Isn’t freedom a wonderful concept?

If you own a vehicle that’s still under warranty, you’re entitled to a freedom you may not be aware of: the freedom to have your car serviced and repaired at any automotive service facility of your choosing.

No, you are not bound to the dealer until your vehicle’s warranty has expired. That’s a common misconception. You can take it anywhere you’d like. It’s the law. The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act of 1975, specifically.

Among many other things, that act states that a manufacturer cannot void a vehicle's warranty simply because service was not performed by a dealer.

The Car Care Council – the organization that inspired this blog post – suggests that you “keep records and receipts for all maintenance that is done to the vehicle and adhere to scheduled maintenance requirements. If a warranty claim arises, these records will provide proof that maintenance has been done in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations and requirements.”