The differences between Warranty, Service plan & Maintenance plan.

Purchasing a new car comes with a wide range of option plans, one of those being various car care plans and these include warranty, service plan and maintenance plan. Service plans and maintenance plans have benefits and detriments. Before making any decisions on these plans, carefully weigh all the terms and possibilities. Use this information to make the best choice for you and your vehicle. These plans are sometimes complicated and intimidating. However, if you research them properly and agree on favourable terms, they can be financially beneficial in the long run. Will briefly break down the differences between these three. Car Warranty A car warranty is a standard feature on all new cars sold in South Africa. It provides cover for a stipulated period against manufacturing defects that cause your vehicle to fail. If the automaker agrees that the problem is indeed due to defects in components or workmanship, then the problem will be resolved at no cost to you. Be warned automotive warranties in South Africa are easily voided mostly because of the fitment of (unapproved) aftermarket parts. Many manufacturers offer an option of an extended warranty, make sure you know exactly what is part of the deal. Service plan A service plan focuses on specific scheduled vehicle services generally within the first few years of purchase. Car manufacturers sell service plans, and they cover the most basic of car care services with monthly payments instead of instant costs. Each service plan is slightly different but in general cover some of all of the following: fluids such as brake fluid, coolant, oil, transmission fluid and gearbox oil; all filters including oil, fuel filters, pollen and air filters; spark plugs; tyre rotations and cam belts. A service plan is a separate policy from the manufacturer’s warranty. Maintenance plan A maintenance plan includes all the benefits of a service plan, but also adds protection for replacement and repair of various wear and tear parts. There are many protected parts in a maintenance plan, and some of the most important include the clutch, exhaust, battery, brake pads, steering components and engine. The best part of a maintenance plan is the ease of mind that comes with it. Maintenance plans are also transferable to new buyers and it is possible to include them in monthly car payments at the time of purchasing the vehicle. CMH is not responsible for any errors or omissions, or for the results obtained from the use of this information. All information in this site is provided “as is”, with no guarantee of completeness, accuracy, timeliness or of the results obtained from the use of this information…”