Many consumers are still unaware that they can turn to independent garages for maintenance, as long as they use components of equivalent quality to the original, such as SOFIMA parts.
More than 20 years have passed since the entry into force (on 31st July 2002) of the European competition rules known by the acronym BER (Block Exemption Rules). Yet, it is common experience to come across consumers who are still unaware of the benefits.
It often happens, in fact, that many motorists are convinced that they should have their cars serviced and repaired exclusively by the manufacturer’s official network workshops, fearing otherwise that they risk losing the validity of the manufacturer’s warranty on the vehicle.
This is actually not true, precisely because of the BER regulation, also known as the ‘Monti Decree’ because it was promulgated on the initiative of Mario Monti, the European Commissioner for Competition at the time. However, the EU regulation, requires certain conditions to be met. These are worth mentioning.
Quality equivalent to the original
EC Regulation 1400/2002, extended in 2010 and valid until 31st May 2028, regulates the distribution, repair, maintenance and supply of spare parts for vehicles, with the aim of promoting competition.
By virtue of this rule, consumers are free to take their vehicle to any repair shop, even an independent repair shop, retaining the validity of the current warranty as long as the work has been carried out properly.
The most important condition for maintenance or repair work on a vehicle to be ‘correct’ is that it is carried out using spare parts of equivalent quality to original spare parts and that it is carried out in accordance with the procedures laid down by the manufacturer.
In order to protect themselves from nasty surprises, therefore, consumers should not only choose their trusted mechanic carefully, but also make sure and demand that he or she uses aftermarket parts of the same quality as the original spare parts.
This is always the case for SOFIMA Filter’s wide range of aftermarket filters, which benefit from the UFI Filters Group‘s in-depth knowledge of high-performance filter media.
SOFIMA provides independent garages with all types of petrol, diesel, LPG, oil, air and cabin air filters, meeting the needs of 98% of the European car fleet with products of absolutely equal quality to original spare parts through its catalogues.
Thanks to SOFIMA, consumers have at their disposal a complete range of filtration systems with 1337 air filters, 490 oil filters, 576 fuel filters and 523 cabin air filters. In addition, they can count on a constant update of the range, with monthly additions of new codes, with an average annual total of about 100.
By ensuring that the independent workshop uses SOFIMA filters, therefore, the consumer is assured that no manufacturer can challenge the validity of the warranty for maintenance or repair work carried out outside its official network.
The other requirements
There are a number of other requirements, in addition to the use of spare parts of the same quality as original spare parts, which must be met for a service performed by an independent workshop to be considered ‘correct’. These are:
- Maintenance or repair work must be carried out in strict accordance with the instructions and procedures provided by the vehicle manufacturers;
- It must be carried out by first verifying the existence of any manufacturer’s recalls;
- It must be recorded in the car maintenance booklet, including the digital one;
- It must be accompanied by full documentation of all checks and interventions carried out.
If these conditions are met, should a repair become necessary during the warranty period, the manufacturer may not refuse to recognise the warranty’s cover.
More competition, more savings
The Monti Decree has therefore broadened the choice for consumers, who can turn to the workshop that is most convenient or closest to them. Moreover, thanks to lower average labour costs and the use of spare parts of equivalent quality to the original, many motorists have been able to make significant savings on coupons and repairs.
All this is relevant to the period of validity of the legal warranty, which, for professional operators, lasts 24 months for new vehicles and can be reduced to 12 for used vehicles (based on an agreement between seller and buyer).
Many car manufacturers offer the possibility of extending the validity of the car warranty to longer periods against payment of a surcharge. In these cases, however, the manufacturer may place limits and restrictions. The car warranty may only cover certain components or involve servicing at the official network.
