Car warranties provide motorists with a lot of reassurance and offer protection from an unexpected and sometimes expensive repair bill. Not only that, but instances when your car simply needs a once over due to general wear and tear are also generally covered, giving drivers peace of mind and a sense of stability.
However, some myths do exist regarding car warranties, and it’s good to be aware of them in order to be treated fairly and pay reasonably. Here, we’ve teamed up with stockists of car radiators, Advanced Radiators, to debunk the most common myths to ensure you don’t trip up when looking into these policies. So, here is our IDEAL guide to car warranties.
You must have car warranty
It is not compulsory to have a car warranty, however much the adverts may insinuate to the contrary. Usually new cars come with a standard warranty which lasts three years and 60,000 miles. After this, it is your decision whether you’d like to purchase additional car warranty, or if you’re prepared to accept the risk of an unexpected repair bill.
You need car warranty to obtain finance for a vehicle
This is untrue, you can obtain finance for a vehicle if you do not have car warranty – although, some salesmen will try to sell you a warranty alongside your car as they often receive a fee or commission for doing so. Don’t get sucked into sales pitches like this as having a car warranty is not essential.
There’s no need to do research — all car warranties are the same
There are many car warranties out there that have different offers for you; some more suitable than others, and very much situation dependant. 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.
Car warranty can only be bought from the same dealership where you bought your car
There are many companies that offer car warranties at different rates and with different incentives. 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 most.
A full-service history is required to obtain warranty
Again, untrue. You do not need to provide a full-service history to purchase a warranty. However, you should ensure that your car is in good working condition and has been looked after in accordance with the manufacturer’s schedule.
You don’t need to tend to your car if you have car warranty
You are still responsible for the maintenance of your car even when it is covered by a car warranty. To keep on top of car maintenance, you should follow advice outlined in your driver’s manual.
Every problem with a car is covered by the warranty
With a manufacturer warranty or some comprehensive aftermarket warranties this is usually true. But there are always exceptions and exclusions – stay on the safe side and check the terms and conditions to know where you stand.
Car warranty for wear and tear breakdowns and warranty for mechanical breakdowns fall under the same category
Wear and tear refers to the normal breakdown of a car whereas mechanical breakdown is an issue that occurs due to a manufacturing error. 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 faced once there.
It’s OK to take out warranty and then get a car fixed which had a fault beforehand
You cannot have repairs covered which occurred before you took the warranty out, your car should be in the highest condition that it can be before taking out a 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.
There’s an age limit on cars receiving warranty
It is true that if your car is over 10 years-old and has more than 100,000 miles on the clock you may struggle to find a warranty to cover it. 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.
