Subaru Australia has introduced a capped price servicing program across its entire range of cars from today (July 1) extending back to 2006 models.

ACCORDING TO SUBARU IT will make its capped-price servicing available “to vehicles throughout their lifetime – not just the three-year warranty period”. Most other makers only offer capped-price servicing for the warranty period.

The capped price servicing program doesn’t just apply to new cars, though, with Subaru announcing it would make the program available, retrospectively, to Subaru models back to Model Year 2006. Meaning owners of eight-year old cars can now access capped price servicing – up to three or four years after their car left warranty.

Speaking with Practical Motoring about extending the program to MY2006 cars, Subaru Australia national corporate affairs manager, David Rowley, said the brand had made the decision to apply the capped price servicing to 2006-badged cars as a sign of confidence Subaru has in the “durability” of Subarus.

“Model Year 2006 means cars that have potentially been out of warranty for longer than they were in (3-4 years), which is an indication of the longevity and durability of Subarus and the confidence that customers can have in them over many years.”

Subaru Australia managing director, Nick Senior, said: “This program gives customers peace-of-mind throughout their ownership.

“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.”

“Capped Price Servicing sets the maximum price participating Subaru Retailers will charge for each standard Scheduled Service, on applicable Subaru vehicles.”

He said the vital lifetime commitment means customers will always have the comfort of being able to identify the maximum amount that they will pay for their next scheduled service.

“While the Capped Prices are subject to change, customers have the peace-of-mind of knowing that if they bring their vehicle to a participating authorised Subaru Service Centre, they will not be charged more than the current published Capped Price for the specific service interval.”

Terms and conditions will be transparently available, including online at subaru.com.au, or via Subaru’s customer relations department and service centres.

The Capped Prices will include all items required as part of the standard scheduled service, as set out in the Maintenance Schedule of Subaru’s Warranty and Service Handbooks.

These include labour, genuine parts, factory specified oils and fluids, and even the environmental levy and supplies charge, which includes items such as oil and waste recycling.

Mr Senior added: “Many other car companies exclude some of these items from their Capped Price for the standard scheduled service.

“So when considering these programs, be sure that you are comparing ‘apples with apples’”.

Within the first month of ownership, customers can also access a free one-month “Health Check and Chat”. It allows Subaru’s factory-trained technicians to provide quick vehicle checks and for a Service Adviser to answer questions.