Keeping your manufacturer’s warranty when you service outside the dealer

Some car owners think they have to go to the main dealer for servicing to keep their manufacturer’s warranty. That is not the case. Here you can read what the European rules say, which conditions the servicing has to meet and which paperwork is worth keeping, with Dutch terms explained along the way.

By the team at Autobedrijf Willemsbrug, RDW-approved APK (MOT) test station since 1979 · Updated 4 November 2026

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The short answer

You may have a car that is still under the manufacturer’s warranty serviced at an independent garage. According to the European Commission, a manufacturer may not make the warranty conditional on servicing and repairs outside the warranty being carried out within its own dealer network. The condition is that the garage services the car in line with the manufacturer’s specifications, with suitable parts and fluids, and that you can show this with invoices.

Where can you have a car under warranty serviced?

You can have your car serviced at the garage of your choice, even while it is still under the manufacturer’s warranty (in Dutch: fabrieksgarantie). The ANWB, the Dutch motoring organisation, writes that under European rules you may also use a garage other than the main dealer and that you then keep your manufacturer’s warranty. The garage does have to service the car in line with the manufacturer’s rules.

Sometimes the warranty terms or the service book (in Dutch: onderhoudsboekje) say that servicing may only be done by a main dealer. According to the European Commission, it makes no difference in which document such a restriction appears. The assessment is in principle the same.

This article explains what the rules say. It is not legal advice. Read your manufacturer’s terms and conditions and, if in doubt, ask your dealer or the manufacturer to explain in writing.

Which European rules apply?

The rule comes from European competition law for the motor sector. This includes the Motor Vehicle Block Exemption Regulation, Regulation (EU) No 461/2010, and the supplementary guidelines of the European Commission. In 2023 the regulation was extended by Regulation (EU) 2023/822 and it now expires on 31 May 2028.

In its frequently asked questions on the motor vehicle sector, the European Commission writes that the manufacturer’s warranty must not be made conditional on repair and maintenance work that is not covered by the warranty being carried out within the manufacturer’s authorised network. The aim is that you, as the owner, can choose freely where to have your car serviced. These rules apply in the Netherlands as in every EU country.

Topic What the rule says
Routine servicing during the warranty period Allowed at a garage of your choice, in line with the manufacturer’s specifications
Restriction in the service book or contract Carries the same weight, whichever document it appears in
Extended warranty bought from the dealer with the car According to the Commission, generally assessed in the same way
Extended warranty taken out years later According to the Commission, generally allowed to set its own requirements
Defect caused by a faulty part from another supplier The manufacturer may refuse the warranty claim for that defect

Source: European Commission, Frequently Asked Questions on the application of EU antitrust rules in the motor vehicle sector.

Which conditions does the servicing have to meet?

The servicing has to follow the manufacturer’s specifications and you need to be able to prove it. That applies at the dealer and at any other garage. These are the points that matter.

  1. On time: the service is done within the interval in kilometres or years set out in the manufacturer’s schedule.
  2. In line with the schedule: the parts that belong to this service are actually replaced or checked.
  3. The right fluids: the engine oil, brake fluid and coolant meet the specification the manufacturer prescribes.
  4. Suitable parts: filters and other parts are suitable for your car and of good quality.
  5. On record: the invoice states what was done, with the date and mileage. Ideally the service is also entered in the service book or the manufacturer’s digital service record.

With engine oil, the difference is usually in the specification, not the brand. The packaging shows a manufacturer code, such as a VW, BMW or Mercedes-Benz standard. That code has to match what your owner’s manual prescribes. You can read more in our article on which engine oil your car needs (in Dutch). How to read the schedule and the intervals is explained in your car’s service schedule explained.

What still has to go through the main dealer?

A warranty repair that the manufacturer pays for is in practice handled through the manufacturer’s network. The same applies to recalls. This is work the manufacturer pays for, not the routine servicing you pay for yourself.

  • Warranty repair: does your car have a defect that is covered by the warranty? Then report it to the dealer or the manufacturer.
  • Recall: if you receive a letter about a recall, contact a main dealer as the letter tells you.
  • Goodwill: a contribution from the manufacturer after the warranty has ended (in Dutch: coulance) is a voluntary arrangement. The European Commission’s frequently asked questions do not deal with it. Read your manufacturer’s terms.
  • Extended warranty or roadside assistance package: according to the ANWB, some brands offer an extended warranty on condition that the servicing is carried out on time and to specification by an authorised dealer. Read those terms carefully.
Not sure whether an extra warranty or a roadside assistance package (in Dutch: mobiliteitsservice) lapses if you have the car serviced elsewhere? Read your manufacturer’s terms. They differ by brand and by package.

Manufacturer’s warranty or legal warranty: what is the difference?

The manufacturer’s warranty is an extra promise from the manufacturer, on top of the legal warranty you already have when you buy something in the Netherlands (in Dutch: wettelijke garantie). According to the Rijksoverheid, the Dutch central government, you are entitled to a product that works properly. If there is a problem, you go to the seller, not the manufacturer.

Legal warranty Manufacturer’s warranty Extended warranty
Who provides it The law, through the seller The manufacturer Manufacturer, dealer or insurer
How long No fixed period, it depends on what you can reasonably expect A fixed period, see the warranty certificate According to the terms of the package
Who you contact The seller The manufacturer or the dealer The party that provides the warranty
Role of servicing Poor servicing can be taken into account Servicing to specification, wherever it is done Sometimes requirements on where the servicing is done

Sources: Rijksoverheid, Welke garanties heb ik op een product? (in Dutch) and European Commission (FAQ on the motor vehicle sector).

What happens if a defect occurs?

If a defect is covered by the warranty, report it to the dealer or the manufacturer, even if your servicing was done elsewhere. According to the ANWB, if the manufacturer wants to reject the claim on those grounds, it has to show that the defect was caused by incorrect or missed servicing.

  1. Report the defect to a main dealer or to the manufacturer.
  2. Show your invoices and the service book. They prove that the car has been serviced according to the schedule.
  3. If the claim is rejected, ask for a written explanation with the reason.
  4. If you disagree with the rejection, get advice, for example from the ANWB if you are a member.

Would you like to know what is wrong first? A second opinion can help to find the cause. At our garage a second opinion costs € 145, including up to one hour of diagnosis.

How we service a car that is still under warranty

We service the car according to the manufacturer’s schedule, with suitable parts and fluids, and we record every service. This is how it works in our workshop.

  • We use your registration number (in Dutch: kenteken) and mileage to look up which service is due according to the schedule.
  • We use engine oil with the specification the manufacturer prescribes for your engine.
  • On the invoice we note what was replaced and checked, with the date and mileage.
  • We record the servicing in our own system and, if you have a service book, in that as well.
  • Our technicians hold the GMTO certificate, the Dutch qualification for working on high-voltage systems in hybrid and electric cars.

You receive a quote in advance and we only carry out repairs after you have approved them. You can read more about the types of service on our car service page. Do you drive a Toyota hybrid? Then also read Toyota hybrid servicing and warranty (in Dutch).

Frequently asked questions

Will I lose my manufacturer’s warranty if I do not go to the dealer for servicing?

No, not if the servicing follows the manufacturer’s specifications. According to the European Commission, the manufacturer may not make the warranty conditional on servicing within its own dealer network. Keep your invoices and read your manufacturer’s terms.

Does an independent garage have to use original parts?

No. According to the European Commission, it is generally against the competition rules for a manufacturer to require, rather than recommend, parts from a specific supplier for work other than warranty work. The parts do have to be suitable and of good quality. If something goes wrong because of a faulty part, the manufacturer may refuse the warranty claim for that defect.

Do I need a stamp in the service book?

No. A stamp is useful, but what matters is that you can show what was done. An invoice with the date, mileage and the work carried out is the most important proof. We also enter the service in your book if you bring it with you.

What about a lease car?

That depends on your lease contract. With a lease car, the car is usually owned by the leasing company, and the contract often states where and how the servicing has to be done. Read your lease terms or check with the leasing company before you book an appointment.

Does this rule also apply to electric and hybrid cars?

Yes. The European rules apply to motor vehicles in general, so also to hybrid and electric cars. Here too, what counts is that the servicing follows the manufacturer’s specifications. The battery may have a separate warranty with its own terms, so read those carefully. What servicing an electric car involves is explained in our guide to servicing an electric car.

Can the dealer refuse a warranty repair because I have my car serviced elsewhere?

No, not for that reason alone. According to the ANWB, the manufacturer has to show that the defect was caused by incorrect or missed servicing. If your claim is rejected, ask for a written explanation.

Servicing according to the manufacturer’s schedule

Call us on +31 10 479 00 00 with your registration number and mileage. We check which service is due according to the schedule and you receive a quote in advance.

You will find us at Boterdiep 11 in Rotterdam-IJsselmonde, close to Stadion Feijenoord (De Kuip). We work by appointment. For a quick question or check you can walk in without an appointment.

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