It’s not uncommon for folks to confuse service plans and maintenance plans. To be fair, both plans last a certain number of years or kilometres, and cover the cost of maintaining crucial vehicle parts. But before we can compare anything to anything, let’s define our terms. A service plan typically covers the costs of basic, scheduled service requirements as stipulated by your car’s manufacturer. A car maintenance plan goes a bit further, covering not only your basic service, but also some elements of motor warranty in the case of mechanical breakdowns.
Now that we have that out of the way, let’s get technical, so by the end of this article, you can make the right decision for your car.
What Is A Service Plan?
A service plan covers the cost of the regular servicing of your car as required by the manufacturer. A minor car service entails changing oil and filter changes as well as replacing worn out parts of the engine like spark plugs and air/pollen filters. Meanwhile, a major car service also includes a thorough checklist process, where the technician performs a check from boot to bonnet. This service could also extend to inspecting your vehicle for dents and scratches, and checking the pedal for any squeaking. However, a service plan does not cover the repairs to the paint or the bodywork.
Items typically covered by a service plan include:
- Oil filter
- Air filters
- Petrol filters
- Pollen filter
- Antifreeze
- Braking fluid
- Spark plugs
- Sump plug washer
Items generally not covered include:
- Internal or external trim, bodywork or paint due to regular wear and tear.
- All glass, tyres, wheels, wheel alignment, accessories, electrical wiring components.
- Additional maintenance that your car may need as a result of being operated in severe or unusual conditions.
What Is A Maintenance Plan?
Maintenance plans are arguably more comprehensive of these two plans. Apart from the labour and replacement parts included in a routine service (according to the manufacturer’s schedule), maintenance plans also covers mechanical breakdowns and everyday wear and tear.
However, nothing is for mahala, so don’t be surprised by the often-exorbitant price tag attached to a maintenance plan. Since it also covers some elements of a motor warranty and offers more than the average service plan.
Which Is The Better Choice?
While a car maintenance plan covers most of the elements of a service plan as well as wear and tear items, it’s rather difficult to qualify for one and they can be incredibly expensive. It may be more manageable (for both your car and your wallet) to rather invest in a service plan.