Warranty Ending Soon, What Are My Options?

[Keith Lard]

Never had an extended warranty and not regretted it thus far.

Given the amount of stuff thats not covered I've decided against one for my new car.

You can fix most stuff yourself (or via an Indie) for reasonable prices if you do some research and shop around, especially if you are reasonably handy with the tools.

People must (overall) pay in more than they receive in payments or the firms providing warranty cover wouldn't exist. Put the money in a cupboard until you have a problem. I'd wager in the majority (not all, I admit) of cases you'll spend less on repairs (covered by warranty) than you would on warranty cover.

[blueR36]

Would not touch warranty Direct with a bargepole, good at wriggling out of any claim!

[uncle bulgaria]

When we bought SWMBOs last fabia, it was 2 1/2 years old (so had 6 months on Skoda warranty left) we agreed with the dealer that they would commence the Skoda extended warranty for two years after the first 3 years were up as part of the deal.

When the documents came through the were headed ""Xxxxxxxxx" Warranty for Skoda", so looked official on first glance. We had a problem arise and needed to make a claim, which was declined. It was then that I realised it wasn't the genuine Skoda warranty. Argument ensued with the dealer and a solicitors letter to the MD later they accepted they had supplied the wrong warranty (supposedly a genuine mistake!), fixed the faults at their cost and provided the Genuine Skoda Elita Warranty for two years as agreed.

We had to claim three times on the Skoda warranty, once for a new ECU, the second one was for a new radiator & the third was for having the piston rings re-done. There was never an argument on any of the Skoda claims, and by the time the piston rings were done the car was nearly 6 years old.

I personally can't see the point of paying extra for a warranty that includes the replacement of genuinely worn out service parts, as you don't get this for free! The cost is covered within your premium, and I'd be expecting to "maintain" the vehicle anyway. Like others I stick a certain amount away for "maintenance". What I do want a warranty to cover are major mechanical & electrical failures, the unforeseen stuff.

The one thing to watch out for in the small print is if they use genuine manufacturers components, pattern & none genuine parts or insist on reconditioned parts as against replacements.

I've also found that when we claimed off the the Skoda warranty we paid a £50 excess, and because we "paid" for a genuine part, that gave that item a 2 year warranty of its own, which meant that radiator & piston rings would have been covered until the car was nearly 8 years old!

I've every intention of covering our Scout with something, especially due to the complex mix of turbo, haldex & DSG! But will be scanning the small print nearer the time.

[uncle bulgaria]

Oh.... FWIW, the RAC warranty that came "free" (yeah right!) with SWMBO's MX5..... Absolutely dire! Refused to exchange a gearbox, said it could have synchro repaired, despite two transmission specialist saying it was a more expensive, less successful option, and they would only cover the repair for 3 months! If they'd have let me have the new box which was the cheaper option, i'd have had a full 12 month g'tee! So now as the synchro is going again, I'll be faced with sorting it out myself