Manufactures Warranty & the Magnuson Moss Act
YOU DON'T HAVE TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO MAINTAIN YOUR WARRANTY.
New and used car dealers are notorious for their claims that only then can warranty work on the cars or trucks that they sell. Some have gone so far as to state that a warranty will be rendered invalid if anyone other than the dealers service department does the work, of if any other product other than a dealer product is used.
This practice was one of a number of questionable tactics that led to the enactment of the Magnuson- Moss warranty act in 1975. This act is a component of the Federal Trade Commissions Improvement Act, and was passed in an effort to improve the adequacy of the information available to consumers, to prevent deception, and improve competition. It mandates disclosure designed to enhance consumer protection through awareness of implied and expressed warranties attached to products and services.
THE RELEVANT PORTIONS OF THIS ACT:
"No warrantor of a consumer product may condition his written or implied warranty on such product on the consumer's using in connection with such product, any article or service ( other than articles or services provided with out charge under the terms of the warranty) which is defined by brand, trade or corporate name.