Many cars (including relatively new used ones) are covered by manufacturer warranties and have either service- or maintenance plans associated with them. What kinds of services and repairs are included in these plans? This will help you understand what your vehicle’s specific plan covers.
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Here are some insights from motus.cars, supported by Motus Ford (previously Imperial Select) as to the question of Service Plan or Maintenance Plan:
Job 1: Understand the warranty
First, just to provide you with a bit of background, bear in mind that virtually every vehicle is sold from new with a warranty that allows its owner to claim against the vehicle’s manufacturer for failures or malfunctions that occur (during normal, general use) within a certain period or mileage limit (if something breaks unexpectedly, the dealer’s workshop must repair it at no cost).
In order to preserve your car’s warranty, all repair, service and maintenance work must be carried out by franchised dealer workshops.
Most manufacturers offer general warranties that cover every aspect of the car, usually excluding its tyres and sometimes friction material that can wear down prematurely due to hard use, such as brake pads and clutch components. However, some stipulate warranties for the body and paintwork separately (usually limited by a time period) and some, but not many, distinguish between plans that cover general failures and mechanical ones.
Warranties only remain valid if vehicles are serviced or repaired by franchised dealers (outlets officially authorised to sell/maintain a brand’s products) or approved independent workshops at time/mileage intervals determined by the cars’ manufacturer or importer. While warranties tend to last only a year or two (or up to 5 or even 7 years), service and maintenance plans tend to be valid for a bit longer than warranties and are also limited in validity by vehicle age and mileage limits. They are subject to the same conditions as vehicle warranties, however.
Service and maintenance plans will only cover services if a car is within a specified acceptable mileage – i.e., if the manufacturer specifies a 15 000-km service interval and allow a 1500-km variance, you would need to perform your first service between 13 500 km and 16 500 km.
Warranties cover you against mechanical failures within a preset mileage/time period, unless they occur as a result of abuse.
Manufacturers also specify a time frame for service intervals should you not cover enough mileage to reach the service intervals timeously. This is usually annually/every 12 months. Failure to comply with these terms will result in your service plan or maintenance plan being cancelled.
What is a service plan?
A service plan generally covers all the costs involved with regular scheduled servicing, such as the cost of labour (and parts) that is scheduled to be carried out (and replaced) at specific services (such as spark plugs, air filters, oil etc.), but excludes jobs and the fitment of spares that aren’t scheduled for standard services, such as V-belts, wiper blades and brake pads.
Understanding the difference between minor and major services will take the stress out of budgeting for future vehicle maintenance.
Items generally not covered by a service plan include:
- Internal and external trim, bodywork and paint due to normal wear and tear.
- All glass, tyres, wheels, wheel alignment, accessories, electrical wiring components.
- Additional maintenance that may be required as a result of the vehicle being operated in severe or unusual conditions.
- Additional maintenance that may be required as a result of
- Accident, damage, abuse or misuse or consequential damage as a result of such an action.
- Failure to use the vehicle in accordance with the instructions contained within the vehicle service book.
- Failure to ensure that the vehicle is properly, regularly and punctually serviced in accordance with the instructions and recommendations specified by the manufacturer.
A common misperception is that a service plan is comprehensive. If you suspect that one of your car’s components might have malfunctioned or is failing/has failed, the repair could be affected by a workshop as part of a warranty claim, but it’s not included in your service plan… if it occurs once the vehicle’s (previously explained) warranty has already expired, then you will have to pay the bill for repairing the problem out of your own back pocket.”
Want to make sure your vehicle will be simple to sell on one day? Uphold a comprehensive service record and ensure scheduled maintenance is carried out to the letter.
What is a maintenance plan?
As a rule of thumb, whatever is not covered by a service plan, is covered by a maintenance plan, provided – of course – your vehicle has not exceeded the plan’s year- or mileage limit.
It covers the labour and parts costs of servicing a vehicle, yes, but also the replacement of items damaged or worn out through wear and tear. For example, a maintenance plan covers mechanical items such as the exhaust system, the engine, the clutch, gearbox/transmission and electrical components, but specifically not tyres, tyre alignment or windscreens.
Luxury vehicles come standard with 4- to 6-year maintenance plans from new, but if you’re thinking about buying such a car second-hand (which will be offered with the balance of the remaining maintenance plan), you must check that your prospective purchase’s plan is still valid (and for how long it will remain so), because that cost is built into the vehicle’s price.
An aftermarket maintenance plan is a good idea if you own a luxury car that is out of warranty.
Many manufacturers also provide the option to upgrade a service plan to a maintenance plan – at extra cost. But do you really need it? Well, it depends on how long you intend to keep the car and its initial purchase cost – remember, an expensive car will have more expensive parts, and a maintenance plan is a good bet in that scenario. Most cars have their really big (major) services at 90 000 km – that’s when things start to fail. If you’re planning on selling your car before it hits the 90 000-km mark, you probably won’t need a maintenance plan.
If a vehicle already has an existing warranty and service plan, you may want to consider upgrading to a maintenance plan, which ensures that most expenses in terms of mechanical breakage, service costs and wear and tear costs would be covered within the duration of the plan. As ever, upgrade costs are based on duration/mileage and usually charged in lump sums, but you will be refunded a part of that cost if you sell the car before the extended plan lapses.
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