They have something in common: all vehicles in traffic in Hungary are partially or completely affected, and all of them can be linked to a specific date or km value. During the term of the lease agreement, it is your responsibility as a user to monitor them, as it greatly affects the long-term usability of the car and then its secondary market value. So let's see the most important things the user should know, by topic.
Periodic maintenance
The car manufacturers determine the periodic maintenance periods of the cars they manufacture, broken down by type, motorization and power transmission. Many manufacturers also set these intervals on a country basis, taking into account environmental/weather conditions and the quality of the fuel sold in that country. There are different values, for example 1 year -25,000 km; 2 years – 40,000 km. Even a professional should have trouble with listing all requirements and periods.
Upon receipt of each vehicle, we also receive the operating instructions and service book, as well as the handover protocol. All three documents list the required service interval for your car.
We might think - as we have used/driven several cars in the past - that we may not even have to glance at the operating instructions. However, with the development of electronics, any new car may have some new features that its predecessor did not have and so just as well come as a surprise. Therefore, every time you take use of a new car, thoroughly read these documents.
Number of years or kms? Whichever comes first - say the instructions. In addition, for many makes, we come across the “as indicated by the vehicle” information.
Vehicles with flexible intervals have advanced technology to take into account the conditions of the use: whether it is sporty, old-fashioned or just little used. These factors all influence the time of the flexible interval inspection. If the car tells you, you have to go to the garage. Should you still have any questions regarding the service cycle of the car, the brand service centres will provide you with information by telephone if you give them the chassis number.
Mandatory service is only named mandatory. Professionals prefer to use the term periodic service. The term 'mandatory' only indicates if the given periodic inspection/repair is not carried out in time, the vehicle or some of its main components may lose the manufacturer's warranty.
Warranty
As with all durable consumer goods, manufacturers provide warranty.
There are different types of warranties:
- basic warranty (year or km)
- extended warranty, over the basic warranty (year or km)
- rust perforation (year)
Further to the above, several manufacturers add extra warranty for certain parts of the vehicle:
- audio system 3 years
- High voltage battery for hybrid and fully electric models: 8 years or 200,000 km
- finish: 5 years
How to maintain the warranty for the vehicle?
It is easy to get lost among so many numbers in this field, too.
Following the periodic service intervals prescribed by the manufacturer and a service visit based on the indication of our vehicle helps to ensure that if a fault occurs in the vehicle that is not related to its use, it gets repaired with the support of the manufacturer.
In case of repair under warranty, the manufacturer is not obliged to provide a replacement vehicle, this is judged case by case.
MOT test
In Hungary any vehicle participating in the road traffic should pass an MOT test and have an MOT certificate. For a new car, the certificate is issued for 4 years. Above 4 years of age, the vehicles get their MOT certificate for only 2 years term.
Following/checking the validity of the MOT test is the duty of the car user according to the traffic regulations (KRESZ). Only suitable vehicles with a valid certificate may take part in road traffic. The moratorium on the MOT test, introduced by the Hungarian Government in connection with Covid-19, does not apply to company vehicles, so their timely MOT inspection in accordance with the regulations cannot be delayed.
Endre Deáki - ALD Head of Technical, Body Repair and Invoicing