Is capped-price servicing really capped?

Many new cars are sold with capped price servicing included in the deal, but what that means varies from one manufacturer to another.

In most cases, when a car is in for a service, the basics are at a standard capped price, but you may find that you have some out-of-pocket costs for other parts or fluids that need to be replaced at that interval as well.

Generally, manufacturers have a schedule that shows you the price of each service, so you know ahead of time what you will pay for those standard services.

If some items (like a pollen filter) need replacement ahead of time, this may be at an extra cost to the basic service. Brake pads and discs, tyres, light globes, water pumps, and other wear-and-tear consumable items are generally not included in capped price servicing.

The bottom line is that you may get a better deal on your servicing by shopping around. Just make sure the workshop has a current motor vehicle repair certificate.

Also, remember that under Australian Consumer Law, you do not need to have your vehicle serviced at the dealer to maintain its standard factory warranty, provided the vehicle is serviced according to the manufacturer’s specifications and by an appropriately qualified technician.