Mitsubishi Motors Australia has significantly strengthened its customer aftercare package, now offering up to 10 years of roadside assistance alongside its existing 10-year warranty and capped-price servicing. The move further solidifies Mitsubishi’s commitment to long-term vehicle ownership benefits, though all components are contingent on owners adhering to the manufacturer’s service schedule at authorized dealerships.
The Diamond Advantage Program: A Deep Dive
The updated Diamond Advantage program is designed to provide peace of mind to buyers, bundling the key elements of ownership into a single, extended package. Here’s how it works:
- Roadside Assistance: Buyers receive an initial 12 months free, then an additional 12 months for each subsequent service performed at a Mitsubishi dealership, up to a maximum of 10 years.
- Warranty: Mitsubishi’s standard 5-year/100,000km new car warranty extends to 10 years/200,000km when the vehicle is serviced on time within its dealership network.
- Capped-Price Servicing: Ensures transparent and predictable maintenance costs throughout the vehicle’s lifespan.
Why this matters: Mitsubishi’s approach is notable because it directly ties long-term benefits to dealership service, ensuring revenue for the brand while incentivizing customer loyalty. This contrasts with some competitors who offer unlimited-km warranties but may not tie them as tightly to authorized service centers.
Competitive Landscape: A Race for Extended Coverage
Mitsubishi is not alone in offering extended warranties; Nissan and MG have also recently announced similar, albeit slightly different, programs.
- Nissan: Launched a 10-year/300,000km warranty in February 2025, also contingent on dealership servicing.
- MG: Rolled out a 10-year/250,000km warranty in late 2024 with similar conditions.
However, there are key distinctions: Mitsubishi’s roadside assistance is explicitly limited to “new private retail buyers,” excluding fleet and commercial customers. Nissan and MG’s policies regarding commercial buyers vary; MG offers a shorter warranty for commercial use (7 years/160,000km) while Nissan’s standard warranty remains at 5 years/unlimited km.
The Evolution of Long-Term Warranties
Mitsubishi’s move builds on its history of pioneering long warranties in the Australian market. The company first introduced a “5-10” warranty in 2003, offering a 5-year standard warranty with a 10-year powertrain coverage.
The trend: The growing competition among manufacturers to offer longer warranties reflects a broader industry strategy to attract and retain customers. Extended coverage reduces ownership risks and can significantly influence purchase decisions, especially in a market where consumer confidence is high but economic uncertainty persists.
Conclusion
Mitsubishi’s expanded Diamond Advantage program reinforces the brand’s commitment to long-term ownership value, but with strict servicing requirements. The move positions Mitsubishi competitively against Nissan and MG, which also offer extended coverage, though the devil is in the details – particularly concerning commercial vehicle usage and the enforcement of dealership servicing. Ultimately, these warranty extensions benefit consumers who prioritize peace of mind, provided they are willing to commit to the manufacturer’s service network.
