What the law actually says
Commission Regulation (EU) No 461/2010, retained in UK practice after Brexit, stops manufacturers forcing you through their dealer network for servicing as a condition of warranty. If the independent follows the schedule and uses parts of matching quality, the warranty stands.
This applies to BMW, Audi, Volkswagen and other franchised brands.
What you should keep
If a dealer later claims a failure is “because you went independent”, they have to show the work was not to standard, not just that it was not done in a franchise.
- Dated invoices showing the work
- Parts quality (OEM or OE) noted on the job
- Digital service entry on the car where it is supported
What this does not cover
It does not cover bodges, the wrong oil, skipped intervals, or tuning that causes a failure. It also does not rewrite a wear-and-tear exclusion. A clutch that is worn out is still worn out.
If warranty position matters on your specific car, ask us before the booking. We will tell you what we can and cannot record.