Warranty Service Requirements

[RocketVANman]

With my new van I'm considering doing all the servicing my self. By servicing I mean basic stuff like oil, oil filter, air filter and fuel filter changes and some brake work. Any more intricate or specialist work I'll leave for a garage or the appropriate specialist.

My worry is the legal side of it. I know you DO NOT have to have the vehicle serviced at a Citroen Dealer to retain the warranty but I believe it has to be serviced as per manufactures service schedule with original parts. What would the legal status be if I servied it my self with all original parts with receipts and the correct oil? (Total Quartz Ineo ECS 5W30 Engine Oil in this case)

Could any one point me in the right direction for the exact wording of the legal requirement? I believe the use of non dealer servicing is allowed due to a European Court Ruling or a European law if I'm not mistaken?

Thanks in advance

[philip]

With my experience with cars and warranty any car manufacture will do anything or make any excuse not to repair your car under warranty, if it was me I would be using original parts and oil or get the dealer to service it until the warranty is up.

[Opensauce]

Yes, it does not have to be serviced by main dealer but to retain warranty it must be serviced by a Vat registered motor repair workshop, using OE parts.

[divingscubaboy]

I'll 2nd that opensauce. The vat registered bit is the pita. As Phillip says go for stealer servicing until warranty expires. Yes its crap and many stealers employ people I wouldnt let make tea. Its not worth the hassle, if the vehicle breaks down and theres any chance of the stealer wriggling they will whether a service related failure or not. I am in a service department myself, not cars but vehicles none the less. We are flexible (ish) when it comes to servicing but blatant neglect often results in an unhappy customer. Granted a warranty is not worth much sometimes. I had a wheelbearing failure on a year old van with 20000 miles and was told it wasn't warranty as it was a rotating part! lmao! A very forceful discussion ensued!

[RocketVANman]

Yes, it does not have to be serviced by main dealer but to retain warranty it must be serviced by a Vat registered motor repair workshop, using OE parts.

Strangely the salesman did mention that it had to be a VAT registered dealer.
I didn't metion it in my original post as I thought nothing of it. Why VAT registered?? It seems a bit strange!! What's the logic behind that??

Thanks to all for the replies

[Opensauce]

I would think having sufficient turnover to be Vat registered would suggest that they are a professional full time workshop capable of doing work to similar standard to main dealer workshop. I suppose the line has to be drawn somewhere if this law is going to exist at all as obviously car manufacturers opposed the legislation in the first place.

[Mike]

I would think having sufficient turnover to be Vat registered would suggest that they are a professional full time workshop capable of doing work to similar standard to main dealer workshop. I suppose the line has to be drawn somewhere if this law is going to exist at all as obviously car manufacturers opposed the legislation in the first place.

It's also possible for a company to voluntarily register for VAT as well, it's not dependant on turnover.

[Argos69]

I know this thread is pretty ancient, but I wondered if the world of Citroen warranties had changed or moved on....?

I have a 2017 Multispace which came with 12 months Citroen Select warranty. I had cause to pop into my local main dealer the other day as it has had a slight clonking rattle noise when slowly reversing. I asked them to take a look, which they did.

The mechanic took it for a test drive then reported back all was well as far as he could see. I thanked the chap on reception (later found out the business owner) and turned to leave.

He then said "Oh, you've a full warranty on this haven't you?".
I said "Yes". He then said "Maybe we should change the front suspension units as they can cause a knocking noise? I'll check if Citroen will pay for it". I said, "Hang on, the fronts?" The noise is at the back!
Feeling suddenly like this wasn't right, I said "Leave it with me and I'll think about it."

I have worked on cars long enough to want to now take a look myself. I lifted the rear up and discovered the heat shield on the left of the spare wheel carrier was twisted and could bump the exhaust. So, just using my fingers, I straightened it.

No more clonking! Same old front Spring and Shocks too!!! 

I'm now thinking that I don't want to trust that business unless something goes "bang" and it needs expensive sorting out.

Ideally I'd like to do my own servicing, as I've done on many cars for many years, but does the VAT registered rule still apply?