Hyundai introduces lifetime capped-price servicing

Hyundai has become the first car brand in Australia to offer lifetime fixed-price servicing for every model, old and new.

Hyundai has set a new benchmark for certainty in servicing costs.

It has become the first car maker in Australia to offer capped price servicing on all its cars for the lifetime of the vehicle - and has even back-dated the program to include all models sold since the brand arrived Down Under in 1986.

It means the guesswork has been taken out of servicing costs for more than 1.1 million Hyundai drivers across Australia.

Hyundai's new servicing prices come into effect on September 1, 2014, and irons out the sudden jump in prices from service to service.

Previously, Hyundai's capped price servicing deal ran out after three years (even though the warranty lasted for five) and hit customers with a double whammy: uncapped pricing on some of the dearest services in the car's life.

Under the old system, owners of Hyundai small cars would pay $189 for each of the first three visits, then be met with a bill for close to $500 for the fourth visit, which is a more comprehensive service and not subsidised by Hyundai Australia.

The new system means that customers will pay more for the first three services on a Hyundai small car ($229 for each visit), but the fourth one only jumps to $329 (instead of almost $500) and returns to $229 for the subsequent service.

The new program still puts Hyundai among the top three brands for servicing affordability, along with Holden and Toyota. Each service on a Toyota small car is only $130, but dealer visits are required every six months instead of every 12 for the Hyundai -- and the Toyota offer runs out after three years.

Holden charges $189 for each of the first four services on a small car, hedging its bets and requiring a dealer visit every nine months.

Nissan and Ford also offer capped price servicing on older models and on new cars for up to six years, but their prices are dearer.

Toyota was the first company to introduce capped price servicing in Australia in 2008 but now all Top 10 brands, and some European marques, have followed.

WHY IT'S WORTH COMPARING CAPPED PRICE SERVICING DEALS

Not all capped price servicing deals are created equally, so it pays to compare before you buy a new car.

Some brands require a dealer visit every six months while others are happy to see the car once a year for routine maintenance.

But be aware many service departments are trying to sell add-ons that you rarely need, such as an "air-conditioning flush" and other unnecessary extras.

Be sure to ask for the regular logbook service covered under the capped price servicing deal, and nothing else.

Worn out tyres and brakes are not covered, and nor is a wheel alignment, but oil and filter changes and safety checks are all part of the capped price package.

One other handy hint: no matter what you are told, you are not obliged to have the car serviced from the dealership you bought the car from.

We've received a number of complaints from new-car buyers in recent weeks asking why the dealer has told them they can't get their car serviced closer to home. You can.

You can also get your car serviced at an independent workshop providing they have qualified mechanics and follow the logbook instructions.

But our advice would be to stay within the dealer network, at least while the car is under warranty, because that way you can be sure the car is getting genuine parts and any minor updates that don't quite qualify as a recall.

Car companies are also more inclined to help you with an out-of-warranty claim if they can see you've had every service done at one of its dealerships.