5 things you need to know about maintaining your car

All about service plans, warranties and complaints

IF YOU own a car, you’ll know that it’s one of your biggest expenses – not only because of petrol but also maintenance and insurance. Service plans and insurance products are intended to protect you against risks and major expense, but they vary.

When you buy a car, it usually comes with (or you will be given the option to buy) a maintenance product which covers general maintenance costs.

This includes service plans, maintenance plans and warranties. The products offered by vehicle dealers differ, so it’s important that you carefully read the fine print before deciding which option to go for.

This week we talk about what’s typically covered by service plans, maintenance plans and warranties, and where your insurance fits in.

1 SERVICE PLANS

A service plan covers the cost of parts and labour needed to service the car on a regular basis. These usually involve the changing of items like brake and clutch fluids, oil, filters and spark plugs. Any other work done during a service is for the owner’s account.

It doesn’t cover, for example, the repair of faulty parts or parts that need to be replaced because of normal wear and tear, such as the clutch, exhaust, gearbox, shocks and brake pads.

New cars often come with a service plan that’s valid for a specific number of services or kilometres, for example three services or 45 000km, but the plan can also be extended.

You’ll also be expected to adhere to the service plan, for example have your car serviced after travelling a particular distance, say 15 000km. If you don’t comply, the services will be for your own account.

2 MAINTENANCE PLANS

A maintenance plan usually has all the benefits of a service plan, but also includes the cost of replacing or repairing faulty parts due to normal wear and tear, for example shocks, windscreen wipers, the clutch and gearbox. If your car has a service plan, you can usually upgrade it to a maintenance plan. Like a service plan, it’ll be valid only for a specific period or number of kilometres.

3 WARRANTIES

Most new cars are sold with warranties, which is a written undertaking given by the manufacturer or seller that its parts are standard and will last for a specific period. Usually the warranty covers the air-conditioning, transmission system, electrical components, the engine, gearbox, sensors and fuel system. It excludes general wear and tear and any damage due to negligence or an accident. So if your car breaks down or someone else has caused damage to it, you could have the faulty part replaced without any extra cost in terms of the warranty.

Warranties are valid only if the vehicle is repaired by a service provider who’s approved by the manufacturer or dealer. Warranties are also valid just for a specific number of kilometres or a particular period. When the warranty has expired, you can buy an extended warranty.

4 WHAT INSURANCE COVERS

Vehicle insurance pays for damage to your vehicle and, depending on the type of insurance, for damage to the other vehicle in an accident.

The type of cover you need depends on the value of your vehicle, how often it’s used and what you can afford. Serapelo Mofokeng, head of client services at MiWay, explains the three main types of cover: comprehensive, third-party, fire and theft; and total loss.

● Comprehensive It’s usually the most expensive as it gives you the most cover – theft, hijacking, accident damage, fire or explosion and natural disasters like hail and floods.

● Third-party, fire and theft The cover is for theft- and fire-related damage to your car and damage to the other vehicle (the third party) during an accident caused by you. Your car’s damage in the accident isn’t covered, only the third party’s.

● Total loss It covers you when the car is written off, stolen or hijacked.

5 WHERE CAN YOU LODGE COMPLAINTS?

If you experience problems with the service plan, maintenance plan or warranty of your car, first try to address the matter with the service provider. If you’re not satisfied with the way your complaint is handled, insist that a representative of the car manufacturer or dealer group reviews your complaint. Keep a record of your dealings with them.

If the matter isn’t resolved, you can contact the Motor Industry Ombudsman of South Africa. Submit your complaint online at miosa.co.za or download the form from their website, complete it and email it to info@miosa.co.za.

The same process applies to insurance. First try to sort out the problem with the insurer and if you’re not happy, contact the Ombudsman for Short Term Insurance. Download the complaint form from osti.co.za.