Car Warranty and Servicing: Which Manufacturers Play by Different Rules?

Toyota allows warranty coverage to be extended through regular servicing, Kia offers a seven-year warranty, Hyundai’s “5+2” package is not the same as a full seven-year warranty, while Tesla has no conventional annual service schedule.

At first glance, a car warranty appears straightforward: a manufacturer offers three, five, six or seven years of coverage, and a longer period should mean a safer purchase.

In practice, the number of years is only the beginning of the story.

The real cost of ownership is affected much more by mileage limits, the components included in the coverage, servicing requirements, maintenance costs, spare-parts availability and whether the warranty can be transferred to the next owner.

It is particularly important to distinguish between four terms that advertisements often present as though they mean the same thing:

Statutory conformity rights are the rights a buyer has against the seller under consumer protection law.

A commercial or manufacturer’s warranty is an additional commitment made by the manufacturer, importer or seller, subject to the conditions stated in the warranty documentation.

An extended warranty may be free of charge, available at an additional cost or conditional on servicing the vehicle within a particular network.

A service package covers certain maintenance work in advance, but does not necessarily constitute a warranty.

Only when these four elements are considered separately can the true value of an offer be assessed.

1. Toyota: Additional Warranty Coverage Activated Through Servicing

Toyota has one of the most interesting approaches on the market.

New vehicles come with a standard manufacturer’s warranty, while owners may use the Toyota Relax programme after that warranty expires. When the vehicle is serviced regularly by an authorised Toyota workshop, additional coverage is activated for one service interval—usually 12 months or 15,000 kilometres.

This process may be repeated until the vehicle reaches ten years of age or 200,000 kilometres, whichever comes first. Used vehicles that meet the programme conditions may also qualify, even if they were not continuously maintained within the authorised network in the past.

This means that a vehicle seven, eight or nine years old may regain a certain level of warranty coverage after an eligible service.

What Owners Need to Understand

Toyota Relax is not an unconditional continuation of the original manufacturer’s warranty. It is a separate programme under which coverage is activated after a qualifying service within the authorised network.

If regular maintenance is carried out by an independent repairer, Relax coverage will not be renewed through that service. The possibility of activating it again later depends on the vehicle’s age, mileage, technical condition and the programme’s other requirements.

There is also a period during which newly activated Relax coverage does not apply: the first 30 days or 1,000 kilometres after the service. The detailed conditions should therefore be checked before relying on the programme as a complete substitute for a conventional warranty.

For an owner who intends to keep the car for many years and maintain it within the authorised network, this model may offer significant value. Drivers who cover little mileage and own a mechanically simple vehicle should compare the cost of authorised maintenance with the realistic value of the additional coverage.

2. Kia: Seven Years as a Standard Manufacturer’s Offer

Kia has made its long warranty one of the brand’s most recognisable selling points.

The warranty lasts for seven years or 150,000 kilometres, whichever comes first. During the first three years there is no mileage limit, while the overall limit of 150,000 kilometres applies afterwards.

The warranty is transferable to the next owner, provided the vehicle has been maintained correctly and all warranty conditions have been met. This can directly affect the value of a used vehicle: a three-year-old Kia may be sold with another four years of manufacturer’s warranty remaining.

What Should Be Checked

Seven years does not mean that every component is covered in the same way throughout the entire period.

Tyres, brake pads, brake discs, wiper blades and other wear items are subject to separate conditions. Certain electronic components, multimedia equipment, paintwork, the auxiliary battery and parts subject to normal wear may have shorter warranty periods.

For this reason, the content of the warranty booklet is more important than the large number highlighted in an advertisement.

3. Hyundai: “5+2 Years” Is Not the Same as a Full Seven-Year Warranty

Hyundai Serbia promotes its offer as a “5+2-year warranty with unlimited mileage”. However, the detailed conditions show that the first five years and the additional two years do not provide the same level of coverage.

The standard contractual warranty lasts for five years without a mileage limit for conventional passenger vehicles. Vehicles used for specific purposes, such as taxis, rental cars and driving-school vehicles, are subject to different conditions.

During the sixth and seventh years, an additional protection programme applies. This is not equivalent to a full manufacturer’s warranty: it covers selected vital engine and transmission components, sensors, actuators and control units, while Hyundai contributes 50 per cent of the total cost of an eligible repair.

This remains a valuable benefit, but it is not the same as Kia’s standard seven-year or 150,000-kilometre warranty.

Why This Distinction Matters

A buyer who sees the term “5+2” may expect complete coverage for seven years. In reality, the following should be checked:

• which components are covered during the sixth and seventh years;

• what proportion of the cost must be paid by the owner;

• whether the vehicle has been maintained in accordance with the programme conditions;

• whether the benefit can be transferred to the next owner;

• whether special restrictions apply to commercial use.

Hyundai’s local warranty terms also explicitly link the contractual warranty and additional protection programme to maintenance within the authorised network. This is particularly important when deciding where the vehicle will be serviced during the warranty period.

4. BYD and MG: Long Warranties as a Way to Reduce Buyer Risk

Newer brands entering a market do not have decades of servicing history, a large pool of used vehicles or the level of trust that develops over generations. A long warranty is therefore one of the main ways in which they reduce the buyer’s sense of risk.

For the European market, BYD offers basic vehicle coverage of six years or 150,000 kilometres. The warranty on the Blade high-voltage battery has been extended to eight years or 250,000 kilometres, with a guaranteed minimum state of health of 70 per cent. The electric drive unit is covered for eight years or 150,000 kilometres. The extended battery coverage also applies to eligible vehicles previously sold in Europe.

For vehicles first registered from the beginning of 2021, MG Serbia states a warranty period of seven years, or 84 months. The main high-voltage components are covered for up to seven years or 150,000 kilometres, and the warranty may be transferred to the next owner while it remains valid.

Where the Real Risk Lies

With newer brands, the key issue is not only how long the warranty lasts, but also how practical it is to use.

Before buying, check:

• where the nearest authorised workshop is located;

• how many workshops are available along the routes you use most often;

• how long customers wait for routine servicing and diagnostics;

• whether body parts are available locally;

• how a claim is handled if the vehicle cannot be driven;

• who legally provides the warranty and what happens if the distributor changes.

A long warranty has the greatest value when it is supported by a stable service organisation and reliable parts availability.

5. Tesla: No Conventional Annual Service, but Maintenance Has Not Disappeared

Tesla does not have the conventional annual minor service associated with internal-combustion vehicles.

There are no engine-oil changes, oil or fuel filters, spark plugs, clutch, timing belt or exhaust-system components. The vehicles also do not require a mandatory annual service simply because 12 months have passed.

This does not mean that no maintenance is required.

Tesla specifies or recommends inspection and replacement of cabin filters, tyre rotation, brake-fluid checks, brake-calliper servicing in regions where roads are salted during winter, and other work depending on the model, year and operating conditions. For example, cabin-filter replacement every two years, tyre rotation at approximately 10,000 kilometres and a brake-fluid check every four years may be recommended for the Model 3 and Model Y.

Servicing is arranged through the app, with the possibility of remote diagnostics, a service-centre visit or a mobile technician when the type of repair and location permit it.

The basic European vehicle warranty lasts for four years or 80,000 kilometres. The battery and drive unit are covered for eight years, although the mileage limit depends on the model and version and ranges from 160,000 to 240,000 kilometres, with at least 70 per cent battery-capacity retention during the warranty period.

What to Check Before Buying

Tesla’s annual maintenance costs may be lower, but buyers should check the location of the nearest service centre, how accident repairs are organised and whether appropriate body-repair support is available in their area.

With an electric vehicle, the absence of oil changes is not the only consideration. Tyres, suspension, brakes, air conditioning, bodywork, glass and electronic systems still require maintenance and can generate significant costs.

6. BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Audi: Maintenance Increasingly Adapts to the Vehicle

For many German premium models, the maintenance schedule is no longer based solely on a single fixed mileage interval.

BMW uses the Condition Based Service system, which monitors the condition of the vehicle and the need for individual maintenance tasks. Mercedes-Benz uses the ASSYST or ASSYST PLUS service indicator, while Audi combines time, mileage and sensor data to notify the owner when maintenance is due.

This does not mean that the manufacturer has no servicing plan. The plan still exists, but it is partly adapted to the model, engine, operating conditions and data collected by the vehicle.

Short urban journeys, frequent cold starts, trailer towing, high temperatures and demanding operating conditions may cause certain maintenance tasks to become due earlier than they would with relaxed motorway driving.

Service Packages: Savings or Simply Predictable Costs?

Premium manufacturers often offer prepaid maintenance packages and extended warranties.

Their main benefit is not always a lower overall price, but predictable costs. Before purchasing a package, check:

• how many years and kilometres it covers;

• which routine services are included;

• whether brake pads and discs are covered;

• whether operating fluids are included;

• whether it covers maintenance only or mechanical failures as well;

• whether it can be transferred to the next owner;

• what happens if the contracted mileage is not used.

A package that appears attractive may offer less value to a driver with low annual mileage, while it may significantly simplify cost control for a business user or someone who travels frequently.

7. Dacia: A Shorter Standard Warranty and a Simpler Offer

Dacia’s standard manufacturer’s warranty lasts for three years. An extended warranty may be purchased under separate conditions and can be transferred to the next owner. Deadlines apply for arranging the extended coverage, so the decision should not be left until the standard warranty is about to expire.

Dacia’s market proposition is not based on offering the longest standard warranty. Its main arguments are a lower purchase price, the use of familiar and proven mechanical solutions and a broad network of repairers experienced with Renault–Dacia technology.

This does not mean that every workshop can properly service every new model. Modern Dacias use turbocharged engines, exhaust-treatment systems, multimedia equipment, driver-assistance technologies and, in some models, hybrid drivetrains. Appropriate diagnostic equipment and specialist knowledge are therefore becoming increasingly important.

For a buyer who plans to keep the vehicle after the warranty expires, Dacia may still offer a favourable ownership calculation. However, the price of extended coverage should be compared with expected maintenance costs and the value of the vehicle itself.

Do I Lose My Warranty If I Do Not Use an Authorised Workshop?

There is no single universal answer that applies to every vehicle, every failure and every type of warranty.

The first distinction to make is between the seller’s statutory liability for lack of conformity and the commercial warranty provided by the manufacturer or importer.

Serbia’s new Consumer Protection Act, which comes into force on 2 August 2026, provides that the trader is liable for a lack of conformity that appears within two years of delivery. The law also makes clear that a commercial warranty does not exclude or reduce the consumer’s statutory rights.

A commercial warranty may, however, contain additional contractual requirements relating to maintenance, service documentation, parts used and the authorised network. It is therefore not possible to state in advance that servicing the vehicle at any independent workshop will certainly preserve every right under a manufacturer’s or extended warranty.

At European Union level, competition rules provide that a manufacturer’s warranty should not be conditional on maintenance work not covered by the warranty being carried out exclusively within the authorised network. EU rules also protect independent repairers’ access to spare parts, technical information and data required for servicing. Serbia, however, has its own legal and contractual framework, so the European rule should not automatically be presented as a guarantee of the outcome of every dispute on the Serbian market.

Some warranty conditions applicable in Serbia explicitly require servicing within the authorised network. Hyundai, for example, states in its local terms that the contractual warranty may be lost if scheduled maintenance or repairs are performed by an unauthorised repairer.

The Safest Rule for Vehicle Owners

While the vehicle is covered by a manufacturer’s, extended or service-activated warranty, check the warranty booklet for that specific vehicle before using an independent workshop.

When the wording is unclear, request written confirmation from the seller or importer.

Regardless of the type of workshop, retain:

• the repair order listing the work performed;

• the fiscal receipt or invoice;

• details of the parts installed;

• the specification of the engine oil and other fluids;

• the service date and vehicle mileage;

• evidence that the manufacturer’s maintenance intervals were followed.

Good documentation does not automatically guarantee acceptance of every warranty claim, but without it the owner’s position is considerably weaker.

Seven Questions to Ask Before Buying a Car

1. Does the stated number of years represent a full manufacturer’s warranty?
Terms such as “5+2” may include different levels of coverage and require the owner to contribute towards repair costs.

2. What is the mileage limit?
Seven years with a 150,000-kilometre limit may be less valuable to a high-mileage business driver than five years with unlimited mileage.

3. What remains covered after the third, fifth or seventh year?
The engine and transmission may have longer coverage than the multimedia system, air conditioning, auxiliary battery or other components.

4. Is the warranty transferable?
Transferable coverage may increase the vehicle’s resale value.

5. Where must the vehicle be maintained?
Check whether use of the authorised network is mandatory for the basic, extended or service-activated warranty.

6. How much does routine servicing cost?
A long warranty may lose part of its value if mandatory servicing is significantly more expensive than maintaining a comparable vehicle.

7. How accessible is the service network?
A warranty is only valuable if there is a workshop that can quickly perform diagnostics, obtain parts and complete the repair.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Manufacturer Offers the Longest Warranty?

Among mainstream brands, Kia and MG offer standard coverage of up to seven years or 150,000 kilometres. Through the Relax programme, Toyota can provide additional coverage until the vehicle reaches ten years of age or 200,000 kilometres, but this depends on eligible servicing within the authorised Toyota network.

Because the conditions differ, the number of years alone is not enough for a meaningful comparison.

Is the Warranty Transferred to a New Owner?

For many manufacturers, the warranty is linked to the vehicle and may be transferred to the next owner. However, the maintenance schedule must have been followed and the supporting documentation retained.

Extended programmes, service packages and insurance-backed coverage may have different transfer rules.

Does an Electric Car Require No Servicing?

An electric vehicle does not need engine-oil, spark-plug or fuel-filter changes, but it still requires tyre, suspension, brake, air-conditioning, cabin-filter, battery-cooling and electronic-system checks.

Maintenance costs may be lower, but they are not zero.

What Does a Manufacturer’s Warranty Usually Exclude?

Normal wear, consumable parts, impact damage, improper use, the consequences of irregular maintenance, unauthorised modifications and failures caused by unsuitable parts are commonly excluded.

The exact list of exclusions differs between manufacturers.

Does a Service Invoice Guarantee That the Warranty Remains Valid?

Not automatically.

An invoice and repair order show that a service was performed, but it may also be necessary to prove that maintenance intervals, manufacturer procedures and the required specifications for parts and fluids were followed. Some commercial warranties may additionally require servicing within the authorised network.

Looking for a Workshop You Can Trust?

On AutoKonekt, you can find workshops in your city, review the available information and book an appointment online.

When your vehicle is still under warranty, check the conditions in the warranty booklet before booking and confirm that the selected workshop can provide a repair order, an invoice and complete documentation for the parts installed and the work performed.

A stamp in the service booklet alone does not protect your warranty. Timely maintenance, suitable parts and proper documentation do.