Where can you actually get your car fixed when it’s under warranty?
Had a customer pop in from Morrinsville the other day, asking if she could bring her Hyundai Tucson here for servicing while it’s still under dealership warranty. Story is, lots of folks reckon you *have to* go back to the dealer for any repairs or servicing while your warranty is running, otherwise you’ll void the thing. In reality, that’s not the full picture.
Here’s the deal: Your manufacturer warranty on the car—say, a late-model Mazda CX-5 you use for the Cambridge-Hamilton school run—wants you to follow their rules. That usually means using parts and fluids they’ve approved. If you kick around with the wrong oil in your Honda Jazz or some dodgy filters, and the engine blows up while you’re stuck in Five Crossroads traffic, the dealer could tell you it’s not their problem anymore. And if a mechanic stuffs up your fanbelt fitting or skips a step, the warranty might not cover you either. So you do need an experienced tech who’s done all the right training—luckily, that’s what we’re about.
We’re fussy about this at Grimmer Motors—repeat offenders about it, actually. Every service and car repair here in Hamilton gets the proper, manufacturer-approved oils, filters, and parts—no corners cut, whether you bring us a Suzuki Swift from Te Awamutu, a Subaru Outback from Chartwell or the odd Peugeot 308 from Tamahere. We know the ins and outs, and we keep a close eye on your warranty terms, so you don’t have to stress. Want to know more? The Consumer Protection site has all the legal lowdown: Learn more about warranties in New Zealand.
So, what does your warranty actually cover?
Short story: warranties cover factory defects and bits that fail under normal use. If your Toyota Corolla’s gearbox has a meltdown while doing the school drop-off at Forest Lake, and you’ve looked after the service records, you should be sweet. Neglect though—like never changing the oil in your old Mitsubishi ASX after racking up trips to Ngaruawahia, or skipping services—that’s not usually covered.
Generally warranties help with things like:
- Engine & transmission repairs
- Suspension and steering—handy when you’re busting over Dinsdale potholes
- Seals, gaskets, transfer cases
- Paint and body on newer Euro cars, like Audis or Skodas
- All that hybrid stuff—especially in those new Toyota Priuses and Nissans
- Sometimes they’ll sort your tow costs if something goes bang on the way to Pirongia
What’s not covered? (Routine stuff you still gotta pay for)
Pretty much all routine bits and pieces (oil change, filters, tyres, brake pads, brake fluid, coolant, transmission fluid). That’s all on you. But bring your car here for a car service Hamilton style, and we’ll use the right stuff so your warranty keeps ticking along.
Tips so your warranty doesn’t go up in smoke
- Actually read your warranty booklet. Not glamourous, but it answers most “can I…?” questions.
- Watch the expiry date. Don’t wait for the warning light—book in if you hear any weird noises!
- Stick to your service schedule. Don’t skip services during all those foggy Rototuna winters or dry, sticky Hamilton summers—the car’s manual tells you the best intervals.
- Get a pre-expiry check. We can do an end of warranty inspection a few months before it runs out—handy for picking up hidden issues before the warranty is history.
Car repairs under warranty—right here in Hamilton
Whether it’s WOF Hamilton checks, hybrid repair, or a basic service for your family wagon, Grimmer Motors has you sorted. We’ve looked after everything from a Kia Sportage from Huntly doing the Kaimai commute to a Renault Captur from Ohaupo with a fussy touchscreen. Flick us a call on (07) 855 2037 or book online below.