Servicing Your Car During the Manufacturer Warranty Period: What You Need to Know

If you’ve recently bought a new car, you’re probably aware that it comes with a manufacturer warranty - usually lasting between three to seven years, depending on the make and model. One question we often get asked at Hurn Autos is....

“Can I have my car serviced at an independent garage while it’s still under warranty?”

The short answer is yes, you can - and here’s everything you need to know about doing it the right way.

You Don’t Have to Use a Main Dealer

Many drivers believe they must take their vehicle back to the main dealership for servicing to maintain the warranty, but that’s not true. Thanks to a regulation known as the Block Exemption Regulation, independent garages like Hurn Autos are legally allowed to carry out servicing and maintenance on vehicles still under the manufacturer’s warranty.

As long as the service follows the manufacturer’s schedule and uses approved parts and fluids, your warranty remains completely valid. That means you can benefit from dealer-level servicing without dealership pricing.

Why Choose an Independent Garage?

• Choosing a local, independent garage offers several advantages:

• Better value: Our labour rates are typically far lower than main dealers.

• Personal service: You speak directly with technicians who know your car — not a reception desk miles away.

• Convenience: We’re based right here in Bransgore, serving customers across Bournemouth, Poole, Christchurch, and Dorset.

• Expertise: Our trained technicians and up-to-date diagnostic equipment ensure your car is maintained to the manufacturer’s standards.

Genuine vs Aftermarket Parts - What’s Best During Warranty?

While you can use high-quality aftermarket parts when servicing your car, we strongly recommend using genuine manufacturer parts during the warranty period.

Here’s why:

• Using genuine parts eliminates any potential disputes with the manufacturer or dealer should you ever need to make a warranty claim.

• It ensures your vehicle continues to perform exactly as designed - maintaining efficiency, reliability, and value.

• All genuine parts come with their own warranty for extra peace of mind.

• At Hurn Autos, we’re happy to source genuine parts for all makes and models to ensure your servicing is 100% warranty-safe.

Where Can I Service My Car While in manufacturer Warranty?

If you’re in Bournemouth, Poole, Christchurch, or anywhere in Dorset, you don’t have to travel to a main dealer to stay within warranty guidelines. Hurn Autos offers full manufacturer-spec servicing using the correct oils, parts, and schedules - keeping your car in top condition and your warranty fully intact.

We’ll also stamp your service book (or update your digital service record where possible) so your service history stays up to date and verifiable.

Keep Your Warranty Intact - Book Your Service Today

If your car is still under warranty, but you want the personal service, competitive pricing, and trusted local expertise of an independent garage, book your next service with Hurn Autos.

We’ll make sure your vehicle stays compliant with manufacturer requirements - and you keep every bit of your warranty protection.

Call us today or book online to arrange your warranty-safe car service in Dorset, covering Bournemouth, Poole, and Christchurch.