x]

That's exactly what I wanted to know. I am more than happy to use OEM parts and even do it myself, as long as it doesn't affect the warranty. Cheers!

 

[Frostee]

I agree with the above.

Here's the actual wording from Ford Australia

Can I service my vehicle at a local mechanic? Do I have to service my vehicle at a Ford Dealer?
Ford Dealer staff have Ford designed and delivered technician training, to correctly service your vehicle. All Ford Dealers subscribe to a standard of excellence to "Go Further" for you. Click here to learn more about the benefits of servicing your Ford at an authorised Ford Service Centre.
If you decide to have your vehicle serviced by an independent mechanic, ensure the service coupons in your service manual are correctly validated with the mechanic's stamp, signed and the correct odometer reading recorded. It is also advisable that you retain your service invoice, which will detail the work carried out on your vehicle. This will assist you with any warranty claims that may arise and will also enhance the value of your vehicle.

 

[Fingers]

One thing to keep in mind is that Ford warranty will be more likely to consider an out of warranty claim if it has been serviced by a dealer.
Age, kilometres, owner history (ie are you the original owner), service history AND where it has been serviced are all part of the criteria used to make decisions once the vehicle is out of warranty.

 

[MattB]

One thing to keep in mind is that Ford warranty will be more likely to consider an out of warranty claim if it has been serviced by a dealer.
Age, kilometres, owner history (ie are you the original owner), service history AND where it has been serviced are all part of the criteria used to make decisions once the vehicle is out of warranty.

Definitely agree with this. I had a BA XR8 that developed a faulty valve after warranty expiry. The fact I had it regularly serviced at the same dealer since I had it, played a big factor in the dealer going into bat for me to push the repair through as a warranty job. Saved me probably a couple of thousand dollars for head strip down and rebuild.

 

[w0rt3x]

But you've already over paid those thousands of dollars over the years

 

[King3o0o]

But you've already over paid those thousands of dollars over the years

i take your point, i guess individuals have to consider what is more important to them.

also in the case of [MENTION=24474]swinetune[/MENTION]'s car, to my extremely limited knowledge, i believe dealers have to provide some form of warranty on their services and repairs ?? (i am also sure most mechanics will have to do the same but who knows how good they are at fulfilling that warranty as well, but having said that ford dealers are no better.i personally will do what i always have done. stick to dealerships for the first 3 years/100,000km then to moment that ticks over i go to a local/specialist-ed mechanics.


side not: can the dealer find out if you have done an oil and oil filter change at 1000km when you bring it in at 5000kms or 10000kms services ?

 

[Fingers]

Keep in mind not all dealers are the same.

 

[FordAU]

I know a lot of people who refuse to get ripped off by Ford and dealerships, but I was wondering if you were to service your car at your buddy of yours mechanic and not the dealership, how does that impact the warranty of the car/components?

Changing oil and filter is definitely not ~$400 but if I were to do it elsewhere, would I have issues with a warranty claim further down the track (god forbid)?

Has anyone got any links to the fine print for the warranty part?

Hey there!
The guys above have hit the nail on the head with their responses, however, we wanted to acknowledge your query as well!

Ford Australia recommends servicing through our Ford Dealership Network to ensure your vehicle is being serviced in accordance with the information in your CAWS Guide (Customer Assistance Warranty & Servicing) as well as the use of Ford Genuine Parts.

That being said, you are more than welcome to service your vehicle at an independent mechanic if this is more suitable to you. We urge you to ensure that your chosen mechanic will use Ford Genuine Parts and that they fill out your CAWS Guide (service booklet) correctly. As someone has mentioned above, we also recommend keeping all servicing invoices as a precaution.

Please keep in mind that if an issue arises with your Mustang down the track and this is a direct result of servicing outside of the Ford Dealership Network, this can play a factor in whether or not assistance can be provided by Ford Australia and/or the Dealership you visit for warranty assistance.

Hope this helps! FordService^SB :ford:

 

[Burkey]

I agree with the above.

Here's the actual wording from Ford Australia

Can I service my vehicle at a local mechanic? Do I have to service my vehicle at a Ford Dealer?
Ford Dealer staff have Ford designed and delivered technician training, to correctly service your vehicle. All Ford Dealers subscribe to a standard of excellence to "Go Further" for you. Click here to learn more about the benefits of servicing your Ford at an authorised Ford Service Centre.
If you decide to have your vehicle serviced by an independent mechanic, ensure the service coupons in your service manual are correctly validated with the mechanic's stamp, signed and the correct odometer reading recorded. It is also advisable that you retain your service invoice, which will detail the work carried out on your vehicle. This will assist you with any warranty claims that may arise and will also enhance the value of your vehicle.

A standard of excellence....

Well, I took my car to the local dealership for its 3000km service and thought it best to them the oil and filter done at the same time.
To say I was apprehensive about letting them anywhere near the car would be an understatement (one of their "excellent" boys managed to write-off a customer car a few years ago, driving like a dickhead)

The price was good.

However, they obviously felt that the car needed a test drive, for what reason I don't know, but I certainly hadn't complained of any squeaks rattles or anything of the sort.
Trust me, if there WAS an issue, it would have been there before the 3000kms was up. The pessimist in me feels that given the delivery times on these cars, Ford would do VERY well to be asking the client a very direct question when taking these cars in for service "do you mind if we test drive it?"

Also, they failed to properly tighten a screw from the undertray oil filter access flap. So, the flap was hanging down for who knows how long...
I haven't checked for damage yet but absolutely NONE of this makes me inclined to take the car back to them for any servicing. Seriously, if a screw is too hard, I don't want them anywhere near something crucial.

Buyer beware is all I'm saying.
Rant complete. Not happy.

 

[msweet]

However, they obviously felt that the car needed a test drive, for what reason I don't know

I reckon the FordAU description sums this up well :lol:

(As above) "Drives: Anything we find in the carpark "

 

[apsilon]

(As above) "Drives: Anything we find in the carpark "

Reminds me of the time I had to go down to do some work at one of our VIC sites, picked up a rental Commodore at the airport and drove to the dealership, parked it out back in the holding yard and went to work. Finished VERY late. Came out looking forward to finally heading to the hotel and having a few cold refreshments and couldn't remember where I parked it or what colour it was. Finding a Commodore in a holding yard of Commodores was not what I wanted to be doing at that point in time LOL. Was a looooong day.

Back on topic. Thanks to FordAU for responding :clap2:

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