Changes to warranties and service intervals in 2026: what every company needs to know

In 2026, not only the legislative environment around company cars is changing (VAT, emission standards, mandatory assistance systems), but also the manufacturers' philosophy on warranties and service intervals. For medium and large companies, this is not a "technical detail" but a factor that directly affects the total cost of ownership (TCO), the risk of unplanned downtime and residual value.

This article explains how warranties and service intervals work in 2026, what the new trends are in the EU and Slovakia, what the specific implications are for corporate fleets and how AVIS (AVIS MaxiRent, AVIS Lease, AVIS Van) can help companies transfer both technical and financial risks to a professional partner.

1. 2026 context: warranties, service and TCO under pressure of change

1.1 Why everyone is addressing TCO right now

The cost of new vehicles has risen sharply in recent years - a combination of emissions standards, safety systems, digitalisation and higher interest rates has led to:

Purchase price and lease payments are pushing TCO up,
servicing and repairs are more expensive for more complex technology (ADAS, plug-in hybrids, EVs),
companies also have to deal with tighter tax rules - for example, changes to the VAT deduction in Slovakia from 1 January 2026 for company cars.

Modern fleet analysis shows that maintenance and repairs now account for around 10-15% of a company car's TCO, while the biggest items are financing/depreciation and fuel/energy. If warranties are being shortened or service intervals extended "on paper" but the vehicle is actually serviced less, the risk of more expensive out-of-warranty repairs rises - and with it, TCO.

1.2 What the 2026 changes mean for fleets

The year 2026 brings a confluence of several trends:

EU requirements for warranty and product lifetime information are tightening (new harmonised labels, emphasis on repairability),
manufacturers are pushing for longer service intervals (24-30k km or more) and a move to condition-based maintenance for connected vehicles,
longer battery warranties (often 8 years) are becoming standard for EVs and plug-in hybrids, and the range of extended warranties is expanding,
companies in Slovakia are addressing VAT and the tax-optimal form of mobility (operating lease vs. long-term lease vs. purchase).

It is important for the fleet manager not to look at warranty and service in isolation, but as part of the TCO and risk profile of the fleet.

2. How the warranty works in the EU and Slovakia in 2026

2.1 Legal warranty vs. commercial manufacturer warranty

For vehicles in the EU, there is a difference between:

legal liability for defects (legal warranty) - minimum 2 years, implied by European and national legislation, cannot be "switched off" in the contract,
commercial manufacturer's/importer's warranty - beyond the law, often 3-7 years or a combination of years and kilometres, with precise conditions (service in an authorised network, original parts, adherence to service intervals).

From the company's point of view, it is essential that the commercial warranty is always linked to disciplined service. If the driver or company fails to meet the intervals, the manufacturer can reject the claim - and the cost of the repair goes directly to the TCO.

2.2 New EU rules: repair, durability and information

The European Union has adopted a number of changes in recent years that also affect cars:

The "repair instead of replace" directive introduces incentives for product repair - for some products (including complex technology), consumers can obtain a 1 year extension of the legal warranty if they choose repair instead of replacement,
new rules on harmonised information on legal warranty and commercial durability guarantee will require clearer indication of how long the manufacturer guarantees the functionality of the product from autumn 2026.

For companies, this means:

Clearer terms on paper,
but also an emphasis on service documentation - digital service booklets, invoices, repair records.

For fleets, it is a great advantage if a partner like AVIS takes over this documentation and the communication with authorised service centres on behalf of the company.

3. Warranty trends 2025-2026: longer coverage, more exclusions

3.1 Warranty standards in Europe

In the European market in 2025-2026 we encounter roughly the following standards:

3 years of warranty is a common standard for most brands,
5-7 years is offered by some manufacturers (especially for selected models and in competitive segments),
high voltage battery warranty for plug-in hybrids and EVs is usually 8 years or approx. 160,000 km,
there is a rapidly growing market for extended warranties and service packages that cover the vehicle often for up to 8-10 years (at an additional cost).

For corporate fleets this has two effects:

It can be tempting to rely on long warranties when buying a vehicle yourself.
In practice, however, you need to expect that a large proportion of the more expensive breakdowns will occur after the basic warranty expires - especially on high-mileage journeys.

3.2 Electric cars and battery warranties

Electric cars and plug-in hybrids have a specific structure of warranties:

Standard vehicle warranty (e.g. 3-5 years),
a separate battery warranty (typically 8 years and a certain mileage limit),
some premium manufacturers offer planned battery replacement programmes or extended 'battery care' packages.

For TCO it is important to monitor:

At what minimum residual SOH (State of Health) of the battery does the warranty apply (e.g. 70% of capacity),
whether the eventual battery replacement can be covered by an extended warranty or service package,
how these conditions translate into the residual value of the vehicle at the end of the lease.

With operating leases and long-term leases through AVIS, the risk of battery degradation and future repairs passes to the lessor - the company pays a fixed rental.

3.3 Growth of the extended warranty market

Extended warranties and service packages are a growing market in Europe. Reasons:

Increasing complexity of vehicles (ADAS, infotainment, connectivity),
higher prices for parts and labour,
pressure from companies for predictable costs and minimising the risk of large one-off repairs.

For medium and large companies, it makes sense to consider extended warranties in the form of a comprehensive package of services (full service leasing) rather than buying warranties for individual cars individually. It is precisely because of the size of the fleet that AVIS is able to put together a package that is difficult for an individual company to achieve.

4. Service intervals: shorter, longer or "by data"?

4.1 Classic fixed intervals vs. linked cars

Historically, service intervals have been simple - e.g. every 15,000 km or once a year. Today we see three approaches by manufacturers:

Short intervals (e.g. 10-15,000 km or 1 year) - a conservative but safe model.
Long intervals (e.g., 30,000 km or 2 years) - marketing attractive, reduce "visible" service to the customer.
Variable, data-driven intervals - vehicle self-reports service needs based on driving style, cold starts, number of short trips, etc.

For high-mileage fleets, the combination of long paper intervals and heavy service can be risky - oil and components age sooner than the average driver profile on which the manufacturer's marketing was built.

4.2 Why 'too long' intervals are a risk to TCO

When driving in heavy-duty mode (short urban routes, frequent cold starts, trailer towing, heavy loads), too long an interval can have the following consequences:

Accelerated engine and transmission wear,
higher incidence of breakdowns after the warranty has expired,
decrease in residual value,
longer service downtime and higher replacement vehicle costs.

The result: while the company "saves" on two service visits during the warranty, it pays significantly more in out-of-warranty repairs or faster fleet replacement after 3-4 years.

4.3 How AVIS approaches service intervals

For its own fleets (AVIS MaxiRent, AVIS Lease, AVIS Van), AVIS does not see servicing as a mandatory item, but as an investment in the life cycle of the vehicle:

it uses predictive service planning according to actual mileage and usage,
cooperates with authorised repairers to ensure that warranty conditions are met,
keeps clear SLAs on the replacement vehicle so that the driver is not left without mobility,
can provide a full service history when vehicles are sold at the end of the lease - this increases residual value.

For the client, this means they don't have to decide whether to 'save' on servicing - they have servicing built into the monthly rental.

5. The impact of warranty and service on the TCO of the company fleet

5.1 How much of the TCO is service and repairs

For a typical company fleet in Europe, the TCO structure looks something like this:

Depreciation/financing: 35-45%
fuel/energy: 25-35%
maintenance and repairs: 10-15%
insurance costs: 8-12%
tyres: 3-5%
administration, taxes, downtime: the rest

At first glance, 10-15% may not seem like much. However, all it takes is a few more expensive out-of-warranty failures (automatic transmission, turbo, power electronics, plug-in hybrid battery) and maintenance can jump to 20-25% of a particular vehicle's TCO.

5.2 Scenario 1: Own vehicles with long intervals

A company buys vehicles to own, takes advantage of attractive long service intervals from the manufacturer, and sells them after 4-5 years. Risks:

Pressure on the fleet to "last" as long as possible,
higher risk of breakdowns after the end of the basic warranty,
lower residual value in case of non-consistent servicing,
greater variability of cash flow (unplanned repairs).

The advantage is potentially more control over the vehicles, the disadvantage is the transfer of all technical and financial risks to the company.

5.3 Scenario 2: Operating lease and long-term rental of AVIS

The situation looks different for an operating lease or a long-term lease through AVIS:

the monthly instalment/rent includes servicing, maintenance, tyres, assistance and often a spare vehicle,
AVIS optimises the service intervals and the type of services to protect the residual value and minimise downtime,
the company has one invoice per month and a clear budget, without the need to make provisions for unplanned repairs,
in case of legislative changes (e.g. VAT from 2026), AVIS can propose a tax-clean solution (prepayment of rent, correct setup of contracts).

The result: the company shifts the risk of both technical obsolescence and cost volatility to the provider and focuses on the core business.

6. 2026: what medium and large firms should do

6.1 Three strategic questions for the fleet manager

How long do you realistically want to use the vehicles?
- If you are planning a 3-4 year cycle, long warranties over 5 years are not that relevant to you - the service package included is more important.
What is your usage profile?
- High mileage, urban distribution, off-road service - these are all modes where the "marketing" service interval can be dangerously long.
Who bears the risk at the end of the warranty?
- With self-ownership you always do, with an operating lease a significant part of the risk passes to the provider.

6.2 A practical checklist for 2026

Review your fleet policy: what minimum warranties and service packages do you require from suppliers.
Map out the actual service costs over 3-5 years - not just planned inspections but also repairs.
Take into account the VAT changes from 1/1/2026 - you can have a simpler and more transparent process when operating leases and long term rentals through AVIS.
Make sure you have clear rules for company drivers for servicing (when to book, who approves repairs, what is done when there is a breakdown on the road).
Consider moving part or all of your fleet to an operating lease or long-term lease with a full-service package.

7. How AVIS works with warranties, service and TCO

7.1 All in one payment

AVIS MaxiRent and AVIS Lease are built so that a company doesn't have to deal with dozens of separate items:

Insurance,
service and maintenance,
tyres,
roadside assistance,
replacement vehicle according to the package chosen,
administration (STK, EC, vignettes according to the product).

The result is one monthly payment that includes most of the TCO items that the company would otherwise have to keep in budget and reserves.

7.2 Working professionally with service intervals

AVIS works with real fleet data:

sets optimal oil and filter change intervals according to the type of operation,
schedules tyre changes and seasonal servicing in a timely manner,
handles communication with the insurance company and the workshop on behalf of the client in the event of damage and unscheduled repairs.

For the company, this means fewer internal phone calls, less paperwork and less risk of a vehicle "missing" a service and jeopardizing the warranty.

7.3 A tax-clean and transparent model after 2026

From 2026 onwards, companies in Slovakia will also deal with the limitation of VAT deductions for passenger vehicles. AVIS is responding to this:

the possibility of timing contracts and payments so that the client takes maximum advantage of the current legislation,
transparent invoices where the rental service is clearly separated from additional items,
advice on setting up the fleet in a way that is both tax and operationally efficient.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

1. Do longer service intervals always mean lower TCO?

No. Longer intervals may reduce the number of service visits during the warranty period, but in heavy use they often lead to faster wear and tear and more expensive repairs after the warranty expires. From a TCO perspective, it is the quality and discipline of the service that is more important, not the maximum stretched interval.

2. How do I know if my fleet is using the warranty optimally?

Check that all vehicles are serviced on time and in accordance with the manufacturer's terms and conditions, that you have complete documentation and what proportion of service costs are incurred outside the warranty. It is a good idea to audit your fleet over the last 2-3 years.

3. Is an extended manufacturer's warranty worthwhile for companies?

It can be worthwhile, especially with a longer planned vehicle ownership cycle. However, for most medium and large businesses it is usually more advantageous to obtain extended coverage in the form of an operating lease or long-term lease with a full-service package where warranties and service are part of a single solution.

4. How do warranties change for electric vehicles?

The battery warranty on EVs is generally longer than the rest of the vehicle (often 8 years). At the same time, there is a growing market for programs to extend the warranty, extend coverage or planned battery replacement. For fleets, the key is to have these risks included in the rental or lease payments, not dealt with on a one-off basis.

5. What is the advantage of AVIS over buying the cars yourself?

AVIS combines fleet size, bargaining power with manufacturers, service and insurance companies and know-how from thousands of vehicles. The company thus gains a stable TCO, a replacement vehicle in the event of downtime, professional service management and the assurance that warranties are used to the maximum.

TL;DR - key insights in points

The year 2026 brings tighter EU rules for warranty information, pressure on repairability, as well as the growing importance of service packages.
Warranties are formally being extended, but their real value depends on service discipline and quality of documentation.
Servicing and repairs account for around 10-15% of TCO, but can jump significantly higher with neglected servicing.
For corporate fleets, operating leases or long-term rentals with a full-service package are often more cost-effective than owning the vehicles themselves.
AVIS helps companies transfer both technical and financial risks to a professional partner and set up their fleet to cope with 2026 and the coming legislative changes.

Keywords and entities

Main keywords:

Warranty
service intervals
TCO
operating lease
long-term lease
company fleet
AVIS MaxiRent
AVIS Lease

Related entities and topics:

VAT on company cars from 2026
electric cars and plug-in hybrids
battery warranty
full service leasing
SLA (service level agreement)
replacement vehicle
assistance services
authorised service
residual value of the vehicle

Conclusion and call to action

Warranties and service intervals are no longer just a technical attachment to the contract. In 2026, they are one of the key tools to keep TCO under control, minimize vehicle downtime and protect a company's cash flow. Long warranties and marketing-attractive service intervals are not enough on their own - it's the combination of the right financing model, quality service and professional fleet management that counts.

If you want to make sure your fleet is ready for 2026 and other legislative changes, get in touch. The AVIS team in Slovakia can help:

Analyse your current fleet and actual TCO,
suggest the optimal mix of operating leases and long-term rentals,
set up warranties and service packages to keep your costs under control.

Contact AVIS via avis.sk, avismaxirent.sk, avislease.sk or contact our specialists directly to arrange a consultation on your fleet.