Top 10 things you need to know about car warranties

Buying a car with a warranty can be comforting for drivers.  After all, they are insurance products for a vehicle which will protect you from footing the bill of surprising, and sometimes expensive, repair costs. They also often cover you when your car simply needs looking at due to general wear and tear.

But there are some things that you should know when it comes to car warranties. With the help of Advanced Radiators, we look at the most common myths to ensure you don’t trip up when looking into these policies:

1.      You need a car warranty to drive

On the contrary to what most people think, you are not required to have a car warranty. Usually new cars come with a standard warranty which lasts three years and 60,000 miles. After this, it is your decision whether you would like to purchase additional car warranty, or if you are prepared to accept the risk of an unexpected repair bill.

2.      To get finance for a car, you need warranty

This is just a sales technique – you can get a car on finance without warranty. Don’t get sucked into sales pitches like this as having a car warranty is not essential.

3.      Every car warranty is the same

There are many different offers when it comes to car warranties. Some warranties are more comprehensive than others which may be necessary for your car. Conduct your due diligence before purchasing a car warranty to prevent any small print that you may have missed or hidden charges.

4.      You can only buy car warranty at the place where you bought your car

As the motor industry is competitive, there are many different rates when it comes to warranties for your car. It is possible that the dealership from which you purchased your car may offer you a good deal, however you should still shop around and do your research to find a car warranty that will benefit you and your vehicle.

5.      You need a full-service history to get a warranty

You’re also not obliged to give a service history of your vehicle to buy a warranty. However, you should ensure that your car is in good condition and has been looked after in accordance with the manufacturers schedule.

6.      You don’t need to maintain your car, your warranty will cover it

Even if your car has warranty, you’re still responsible for maintaining it. To keep maintenance of the car high, you should follow advice outlined in your driver’s manual.

7.      All problems that occur are covered by your warranty

If you have a warranty with your cars manufacturer, this is likely to be true. But there are always exceptions and exclusions – you should check the terms and conditions to know where you stand.

8.      All types of car warranties fall under the same categories

If you have a regular breakdown, this is referred to as a ‘wear and tear’, however if you have a mechanical breakdown this is likely to be due to a manufacturers issue. Bear in mind that breakdown cover is not the same as a car warranty, as that type of cover will simply take your car to the garage – it will not pay for the charges you will face.

9.      You can buy a car warranty to fix a problem that has already occurred

Before purchasing a warranty, your car should be in its best standard – any damages that occur before such as problems with your car radiators will be voided on your warranty. You will find that many providers will not pay out on claims made within 90 days to avoid drivers taking out a warranty on a car that had existing problems.

10. If your cars too old, you can’t get warranty

If your car is over 10 years-old combined with over 100,000 miles, it might be difficult to find a company that will give you warranty. There are a few companies out there that will offer car warranties to vehicles up to 12-years old but you will be faced with a higher cost.

 

Sources:

https://www.autoloansolutions.ca/blog/5-myths-on-extended-car-warranty-under-the-spotlight/

https://www.honestjohn.co.uk/car-warranty/top-10-warranty-myths-debunked/

http://www.warrantywise.co.uk/warranty-myths/