Singaporeans Can Soon Service Their Cars At Independent Workshops Without Voiding Warranty
Under current warranty restrictions, drivers may service or repair their cars only at authorised workshops.
By John Lim — 18 Dec 2017, 01:10 PM
Selected major car dealers in Singapore have agreed to remove restrictions on servicing warranties and related documents
Singaporeans will soon be able to service their cars at independent workshops and service centres without voiding the warranty.
Under current warranty restrictions, drivers may service or repair their cars only at authorised workshops. Fixing their cars at independent workshops will void the warranty.
The news comes after major car dealers in Singapore agreed to remove such restrictions, according to the Competition Commissioning of Singapore (CCS).
The CCS is the city-state's competition authority. It aims to "make markets work well to create opportunities and choices for businesses and consumers in Singapore."
After careful analysis of a study into the supplies of car parts in Singapore, the CCS revealed that such restrictions had deterred car owners from using independent workshops and thus the ability to compete effectively with authorised workshops
"To address this, CCS has raised its concerns with the major car dealers and have worked with them to remove the warranty restrictions from their car warranties and related documents," the commission said as quoted by Channel NewsAsia.
Nine major car dealers like Chevrolet, Toyota, Mazda, Kia, and Hyundai have agreed to remove the restrictive warranty terms by 31 December.
CCS added that market feedback indicates that authorised workshops tend to charge two or three times higher than independent workshops for comparable parts and servicing
"The removal of the warranty restrictions will facilitate a more competitive market for car repairs and servicing, with more choices for car owners, and opportunities for existing and new independent workshops," CCS chief executive Toh Han Li told The Straits Times.
Meanwhile, car dealers said they welcome the competition
"As long as the (independent) workshops are good and are able to do the work prescribed, I don't see why not," said Nicholas Wong, general manager of Honda agent Kah Motor.