EU Block Exemption rules first let drivers use independent garages during the warranty period.
EU rules updated (Regulation 461/2010) and kept in UK law after Brexit.
The UK’s own updated law comes into force: the Motor Vehicle Agreements Block Exemption Order 2023.
The CMA publishes guidance: warranty terms should not tie routine servicing to franchised dealers.
Current UK Order runs until this date.
| Main dealer | VWG Specialists | |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturer warranty kept for routine servicing | ✔ Yes | ✔ Yes, under Block Exemption |
| Manufacturer service schedule followed | ✔ Yes | ✔ Yes |
| Genuine OEM parts | ✔ Yes | ✔ Yes, as standard |
| Dealer-level diagnostics | ✔ Yes | ✔ Yes, ODIS (plus PIWIS for Porsche) |
| Service recorded & history updated | ✔ Yes | ✔ Yes, with an itemised invoice |
| All VW Group brands under one roof | Varies by dealer | ✔ VW, Audi, SEAT, Skoda, CUPRA, Porsche, Bentley & Lamborghini |
| Talk directly to the people working on your car | Varies by dealer | ✔ Yes |
| Price | Main dealer rates | Main-dealer standards without main-dealer prices |
| Manufacturer-paid warranty repairs & recalls | ✔ Yes | Dealer only, and we will tell you when |
The UK's current Block Exemption law is new as of 2023. The Competition Act 1998 (Motor Vehicle Agreements Block Exemption) (No. 2) Order 2023 came into force on 1 June 2023 and runs until 31 May 2029. It replaced the EU rules the UK kept after Brexit. The principle behind it, that you can use an independent garage without losing your warranty, has protected drivers since EU rules introduced in 2002.
No, provided the work is done properly. Under UK competition law, as explained in the CMA's 2023 guidance, a car maker should not make your warranty conditional on routine servicing and repairs being carried out by its franchised dealers. What matters is that your car is serviced to the manufacturer's schedule, with parts of matching quality and the correct fluids and procedures, and that the work is recorded. We do all of this as standard, using genuine OEM parts.
Not for routine servicing and repairs. The CMA's guidance says a warranty should not require manufacturer-branded parts for replacements the warranty does not cover, and parts of matching quality are acceptable. We go further and fit genuine OEM parts identified from your VIN, so there is no question about quality.
Yes. We record every service and update your service history, stamp your service book if your car has one, and give you a fully itemised invoice listing the parts, fluids and work carried out. If your car relies on the manufacturer's digital service record, mention it when you book.
Repairs paid for by the manufacturer under its warranty, and safety recalls, are carried out free of charge by a franchised dealer. Using us for your servicing does not stop you making that claim. A manufacturer can refuse a claim where the fault was actually caused by incorrect work or a faulty part fitted by someone else, which is why we follow the schedule, fit genuine OEM parts and record everything.
Yes. The rules are not brand-specific, so they apply to every car maker. We service Volkswagen, Audi, SEAT, Skoda, CUPRA, Porsche, Bentley and Lamborghini to each manufacturer's own schedule and specifications.
The CMA's guidance treats a manufacturer's standard warranty and an extended warranty sold through its dealer network in the same way. Third-party and used-car warranty policies have their own terms, and many let you use any VAT-registered garage. Send us your policy and we will check it for you.
No. This page is general information about the UK rules, not legal advice. Always check the terms of your own warranty, and if in doubt, ask us to look at your warranty booklet with you before you book.
This page is general information, not legal advice. Always check the terms of your own warranty.
