BMW Changed The Free Maintenance Program Policy for 2015 Models

Starting from this month (July 2014), BMW has changed its free maintenance program policy for all 2015 models sold in the US after July 1st.

The major change is: the program will only cover the BMW new car’s initial purchaser, owner, or lessee. This means although you sold your new BMW when the program is still valid for you, the 2nd owner will not be eligible for the free maintenance program.

There is one exception: if you transfer the car title to another person in your household (a person live in the same place as your vehicle registering address), called “household transfer” in BMW’s term, then the program can still be applied on the new owner.

Obviously, this will impact the vehicle’s value in used car market, if the used BMW is less than 4 years’ old or has less than 50,000 miles on the clock.

BMW_Free Maintenance

For more details please read the following official description from BMW USA:

The BMW Maintenance Program

For model year 2015 or later vehicles sold or leased by an authorized BMW center on or after July 1, 2014, BMW Maintenance Program coverage is provided for the exclusive benefit of the initial purchaser, owner, or lessee of a new vehicle, sales demonstrator vehicle, Aftersales Mobility Program (AMP) vehicle, or BMW Group company vehicle from an authorized BMW center in the United States (including Puerto Rico). Accordingly, BMW Maintenance Program coverage, with one exception, is not transferable to subsequent purchasers, owners, or lessees. The sole exception to the non-transferability of BMW Maintenance Program coverage is that household transfers – transfers within the United States (including Puerto Rico) to members of the household of the initial purchaser, owner, or lessee of a BMW vehicle from an authorized BMW center – will not terminate BMW Maintenance Program coverage. Household transfers are limited solely to transfers to a current or former spouse or spousal equivalent, child, sibling, parent, grandparent, or grandchild from the initial purchaser, owner, or lessee of a vehicle. In the event of a household transfer, purchasers, owners, or lessees of a BMW vehicle should promptly advise their authorized BMW center to document and confirm the household transfer for purposes of BMW Maintenance Program coverage. The payoff of a loan on a vehicle by the initial purchaser and the purchase of a leased vehicle by the initial lessee are not considered transfers for purposes of BMW Maintenance Program coverage.

The BMW Maintenance Program covers all factory recommended maintenance as determined by the Condition Based Service (CBS) system. Additional specific items that need replacement due to normal wear and tear, and that are not covered by the original New Vehicle Limited Warranty – such as brake pads, brake rotors, and wiper blade inserts – are included, provided wear and tear exceeds BMW wear limits. Any applicable adjustments required due to normal operating conditions are also included.

Exclusions from coverage include the following:

  • Items reimbursable under your New Vehicle Limited Warranty
  • Gasoline and diesel fuel
  • Gasoline and diesel fuel additive
  • Diesel glow plugs
  • Diesel particulate filter
  • Windshield washer additive (except when in conjunction with scheduled maintenance)
  • Tires, wheel alignment, tire balance and rotation
  • Parking brake shoes/linings
  • Reset Tire Pressure Monitor
  • Wear and tear of soft trim items, such as: seats, carpets, moldings, headliner, door panels and all chrome trim
  • Damage, including consequential, which results from negligence, improper operation of the vehicle, wear and tear or deterioration due to driving habits or conditions, improper repair, environmental influences, flood, accident or fire damage, road salt corrosion, alteration, installation of non-genuine BMW accessories, or use of improper, poor quality or contaminated fuel
  • Altered or unreadable Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) or odometer irregularities or vehicles where the true mileage cannot be determined
  • Maintenance or repair after the vehicle is deemed a total loss
  • Maintenance or repairs performed by other than an authorized BMW center within the United States or Puerto Rico
  • ‘Topping off’ low fluids (e.g., engine oil, antifreeze, washer fluid, etc.) except when done in conjunction with a scheduled maintenance or other required maintenance work (as outlined in the customized maintenance checklist printout) that is performed during an applicable Maintenance Program period
  • Vehicles used in competitive events
  • Oil changes performed outside the recommended maintenance intervals as indicated by the Condition Based Service
  • Any other vehicle-specific exclusions described in the Service and Warranty Booklet included with the vehicle

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