This page has been designed as a quick reference guide on some of the most frequently asked questions regarding vehicle manufacturer warranties and extended warranty agreements.
A vehicle warranty provides protection against having to pay for parts and labour following the mechanical or electrical failure of components such as an engine, fuel pump or radiator which could prove very expensive to repair.
It is important that you read the terms and conditions of the policy carefully so that you are clear on what it does and doesn’t cover, as not all components within a car are included.
Warranty policies tend not to include consumable or “wear and tear” items such as tyres, batteries, windscreen wipers, brakes and clutches. Therefore, it is likely that you will have to pay for the replacement of these if they fail because they have worn.
Most brand new cars will come with a three-year warranty, but some vehicle manufacturers offer as much as five or seven, so it is worth taking the time to understand the term of the agreement. Some may also cover you up to a certain mileage limit (e.g. 60,000 miles). Most warranties will expire once you have either met the mileage limit or the timeframe, whichever comes first. For example, if you have a three-year warranty with a 60,000 mile limit, and you drive 60,000 miles in two years, you will lose the last year of the warranty as you have reached the mileage limit.
Cars that are still under the initial manufacturers warranty will be covered under the New Car Code. You can find more information about this here.
Usually, if you are buying a used car, and it is under the mileage or time limit specified by the manufacturer, then the warranty will still apply when you buy it. Therefore, when purchasing a second-hand car, it is worth checking the paperwork to see how long is left on any applicable warranties and if there are any terms and conditions that need to be met for the warranty to apply.
Once the term of the vehicle manufacturer’s warranty expires, there is often the option of purchasing a new policy from the vehicle manufacturer to extend the existing agreement or buying an extended warranty from a third party or independent provider.
Even if you have an extended warranty, you will still need valid car insurance to stay legal on the road.
The cost of extended warranties varies by provider, so it is worth shopping around to make sure that it meets your requirements and budget.
Introduced in 2009, the Motor Industry Code of Practice for Vehicle Warranty Products aims to drive up standards across a wide range of automotive warranties, including both insured and non-insured products, by committing accredited businesses to higher standards than those required by law. These include service contracts (guarantees and extended warranties) and insurance policies such as Guaranteed Asset Protection (GAP) and alloy wheel insurance.
The Motor Industry Code of Practice for Vehicle Warranty Products covers the following key areas:
To view the businesses that are accredited to The Motor Ombudsman’s Vehicle Warranty Products Code, click here.
Ensuring that you fulfil the requirements of a warranty policy is essential to avoid any claims being declined.
You can invalidate a claim by:
When deciding which product is suitable for you, there are a few things to check:
To view the latest case studies in relation to The Motor Ombudsman’s Vehicle Warranty Products Code, please click here.
If you have a warranty-related problem, you can take a look at our Knowledge Base to see if we can answer your question. Otherwise, you can contact us here.