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Let’s face it. In 2026, it’s expensive to own a car. Amid the cost-of-living crisis, many Australians are feeling the financial pressure from unavoidable expenses like insurance and petrol costs.
New data has revealed that the majority of Australians are looking to save money where they can, and car servicing is at the top of the list for pocket savings.
According to a report commissioned by Supercheap Auto, approximately 4.3 million Australian adults have delayed or skipped some aspects of their vehicle maintenance and servicing, of which 1.1 million confessed to skipping routine services altogether.
Concerningly, nearly two in three Australians (64 per cent) admitted they have or would skip servicing for their most used vehicle.
The Supercheap Auto report found that Victorian and NSW motorists were the most likely to skip a routine service at 67 and 64 per cent, respectively.
Meanwhile, Queensland drivers are also prone to delaying a car's service, with 55 per cent of respondents from the Sunshine State confessing to skipping their routine vehicle maintenance.
The report found that financial constraints were cited as the top reason behind skipping or delaying scheduled vehicle servicing at 43 per cent. Additionally, 32 per cent reported a reduction in their disposable income due to the current economic pressure.
But will skipping servicing lead to a voided warranty? To find out, Drive reached out to some of the best-selling brands. Here’s what they said.
Can skipping a scheduled service lead to a voided warranty?
Generally speaking, some of the most popular car brands say skipping a scheduled service does not void a warranty. However, warranty issues could arise if an owner’s vehicle shows signs of fault due to the lack of servicing or poor repair quality.
A spokesperson for Toyota – the best-selling brand in Australia – told Drive, “Skipping a scheduled service does not automatically void a customer’s warranty”.
“However, failure to service the vehicle in line with Toyota’s recommended service schedule may impact warranty coverage if a fault is directly linked to missed or inadequate maintenance,” they added.
A Ford Australia spokesperson echoed a similar sentiment when they said, “Missing or delayed scheduled servicing may impact warranty coverage where a concern is found to be related to delay or maintain a vehicle as recommended by Ford Australia".
“However, warranty claims are assessed on a case-by-case basis and warranty is not automatically voided due to a missed or delayed service," they added.
A Kia spokesperson confirmed that skipping a scheduled service won’t automatically void an owner’s warranty, but they said that vehicle issues caused by a lack of servicing or maintenance can lead to a claim being denied.
“For example, an engine bearing failure due to lack of lubrication, the service history of the vehicle will be evaluated when the [warranty] claim is submitted,” they said.
Will my warranty be voided if I take my car to a different mechanic for service?
Yes and no. It depends on your car's brand. Generally speaking, some popular car makers said they would not void a customer’s warranty if they chose to service their vehicle outside the brand's network. However, this isn’t always a guarantee, and there are some conditions repairers must adhere to.
A Mazda Australia spokesperson told Drive, “A customer can have their vehicle serviced by a repairer of their choice without impacting warranty".
Meanwhile, a Toyota Australia spokesperson said the brand won’t void a customer’s warranty if they opt to service their vehicle outside of its servicing network.
However, the car must be serviced to Toyota’s specifications, mechanics must use genuine or equivalent parts and fluids, and accurately record servicing intervals.
“If a fault arises and is linked to poor workmanship or incorrect servicing, the repair may not be covered under warranty,” a Toyota Australia spokesperson said.
A Kia Australia spokesperson confirmed, “The owner is free to service their vehicle wherever they choose. If the correct schedule is followed and the correct fluids and parts are used and documented, the warranty will not be affected”.
However, some brands, such as Mitsubishi – which offers a new extended car warranty of up to 10 years/200,000km – said servicing its vehicles outside of its dealer network could lead to an owner’s warranty being voided.
“For example, if you service your vehicle within the Mitsubishi Dealer Network in accordance with the service schedule of the first four regular services, but the fifth regular service is not performed by the required time or distance or occurs outside the Mitsubishi Dealer Network, the extended new car warranty will expire on and from the date the fifth regular service should have been performed within the Mitsubishi Dealer network” the brand’s warranty terms and conditions states.
Is there a grace period for scheduled servicing?
Generally speaking, no, some car makers don't offer a grace period for their scheduled servicing products.
In the case of Toyota, a brand spokesperson said it does not offer a grace period on its seven-year driveline and engine warranty extension. Meanwhile, a Kia Australia spokesperson also confirmed the South Korean car maker does not offer a servicing buffer for its customers.
Likewise, a Ford Australia spokesperson said, "Ford Australia does not apply a universal grace period for late servicing and encourages customers to complete servicing as close as possible to the recommended servicing intervals to appropriately maintain their vehicles".
Ethan Cardinal graduated with a Journalism degree in 2020 from La Trobe University and has been working in the fashion industry as a freelance writer prior to joining Drive in 2023. Ethan greatly enjoys investigating and reporting on the cross sections between automotive, lifestyle and culture. Ethan relishes the opportunity to explore how deep cars are intertwined within different industries and how they could affect both casual readers and car enthusiasts.
