What's all this about?

With the coronavirus crisis locking down countries for extended periods, luxury carmaker Aston Martin has moved to placate its customers who might have warranty and/or servicing concerns during the pandemic.

In what way?

There's a condition in the Owner's Guide of every Aston Martin which says that failure to adhere to specified service intervals may invalidate the warranty coverage - but this is being waived for the foreseeable, for the obvious reason that every Aston Martin dealership worldwide is currently closed for business, meaning those owners whose cars need a service cannot possibly book it in for scheduled maintenance. However, Aston's waiver means that as long as the car in question is serviced within three months or 2,000 miles of the recommended schedule, then the warranty will be upheld. As soon as restrictions lift in all countries, then owners whose cars need a service or who have missed a service slot through no fault of their own will be contacted directly by Aston Martin, in order to arrange a service booking with their local dealer at the earliest possible opportunity.

Is that it for warranty help?

Not at all. Further to the servicing programme, Aston is also extending the manufacturer warranty. If an Aston's warranty is due to expire or already has expired, since March 14, 2020 - or, in the case of the Chinese market, since January 1, 2020 - then it will be extended until June 30, 2020. Broadly speaking, that covers all the countries in which lockdown conditions have been effected and from the date of their activation.

Anything else?

Andy West, director of client services at Aston Martin, said: "For all of us, the Covid-19 pandemic and associated lockdown has been, and will continue to be, a very trying time. While issues such as car maintenance and warranty cover are, quite rightly, not top-of-mind for many, we want to let our customers know that in partnership with our global dealer network we are doing all we can to support them, and their sports cars, through this period and will be looking forward to helping them get back behind the wheel of their beloved Aston Martin sports cars when it is safe and appropriate to do so."