Subaru offers lifetime capped price servicing

SUBARU Australia has finally introduced a capped-price servicing scheme, starting from July 1, that covers its entire model range from the Impreza hatch to the BRZ sportscar for life.

The Japanese car-maker is the last top-ten brand in Australia to introduce capped-price servicing, with all of its major competitors, including Honda, Mazda and Toyota offering programs of their own.

Subaru's plan goes further than some by covering and new model sold from July 1 for the lifetime of the vehicle, rather than just for the three-year warranty period.

As a part of the new plan, Subaru is including all Subaru-badged cars dating back to model year 2006.

Subaru Australia managing director Nick Senior said the offer gives buyers “peace-of-mind” throughout the ownership of their vehicle, and it provides transparency around servicing costs.

“It’s not limited to a few models, it extends way beyond the warranty period and it’s available to customers going back to Model Year 2006.

“Subaru has long been renowned for reliability, durability and retained value and our Capped Price Servicing program is clear proof that we have every faith in the long-term integrity of our products.”“It means they can make better, informed choices on how they service their Subarus. Basically, Capped Price Servicing sets the maximum price participating Subaru Retailers will charge for each standard Scheduled Service, on applicable Subaru vehicles.”

Mr Senior said that under the lifetime agreement, customers will always be able to identify to maximum amount they will be paying for each service.

While pricing for each model and interval was not available, the company said in a statement that terms and conditions will be available on Subaru's local website, via its customer contact centre and at service centres.

The statement went on to say that the capped prices will include everything that is required of the standard scheduled service under the maintenance schedule in the warranty and service handbook.

Some of these items include genuine parts, labour, factory supplied oils and fluids, as well as environmental levy and supply charges which can include oil and waste recycling.

Mr Senior said a number of other car-makers do not include some of those items in their plans and urged buyers to compare “apples with apples” when looking at the various schemes.

Buyers can also access a one-month Health Check and Chat in the first month of owning their new Subaru, which gives buyers access to a Subaru technician who can offer a quick check of the new car and answer questions.

Subaru's current line-up includes the Impreza sedan and hatch, XV crossover, WRX performance car, Forester compact SUV, Liberty mid-sizer, Outback crossover, BRZ sportscar and the soon-to-be-discontinued Tribeca SUV.

Mr Senior told GoAuto back in March that the car-maker was looking at introducing a capped-price servicing model, but was unable to confirm specific details at the time.

Subaru joins a number of mainstream brands offering a similar servicing plan, including Mazda, Renault, Volkswagen, Hyundai, Ford and Holden.