Saunders Automotive is your local car service mechanic in Benalla. 

As a family owned and operated business, we take great pride in offering our customers the very best in automotive care and we are committed to providing personalised and friendly service at all times. 

As a Repco Authorised Service centre, we participate in the Repco Auto Tech training program, ensuring our technicians are kept fully up to date with modern vehicle repair methods. We have a wealth of experience in servicing all makes and models, including commercial fleet vehicles. 

For reliable car maintenance, service & repairs in Benalla and the surrounding areas, please use our online booking form or give us a call.

Your car may be running perfectly today, but that doesn't necessarily mean everything under the bonnet is in good condition. Many developing mechanical problems don't produce obvious symptoms until they have become more serious. Regular Log Book Servicing is about finding and addressing maintenance issues before they affect your vehicle's safety, performance or reliability. Following the manufacturer's recommended servicing schedule can also help protect your investment and provide a useful record of your vehicle's maintenance history. Symptoms: What Are the Signs Your Car Needs a Service? Sometimes a vehicle will tell you that something isn't right. Warning signs that your car may need attention can include: An engine or other warning light appearing Unusual engine noises or vibrations Poor fuel economy Difficulty starting Changes in braking performance Uneven tyre wear Changes to steering or handling Fluid leaks or unusual fluid levels Reduced heating or air conditioning performance However, waiting for these symptoms before booking a service can be a mistake. A car can continue to drive normally while engine oil deteriorates, filters become restricted or components gradually wear.

That's why servicing is preventative maintenance rather than simply a response to something going wrong. Causes: What Happens When Servicing Is Delayed? Your vehicle's components are subject to heat, friction, pressure, contamination and general wear every time you drive. Engine oil becomes contaminated over time, filters collect debris, fluids deteriorate and components such as brakes, belts and hoses can wear or age.

A Log Book Service provides an opportunity to inspect and maintain these areas according to the vehicle manufacturer's requirements.

Depending on the vehicle and its service interval, servicing may include: Engine oil and filter replacement Coolant and fluid checks Battery testing Transmission fluid inspection Brake fluid checks Air filter inspection Spark plug inspection or replacement where required Brake, belt and hose checks Tyre inspection and rotation where specified Heating and air conditioning checks Lights and indicators Steering and suspension components Other vehicle-specific inspections and maintenance Not every item is required at every service. The work should be based on your vehicle's manufacturer service schedule, age, kilometres and condition. What to Do: Don't Wait Until a Repair Is Needed At Saunders Automotive, we're seeing more people delaying their scheduled servicing until their vehicle develops a problem, then asking to have the overdue service carried out at the same time as the repair.

While this may seem like a way to reduce costs, it can be a false economy. Delaying routine maintenance can allow small issues to develop into more expensive repairs, while worn or deteriorated components may also affect your car's safety, performance and reliability. If a repair and service are both required, completing them together can make sense, but repairing a problem is not a substitute for following the manufacturer's recommended servicing schedule. Service intervals are generally based on time or kilometres, with the required service due when whichever interval comes first is reached. Always check your vehicle's Log Book or servicing information for the correct schedule. Prevention: Stay Ahead of Vehicle Maintenance The easiest way to reduce the risk of unexpected problems is to keep your vehicle's servicing up to date.

Check your Log Book or service records and make a note of the next service date and kilometre interval. It's also worth discussing your driving habits with your mechanic. Frequent short trips, towing, heavy traffic and extensive stop-start driving can place different demands on a vehicle and may affect its maintenance requirements.

Regular Log Book Servicing helps keep important maintenance items on schedule while giving your mechanic an opportunity to identify developing faults before they become bigger problems. New Car Warranty and Log Book Servicing Owning a newer vehicle doesn't mean you have to wait until something goes wrong before visiting a workshop. Qualified independent workshops can perform Log Book Servicing while following the manufacturer's required specifications and servicing schedule.

This means vehicle owners can maintain the required servicing history while choosing a local independent workshop they know and trust. Log Book Servicing in Benalla When your vehicle's service is due, don't wait for a warning light, unusual noise or mechanical problem to give you a reason to book it.

At Saunders Automotive, we provide Log Book Servicing based on the manufacturer's scheduled requirements, inspecting key components and maintenance items to help keep your vehicle safe, reliable and performing as it should.

Whether you're maintaining a newer vehicle or keeping an older car running reliably, regular servicing can help you stay ahead of maintenance issues and avoid unnecessary surprises. Our dedication and nationwide warranty make us reliable allies for your automotive needs. Be it a regular servicing appointment or a long-distance drive after the service, we've got you covered.

Book your next Log Book Service with Saunders Automotive in Benalla and keep your vehicle's maintenance on track. Answers to your frequently asked questions about regular car servicing How often should I service my car? Most car manufacturers suggest a service every 12 months or 10,000 kilometres, whichever comes first. But this could vary based on the make and model of your car. Always check your vehicle’s service manual for guidance. What happens if I don’t service my car regularly? Failing to service your car regularly can result in decreased performance, reduced fuel economy, potential safety risks and higher repair costs due to undiagnosed issues. What does a car service include? A standard service generally includes an oil change, filter replacement and a thorough safety check of the vehicle’s major components including brakes, tyres, suspension and more.

Learn the warning signs of overdue car servicing, why regular Log Book Servicing matters and how Saunders Automotive can help keep your vehicle safe and reliable.

Don’t Wait for a Problem: Why Regular Log Book Servicing Matters

Engines that operate through internal combustion rely on large amounts of clean air to ensure the fuel burns properly and generates the power needed to drive the vehicle. At Saunders Automotive in Benalla, we understand how vital it is to keep your car's air filter in good condition as part of protecting your engine's health. Your engine requires extremely clean air to function efficiently. Dirt, dust, and other particles entering the engine can cause serious damage. That’s where the air filter comes into play. It ensures the air entering the combustion chambers is clean, shielding key engine components such as the pistons and cylinders from wear and damage. Why Replace Your Air Filter? Save on Fuel Costs: Your engine requires the correct balance of fuel and air to run efficiently. A clogged air filter restricts airflow, causing your engine to run inefficiently – often referred to as ‘running rich.’ This not only puts additional stress on your engine but can also increase fuel consumption by up to 10%. No one likes spending more on petrol than necessary!   Protect Your Engine: Over time, air filters become clogged and weaker, increasing the risk of damage. A damaged or overly dirty air filter can allow harmful particles to enter the engine, potentially leading to expensive repairs.   Benefits of Replacing Your Air Filter: Extends the life of your engine Improves fuel efficiency Reduces vehicle emissions At Saunders Automotive, we always check the condition of your air filter during every full car service. Whether it’s a major or minor service, or one that follows your manufacturer’s handbook or logbook guidelines, you can trust us to keep your engine running smoothly.

Keep your engine healthy with clean air filters. Improve fuel efficiency, reduce emissions, and extend engine life. Visit Saunders Automotive for expert maintenance and reliable car servicing.

Air Filters

Win a share of over $8,000 in prizes with Saunders Automotive and Repco Authorised Service From 1 June to 30 September 2026, service your vehicle at Saunders Automotive and you can enter the Love Your Car promotion and win from a pool of exciting prizes. Prizes to Be Won 5 x $1,000 Repco Authorised Service vouchers
Redeemable at any participating Repco Authorised Service centre nationwide. 20 x $100 fuel gift cards
Perfect for your next road trip or daily drive. 5 x Supercars merchandise packs
Valued at $100 each. 10 x car care gift packs

Total prize pool valued at up to $7990 including GST. How to Enter To participate: Book and complete a vehicle service at any Repco Authorised Service centre during the promotional period. Visit repcoservice.com/win Tell us in 25 words or less why you deserve to win a Love Your Car prize. Upload your receipt Submit your entry online before 11:59pm AEST on 30 September 2026.

From 1 June to 30 September 2026, service your vehicle at a Repco Authorised Service centre and YOU could win big in the Love Your Car promotion

Love Your Car & Win

Get ready to experience the thrill of the Supercars Gold Coast 500 - on us! Simply replace your car battery with a Repco battery at Repco Authorised Service and you could be heading to one of Australia’s most exciting motorsport events with your family. This is your chance to combine essential vehicle maintenance with an unforgettable holiday experience. What You Could Win One lucky winner will receive: Return flights for 2 adults and 2 children (if required) 3–4 nights accommodation 4 x General Admission Tickets to the Supercars Gold Coast 500 $500 spending money allowance Supercars merchandise pack Theme park tickets for 2 adults and 2 children Airport transfers (if required) From high-speed track action to theme park fun and beachside relaxation, this prize package delivers the ultimate family getaway. How to Enter Entering is easy: Have your car battery replaced with a Repco battery at Saunders Automotive between 1 June and 31 July 2026. Then, complete your entry online here. That’s it! You’ll be in the draw to win an incredible Gold Coast Supercars experience. Why Wait? A new battery keeps your vehicle reliable and ready for the road — and now it could also put you on track for an unforgettable family holiday. Book your battery replacement today at your Saunders Automotive and get your entry in before 31 July 2026. View full terms and conditions here. Don’t miss out - start your engines and enter today!

Enter for your chance to win a family trip to the Supercars Gold Coast 500! Replace your battery with Saunders Automotive between 1 June and 31 July 2026 to go in the draw.

Win a Family Gold Coast Experience

When it comes to protecting your new vehicle warranty, choosing the right workshop matters. Saunders Automotive provides professional new car servicing in Benalla for private vehicle owners, business fleets and drivers considering the purchase of a new vehicle. Our qualified technicians follow manufacturer servicing requirements, use quality parts and approved lubricants, and help keep your vehicle performing reliably while maintaining your statutory warranty rights. Many motorists still believe they must return their vehicle to the dealership for servicing to keep the warranty valid. Under Australian Consumer Law, you have the freedom to choose a qualified independent workshop for servicing and repairs without voiding your manufacturer’s warranty. As long as your vehicle is serviced according to the manufacturer’s specifications using suitable parts, fluids and service procedures, your warranty remains protected. At Saunders Automotive, our experienced technicians stay up to date with modern vehicle technology, diagnostic systems and servicing procedures. From passenger vehicles and SUVs to commercial utes and fleet vehicles, we provide reliable servicing tailored to the needs of today’s drivers. We use quality components and lubricants that meet or exceed manufacturer standards, giving you confidence that your vehicle is being maintained correctly from day one. For fleet owners, regular servicing plays an important role in reducing downtime, improving fuel efficiency and helping avoid unexpected repair costs. Keeping service records up to date can also support resale value and demonstrate that vehicles have been professionally maintained throughout their working life. Our team works with businesses across Benalla to help keep fleets safe, reliable and road-ready. If you are thinking about purchasing a new car, it is important to understand the difference between statutory warranties, manufacturer warranties and extended warranty offers. Every new vehicle sold in Australia is automatically covered by consumer protections under Australian Consumer Law. These rights exist regardless of any additional warranty packages offered at the dealership. Some dealership warranty or servicing packages may include conditions, restrictions or long-term servicing agreements that are not always clearly explained at the point of sale. In some cases, these offers may provide little additional benefit beyond the protections you already receive under your statutory rights. They can also limit flexibility when choosing where your vehicle is serviced in the future. Before agreeing to any extended servicing arrangement, it is worth considering practical factors such as convenience, servicing costs, workshop availability and waiting times. Choosing a trusted independent workshop like Saunders Automotive in Benalla can provide greater flexibility, personalised service and competitive pricing, while still ensuring your vehicle is maintained to the correct standards. Whether you already own a new vehicle, manage a business fleet or are researching your options before buying a car, the team at Saunders Automotive can help you make informed servicing decisions. We are committed to transparent advice, quality workmanship and helping customers protect the long-term reliability and value of their vehicles. Check out our frequently asked questions below for more information on New Car Service and warranties. If you need to know more, the AAAA website and ACCC website have some great information too. New Car Service Frequently asked questions What is a consumer guarantee? Under Australian Consumer Law (ACL), you are protected by a Consumer Guarantee which takes into account purchase price, realistic expectations of when a failure might occur, advertising claims and the conditions under which a vehicle should operate. Previously known as a Statutory Warranty, the Consumer Guarantee does not have a specific time limit associated with it nor can it ever be replaced by a manufacturers warranty, which is in addition to the Consumer Guarantee. What is a manufacturers warranty? Manufacturers warranties are essentially a promise to the buyer that the new vehicle will be free from defects for a specific time and that any such defects will entitle buyers to a repair or other compensation. According to the Competition and Consumer Act (2010), such warranties cannot state that a vehicle must be returned to an authorised dealer for service. What is an express or extended warranty? Often new car dealers will try to include "express" or "extended" warranties, sometimes for free, in the purchase of your new vehicle. These ‘extra' warranties are in addition to the manufacturers warranty and may include quite specific restrictions or provisions, usually in unclear or confusing language. Many of these contracts actually provide little or no additional benefits over and above the consumer's basic statutory rights and can tie the unwary buyer into a long term agreement with a specific car dealership. Extended warranties can (and often do) restrict you to a specific dealership, which can have its drawbacks. Can Saunders Automotive service my new car without voiding the warranty? There is no requirement to service your car at a manufacturer’s dealership to preserve; Any manufacturer’s warranty (that may apply to your vehicle). Any state or territory based statutory warranty (that may apply to your vehicle). Your rights to Consumer Guarantees (formerly known as implied statutory warranties). What steps will Saunders Automotive take to protect my warranty? Saunders Automotive are fully qualified to carry out log book servicing, and we ensure all work is performed according to the manufacturer’s specifications, using appropriate quality parts, fluids and lubricants where required - meaning the manufacturer's warranty remains intact. In addition, all work carried out by Saunders Automotive is backed by the Repco Authorised Service Nationwide Warranty. Can Saunders Automotive stamp my logbook? Saunders Automotive can and will stamp your log book to verify the work has been conducted by fully qualified staff according to manufacturer’s specifications, using appropriate quality parts, fluids & lubricants. Will having my car serviced with Saunders Automotive help maintain the value? It goes without saying that a vehicle that has been well taken care of will maintain its value better than a poorly maintained one. Proof of a regular, properly adhered to service schedule will add further supporting evidence the car is in good condition. In addition to maintaining your warranty with correct service procedures, Saunders Automotive will stamp your logbook, which can prove invaluable should you ever decide to sell the car. What about extended warranty or service plans? Motor vehicle dealers sometimes offer their own extended (or express) warranties on vehicles. These extra warranties often begin after the manufacturer’s warranty and may stipulate that the vehicle must be serviced by the actual dealer offering the warranty. They are generally within their right to impose this condition, but the buyer should beware, such warranties are not always what they seem. Saunders Automotive will be happy to advise you on the conditions and relative value before you commit to any service plan.

Protect your new car warranty with professional servicing at Saunders Automotive in Benalla. Quality logbook servicing for private vehicles and fleets.

Saunders Automotive are the right choice for new car servicing

Repco Authorised Service is Australia's largest network of independent car service workshops and with that comes the reliability of a Nationwide Warranty. Each independently owned Repco Authorised Service workshop offers you an Australian-wide warranty ensuring the goods and services you receive are free from defects in materials and workmanship. This warranty is in addition to your rights under the Australian Consumer Law. If something does go wrong or you have a question about our Nationwide Warranty, please get in touch with us here. With over 500 Repco Authorised Service centres Australia wide, there are few places you won't find one of our workshops within easy reach. Warranty Period For services provided by any Repco Authorised Service workshop, the warranty is for a period of 12 months or 20,000kms (whichever comes first) from the date of your invoice. Claims If you need to make a claim under the warranty, please contact the Repco Authorised Service workshop that originally completed the work on your vehicle. The workshop where the work was originally performed will be responsible for responding to and accepting claims. If the original workshop can't help, they may authorise another workshop in the network to assist. Terms and Conditions What does the warranty cover? The Repco Authorised Service workshop will have the option of reperforming, replacing or repairing the good or service if it is or becomes defective during the warranty period, at no additional charge.
a.       Where the good or service is replaced, repaired or reperformed pursuant to this warranty, the replacement good or reperformed service will be subject to the terms of this warranty commencing on the date of the original invoice.
b.       If you request for a good to be repaired, your Repco Authorised Service workshop may choose to replace the good with a refurbished good of the same type. The warranty will cover any reasonable diagnosis or scanning fees conducted by the relevant Repco Authorised Service workshop, if such goods or services are later found to be defective. If the work done on your vehicle involves the supply of services from another service provider nominated by the Repco Authorised Service centre, the warranty offered by such service provider will replace this Nationwide Warranty to the extent of such goods .  The Repco Authorised Service centre will advise you of the terms and conditions of such warranty. The rights and obligations under this warranty remain solely with the original Repco Authorised Service workshop that provided you with the product or service. The benefit of this warranty is personal to you and is not transferable. What does the warranty not cover? This warranty does not cover: normal wear and tear and consumable goods such as globes, wipers, and fluids; loss of any data stored in your vehicle like music or phone numbers; and any incidental loss or damage caused by the defect, such as towing fees, loss of profits, loss of use and loss of goodwill or other loss or damage that cannot reasonably be considered to arise normally. This warranty is void if the defect is a consequence of misuse, neglect, abuse, incorrect operation or improper maintenance of the vehicle, accident, or other use that is not otherwise caused by a Repco Authorised Service workshop. How to submit a warranty claim Step 1: Have your original invoice ready. Step 2: Ensure that you make your claim within the warranty period. Step 3:  Please contact the Repco Authorised Service centre that carried out the relevant repairs or maintenance on your vehicle. Their contact details are on  your original invoice.  Your rights under the Australian Consumer Law The goods and services acquired from a Repco Authorised Service workshop comes with guarantees that cannot be excluded under the Australian Consumer Law. For major failures with the service, you are entitled: to cancel your service contract with us; and to a refund for the unused portion, or to compensation for its reduced value. You are also entitled to choose a refund or replacement for major failures with goods. If a failure with the goods or a service does not amount to a major failure, you are entitled to have the failure rectified in a reasonable time. If this is not done, you are entitled to a refund for the goods and to cancel the contract for the service and obtain a refund of any unused portion. You are also entitled to be compensated for any other reasonably foreseeable loss or damage from a failure in the goods or service.

Enjoy peace of mind with the Repco Authorised Service Nationwide Warranty. Quality parts and labour covered at over 500 locations across Australia.

Saunders Automotive

Cars are our passion.

Don’t Wait for a Problem: Why Regular Log Book Servicing Matters

Air Filters

Love Your Car & Win

Win a Family Gold Coast Experience

Saunders Automotive are the right choice for new car servicing

Nationwide Warranty