Free Maintenance by Car Brand: Which Automakers Include It
A few automakers include scheduled maintenance with a new car; most do not. Here is which brands do as of November 2026, how long it lasts and how it differs from a prepaid plan the dealer sells.
Only some automakers include free scheduled maintenance with a new car. As of November 2026, ToyotaCare covers normal factory-scheduled maintenance for 2 years or 25,000 miles, Hyundai, Genesis and MINI cover 3 years or 36,000 miles, and Chevrolet and other GM brands cover the first maintenance visit in the first year. Many other brands include none.
These plans cover routine service such as oil changes and inspections on the factory schedule. They are not warranties, and wear items like brake pads and tires are usually excluded.
Which car brands include free maintenance?
The brands below publish an included maintenance program on their US sites as of November 2026. Terms apply to new vehicles bought or leased from an authorized dealer and run from the in-service date, whichever limit comes first.
| Brand | Program | Length | What it covers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toyota | ToyotaCare | 2 years or 25,000 miles | Normal factory-scheduled maintenance, plus 24/7 roadside assistance |
| Hyundai | Hyundai Complimentary Maintenance | 3 years or 36,000 miles | Normal factory-scheduled maintenance listed for new 2025 model year vehicles on Hyundai’s page; severe-service extra visits excluded |
| Genesis | Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance | 3 years or 36,000 miles | Interval service checkups on the maintenance schedule |
| MINI | Complimentary Scheduled MINI Maintenance | 3 years or 36,000 miles | Recommended scheduled maintenance on 2019 and newer models; roadside assistance runs 4 years, unlimited miles |
| Chevrolet, GMC, Buick, Cadillac | First Maintenance Visit | One visit within the first year | Oil change, multi-point inspection and four-tire rotation at a participating dealer; air filters not included |
| BMW | BMW Ultimate Care | Check bmwusa.com for current terms | Scheduled maintenance on new BMWs |
Sources: automaker owner and warranty pages, including Toyota’s ToyotaCare page and Chevrolet’s warranty page. Terms change by model year, so check the warranty and maintenance booklet for your exact vehicle.
What does free scheduled maintenance cover?
It covers the services listed on the automaker’s normal maintenance schedule for the covered period, at the brand’s dealers. Typical items are oil and filter changes, tire rotations, fluid checks and multi-point inspections.
What is usually not covered:
- Wear-and-tear parts such as brake pads, wiper blades and tires.
- Extra services for severe driving conditions, such as towing or dusty roads. Hyundai’s terms exclude more frequent maintenance due to severe driving.
- Repairs for defects, which fall under the new-car warranty instead. See bumper-to-bumper vs powertrain warranty coverage.
- Damage from accidents, misuse or lack of care.
- Service done at independent shops, which you pay for yourself even though it can still keep your warranty valid.
Does free maintenance transfer to the next owner?
It depends on the brand. Coverage is counted from the vehicle’s in-service date, but whether a second owner can use the remaining visits is set in each automaker’s terms. Check the maintenance booklet or call the automaker with the VIN before you rely on it when buying a used car. Our guide to factory warranty transfer covers the related warranty rules, and certified pre-owned programs sometimes add their own maintenance perks.
How is included maintenance different from a prepaid plan?
Included maintenance comes with the car at no extra charge, while a prepaid maintenance plan is a product you buy, usually from the dealer’s finance office or the automaker’s finance arm. Toyota, for example, sells ToyotaCare Plus, which extends protection for up to 5 years or 75,000 miles, and Toyota Service Care plans for when ToyotaCare runs out. Volkswagen markets prepaid Volkswagen Care plans.
| Question | Included maintenance | Prepaid plan |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Built into the new-car price | Extra charge, often added to the loan |
| Who offers it | The automaker | Automaker finance arm, dealer or third party |
| Can you decline it? | Not applicable | Yes; it is optional |
| Refund if you sell the car | Not applicable | Depends on the contract; many allow a prorated refund |
A prepaid plan can save money if its price is lower than the services you would buy anyway. Add up the dealer’s menu prices for the covered visits before you agree, and read our guide to finance office add-ons on cancellation and refunds.
Do I have to use the dealer for free maintenance?
To get the free services, yes: the plans are honored at the brand’s authorized dealers, and GM’s first visit must be at a participating dealer within the first year. For paid maintenance, federal warranty law lets you use any qualified shop as long as you keep records. See what voids a car warranty.
Bottom line
Included maintenance is a modest perk, worth a few routine visits, and it only appears with a handful of brands. Use it on schedule, keep the receipts, and price any prepaid plan against the dealer’s normal service menu before you buy it.
FAQ
Does Honda or Ford include free maintenance?
Check the brand’s current owner pages and your warranty booklet. If a brand does not publish an included plan, any maintenance package offered at the dealer is a paid product you can decline.
Does ToyotaCare cover tires or brake pads?
ToyotaCare covers normal factory-scheduled maintenance, not wear parts like tires and brake pads. Those are paid repairs unless a defect is covered by the warranty.
What happens if I miss a free service interval?
The plan ends at its time or mileage limit whether or not you used every visit. Schedule visits on time and keep records for your warranty.
Are EVs covered by these plans?
Often yes, though EV schedules have fewer services because there is no engine oil. Check the maintenance booklet for your EV model.
