In October 2003 European Union legislation, 'The Block Exemption Regulations 1400/2002' (BER) came into force.

This gave motorists more freedom in their decisions as to who should repair and service their vehicles - now any garage can be used without invalidating the manufacturer's warranty (subject to certain conditions)

This was as a result of four specific 'freedoms' that were introduced, aimed at safeguarding free competition in the entire market, for vehicle spare parts, service and repair.

• Parts distributors can supply parts of the appropriate quality to dealers and authorised repairers without the vehicle manufacturer/assembler using 'dealer/repairer contracts' or other means to prevent them.
• Parts manufacturers can no longer be forced by their original equipment (OE) contract to limit supply of parts to the vehicle manufacturer/assembler.
• Parts manufacturers can supply OE products under their own brand so motorists and repairers will not feel they have to go to a main dealer for a certain part.
• Anyone with legitimate need for technical information has the right of access to it in a usable form and at a reasonable cost.
  
  

The BER covers service and maintenance during the warranty period and prohibits a vehicle manufacturer's warranty from including conditions requiring that:

• all normal maintenance be provided within the vehicle manufacturer's network.
  
• all parts used must be the manufacturer's original spare parts.

The European Commission declared that such clauses in a warranty document would represent 'an unjustified restriction for the consumer'

The Automotive Distribution Federation (ADF have written proof from the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) that:

Independent repairers can carry out normal maintenance and repair services during a vehicle's warranty period without invalidating the warranty conditions, providing that:

• the service is carried out in accordance with the manufacturer's servicing schedules and is recorded as such.
  
• any parts used are of 'appropriate quality' and are recorded as such.

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Wiltown Garage Curry Rivel.