F&I Management & Training

The recent announcement of its 'Lifetime' warranty from Vauxhall had raised concerns amongst independent garages and parts distributors that customers would be forced or hoodwinked into taking their vehicle to a Vauxhall Authorised Repairer for all its service needs and the independent operators would, somehow, be excluded and disadvantaged.

In response to the IAAF's enquiries on members' behalf, Vauxhall have confirmed that the warranty remains valid irrespective of where the vehicle is serviced.
Brian Spratt, IAAF commented: "This clarification from Vauxhall is very welcome." He had written to Duncan Aldred, Vauxhall's Managing Director, seeking confirmation that the new warranty was not designed to circumvent the EU Automotive Block Exemption rules.

In his reply Mr Aldred wrote: "I can confirm that the Warranty Terms and Conditions are fully compliant with the requirements for new car warranties contained in the EU Automotive Block Exemption 461/2010 which came into force on 1st June 2010. In that respect, the warranty remains valid as long as vehicle are serviced strictly in line with our schedules irrespective of whether that takes place within or outside the Vauxhall Authorised Repairer network. Further, any parts, including oils, must as you indicate be original or matching quality parts if sourced outside the Vauxhall Network."

"The key here," explained Brian Spratt, "are the words 'serviced strictly in line with the Vauxhall's service schedules'. This places the responsibility for proper servicing upon the garage performing the service. If a garage fails to adhere to the schedule, or doesn't use the proper parts and materials, then it will be that independent garage's responsibility if a warranty claim is subsequently refused. It's important for all independent garages and parts suppliers to realise that fact."

The IAAF has provided its members with the web link for full details of Vauxhall's service schedules and model specific technical data.

Vauxhall lifetime warranty will apply to the first owner of any Vauxhall registered after August 1 2010, and will cover the car until it reaches 100,000 miles, no matter how many years that takes. The new Vauxhall warranty is dependent upon the owner submitting the vehicle for an annual inspection complete with a stamped up-to-date service book.