Short answer: for most routine maintenance, no—you can often have your vehicle serviced at a reputable independent shop. But there are a few important rules to follow so your warranty stays protected and claims don’t get denied.
MoneySense sums it up well: for many repairs and maintenance items you can use any repair shop, but in certain situations a dealership is the right (or only) option.
What actually matters to protect your warranty
1) Follow the maintenance schedule
Oil changes, fluid services, filters, inspections—do them on time (by km and/or time).
2) Use the correct specifications
The right oil grade/spec, correct fluids, and quality parts that meet the vehicle requirements.
3) Keep records (this is huge)
If there’s ever a warranty question, proof of maintenance is your best friend. AMVIC specifically advises keeping maintenance or warranty work orders in case you need proof the work was done.
What to keep:
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Invoices showing date + mileage
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What was done (oil type/spec, filters, fluids)
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Part numbers when possible
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Your service schedule booklet notes or a simple log
When the dealership does make sense (or may be required)
Even if you do routine maintenance elsewhere, the dealer is often the best option for:
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Warranty-covered repairs (manufacturer pays)
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Safety recalls
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Certain software updates / programming tied to manufacturer systems
MoneySense notes that sometimes only a dealership will do—especially for warranty-related situations.
Extended warranties can be different
Factory warranty rules and extended/third-party warranties aren’t always the same. The Automobile Protection Association (APA) recommends reading extended coverage carefully and notes that complete maintenance records make it harder to refuse a claim.
If a dealer tells you “you MUST service here”
If someone claims you’ll lose warranty coverage unless you service at their dealership, ask for it in writing (and ask which clause in your warranty booklet says that).
In Canada’s Competition Act, “tied selling” is defined as supplying one product on the condition the customer must acquire another product (or avoid other brands).
(Practical takeaway: if you feel pressured, get it documented and ask questions.)
If a warranty claim gets denied
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Ask for the denial reason in writing
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Ask what evidence they’re relying on (maintenance history, inspection notes, etc.)
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If it’s a dispute about how the new-vehicle warranty is applied, CAMVAP may be an option—CAMVAP handles disputes about warranty application through arbitration.
Bottom line
You typically don’t need the dealership for routine maintenance to keep your warranty—what matters most is proper service + proper documentation. Keep your records, follow the schedule, and you’ll protect yourself if questions come up later.
If you want, paste your vehicle year/make/model + mileage and I’ll turn this into a version customized to your customers (including a simple “records checklist” they can screenshot).
