How Does a Car Warranty Work?
A car warranty is a contract between the car manufacturer and the buyer, where the manufacturer agrees to cover the cost of repairs if the car breaks down due to a manufacturing defect.
This warranty protects you from having to pay for expensive repairs, including replacement parts and labor, when a design flaw is involved.
Not all warranties are the same, so it's crucial to review what your car's warranty covers. Check for any excess charges and be aware of any mileage or age limitations on the vehicle.
Warranties typically do not cover wear-and-tear items like tires or brake pads. However, they usually cover major components such as the engine, battery, fuel systems, transmission, suspension, brakes, and steering. Remember, the specifics are often in the fine print, so read your warranty details carefully.
What Does a Car Warranty Cover?
Every aftermarket warranty provider will highlight the benefits of their policy, but not all warranties are the same. At the lower end, you might find coverage limited to major components like the engine and gearbox, which rarely fail, potentially making it difficult to claim for repairs.
More expensive and comprehensive policies claim to cover every part of the car in case of a malfunction. If you're unsure what is included, ask for specifics before purchasing the policy.
In addition to covering the cost of replacement parts, compare how much each policy contributes to labor costs. Some policies have a high labor rate cap, ensuring your car can be repaired at an approved dealer or independent garage. Policies with lower labor caps might require you to use a garage you wouldn't normally choose.
Some warranties also include roadside assistance or breakdown cover. If you already have this coverage through your insurance or bank account, you could be paying extra for something you don't need.
Where should I look for a used car warranty?
Once the manufacturer's warranty expires, you have several options:
Sell the car, accept the depreciation loss, and buy a new one to benefit from the new manufacturer's warranty.
Do nothing and cover any repair costs yourself. This can be risky as sometimes you might get lucky and face no issues, but other times you could end up with a significant repair bill.
Opt for a manufacturer's extended warranty. These can be expensive and might not be available for all models.
Here at Regit we have teamed up with Motoreasy who will cover the cost of most mechanical and electrical failures up to the value of your vehicle, from as little as £35.00 per month. Whether you need an extended car warranty, or to take out a used car warranty, Motoreasy have got you covered.
Whether you’re buying second-hand or already own a vehicle, their extended warranty will cover all parts and labour costs, including diagnostics to identify the underlying fault.
Motoreasy provides warranties for all cars including electric and hybrid vehicles. All warranty claims are handled by their team of expert engineers, who will be able to assess the damage and diagnose issues with your vehicle, deciding the best course of action for repair.
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MotorEasy Car Warranty Covers:
Wear and Tear
Failures caused by overheating
Air conditioning problems
Failures identified during MOT and servicing
Emissions failures
In-car entertainment
Recovery
Sat nav
Warranty FAQ's
Why do you need a car warranty?
A car warranty is designed to provide you with the peace of mind that should your car develop a fault, it can be fixed with little or no cost to you. While vehicles are more reliable than ever, the increasing complexity and integrated nature of their mechanical and electrical components can result in an expensive repair bill. A warranty protects you from these costs, potentially saving you thousands of pounds.
How is the car warranty claims process managed?
In the event your vehicle displays a fault, please refer to your car warranty plan document to see the next steps. All claims are managed through a team of in-house engineers, who will assist in the fault diagnosis process to confirm whether the repairs are authorised.
You should never go ahead with any warranty work without prior approval, or this may result in your claim being rejected as the warranty administrator does not have the chance to check parts and labour costs, and ensure a fair value is given for a diagnosis.
We may also need to send an independent inspector to the vehicle, who will produce a more detailed report of how and why the fault has occurred.
What is an extended warranty?
An extended car warranty covers you for repairs after a manufacturer’s standard warranty has expired. It’s a way for you to reduce the risk of your cost exposure, should your vehicle develop a sudden or unexpected mechanical or electrical failure to a covered component.
Will a car warranty pay for my service?
Services are not included in a car warranty. You will need to purchase a car service separately from your warranty cover. Note, all warranty providers will require you to maintain your vehicle according to its manufacturer service schedules. To keep your warranty valid, you must ensure your vehicle is properly taxed, insured, and has an up-to-date service and MOT record.
Which parts does the car warranty not cover?
A car warranty does not cover accidental damage - this would be covered by your main motor insurance provider.
A car warranty also won’t cover consumable, perishable, frictional or service parts. This includes but is not limited to, brake pads, batteries, tyres, wiper blades, filters and clutch plates.
Is consequential damage covered under a car warranty?
Consequential damage is where the failure of a non-covered item, causes damage or failure to a covered item. Some warranty companies use consequential damage clauses to avoid pay-outs on claims.
