If you are close to buying a Changan and want to understand exactly what the warranty covers before you sign, this guide is for you. The 5-year / 150,000 km manufacturer warranty is one of Changan’s strongest selling points, but like every warranty, what matters is the fine print: what is included, what is excluded, and what you need to do to keep it valid.
This article covers:
- What the Changan factory warranty covers
- What the service plan includes and how it works
- What the Changan Care roadside assistance programme offers
- What is excluded from warranty cover
- What voids the warranty
- How to keep your warranty valid throughout the ownership period
- How Changan’s warranty compares to key rivals
What the 5-Year / 150,000 km Factory Warranty Covers
The Changan factory warranty covers defects in materials and workmanship on new vehicles for five years or 150,000 km from the date of first registration, whichever comes first. In plain terms, this means that if a mechanical or electrical component fails due to a manufacturing defect rather than normal wear or misuse, Changan will repair or replace it at no cost to you.
Cover includes major mechanical components (engine, transmission, drivetrain), the electrical system, the vehicle structure, body panels and paint defects. All warranty work must be carried out at an authorised Changan dealership using genuine Changan parts and factory-trained technicians.
What the 5-Year / 90,000 km Service Plan Includes
The service plan is a separate benefit from the warranty and covers the cost of scheduled maintenance over five years or 90,000 km (whichever comes first), at 15,000 km intervals. It is included as standard on most Changan CE models and is optionally available on CS-grade derivatives.
According to Changan’s SA service plan documentation, scheduled service cover includes:
- Engine oil and oil filter changes
- Air filter replacement
- Fuel filter replacement
- Spark plug replacement (at manufacturer-prescribed intervals)
- Labour costs for all prescribed service items
Service must be carried out at an authorised Changan service centre to keep both the service plan and the factory warranty valid. Using non-authorised workshops for services forfeits your service plan cover and may affect your warranty entitlement.
What the Changan Care Programme Offers
All SA-spec Changan vehicles include a 24-hour roadside assistance programme called Changan Care, valid for five years or 150,000 km alongside the factory warranty. This covers:
- 24-hour emergency roadside assistance
- Flat tyre assistance
- Emergency fuel delivery
- Jump-start assistance
- Emergency towing to the nearest authorised dealership
Changan Care is activated at the time of vehicle purchase and applies to the original registered owner. Confirm with your dealer at handover exactly how to activate and contact the programme, as this differs from the standard warranty claim process.
What Is Excluded From the Changan Warranty
The factory warranty does not cover everything, and buyers should understand these exclusions before assuming a repair will be covered:
Wear items. Tyres, brake pads, brake discs, clutch linings, wiper blades, light bulbs, filters, and other consumable parts that wear through normal use are not covered under the factory warranty. These are the owner’s cost throughout the ownership period.
Maintenance items. Engine oil, coolant, brake fluid and other fluids that are replaced as part of routine servicing fall outside warranty cover unless the service plan is active and the item is being replaced as part of a scheduled service.
Cosmetic and trim items. Minor interior scratches, upholstery wear, fading or discolouration of trim items through normal use are generally not covered.
Damage not caused by defect. Any damage arising from accident, fire, flood, hail, theft, vandalism, improper use, overloading, towing above the rated capacity, or driving in conditions the vehicle was not designed for (for example, water deeper than the rated wading depth) is excluded from warranty cover.
Modifications. Any non-standard modifications, including aftermarket performance parts, modified suspension, or non-OEM accessories, may affect or void warranty cover on related components.
What Voids the Changan Warranty
Certain actions will void your warranty partially or entirely. The most common are:
Missing a service interval. Failing to service the vehicle within 1,500 km or one month of the prescribed service interval can void warranty cover. This is the most frequent cause of warranty disputes across all brands, not just Changan.
Using non-authorised workshops. Having the vehicle serviced or repaired at a workshop that is not an authorised Changan dealer, or using non-genuine Changan parts in any repairs, can void the warranty on affected components.
Odometer tampering. Any interference with the vehicle’s odometer or service records will void the warranty in full.
Competitive or off-label use. Using the vehicle for track days, motorsport, commercial load carrying above the rated payload, or any purpose outside normal passenger vehicle use can void the warranty on affected components.
How to Keep Your Changan Warranty Valid
Three simple rules apply:
Service on time, every time. Book your vehicle for its prescribed service at or before the 15,000 km interval (or within one month of the service due date). The authorised dealership will stamp your service book and update the manufacturer’s digital service record.
Use authorised dealers and genuine parts. All warranty work and scheduled services must be carried out at an authorised Changan dealer. Keep all service invoices and records in your vehicle’s documentation file.
Report faults promptly. If a potential warranty fault develops, report it to your nearest Changan dealership as soon as it is detected. Delayed reporting of a fault that worsens over time can complicate the warranty claim.
How the Warranty Compares to Key Rivals
To put the Changan warranty in context:
| Brand | Vehicle Warranty | Service Plan | Engine Warranty |
| Changan | 5-year / 150,000 km | 5-year / 90,000 km | Included in vehicle |
| Haval / GWM | 7-year / 200,000 km | 7-year / 75,000 km | Included in vehicle |
| Chery | 5-year / 150,000 km | 5-year / 60,000 km | 10-year / 1,000,000 km |
| Toyota | 3-year / 100,000 km | 6-year / 90,000 km | Included in vehicle |
| Ford | 4-year / 120,000 km | 4-year / 60,000 km | Included in vehicle |
Changan’s 5-year vehicle warranty is competitive and significantly longer than Toyota or Ford. Its 90,000 km service plan allowance is the most generous among the Chinese brands listed. The trade-off is that Haval offers longer overall vehicle cover, and Chery’s 10-year engine warranty is the strongest single-component guarantee in the segment.
One Practical Note on Parts Availability
As a brand that relaunched in South Africa in late 2025, Changan’s parts supply chain is newer than established rivals. Jameel Motors has addressed this with a dedicated parts warehouse in Pomona, Gauteng that operates in partnership with DP World, a global logistics operator. Servicing costs for the Alsvin at 75,000 km were measured at 30% lower than European rivals, and 25% lower at 150,000 km, which gives a useful early indication of ongoing ownership costs across the range
