Compared to other products, the warranty of your car is usually more complicated. The coverage of car warranty may vary depending on the dealers/brands and the “timing” you purchased the car.
In Singapore, the pro-business laws and regulations tend to give dealers the advantages in “defining” the terms and conditions of the warranty in Singapore.
This driving in Singapore guide explains the typical coverage of car warranty in Singapore, and the caveats and even traps in the terms and conditions of most Singapore car warranty policies.
Warranty coverage in Singapore: it’s more complicated than you thought
If you think car warranty from all car dealers in Singapore is identical, then you are wrong, deadly wrong.
Singapore does not have the regulations on compulsory coverage of car warranty except the 3rd party coverage. It is up to the market (and eventually the car dealer) to “offer”.
On the bright side, this creates some sorts of competition among car dealers. Some of them may offer better warranty coverage to attract new customers.
But on the dark side, the car dealers may use exaggerated words or the fine print to mislead the car buyers. The lemon law, section 12A-12F of the Consumer Protection (Fair Trading) Act (CPFTA), is not a strong weapon for car buyers when disputes on car warranty arise.
In Singapore, there is NO standard (or basic or compulsory) coverage of car warranty:
- Each dealer may offer different coverage and terms and conditions of the warranty.
- From the same dealer, different coverage and terms may be offered for different cars.
- From the same dealer, and for the same car, different coverage and terms may be offered at a different time.
So, as a car owner, you need to know the coverage and the strings attached.
Some car dealers in … Read the rest
