Extended warranty - recommendations, please

[DadWagon]

New wing mirror control know going on tomorrow at a cost of £73.45.  :no: Door card has to be taken off, so almost half of that is labour. Have sent an email to the original supplying dealer (and to Skoda UK) asking for a contribution. I have my doubts. 

[Anzio]

I've just ploughed through all the posts on this topic, and to be honest wouldn't it be simpler to stick a couple of hundred quid in a tin each year " in case " anything should happen. I say " in case " because since the Yeti appeared everyone has been chuffed to bits about what a remarkable vehicle it's been. I haven't read many posts about Yeti's falling apart or people unhappy with them. So why all the fuss about extended warranty?

[DadWagon]

I've just ploughed through all the posts on this topic, and to be honest wouldn't it be simpler to stick a couple of hundred quid in a tin each year " in case " anything should happen. I say " in case " because since the Yeti appeared everyone has been chuffed to bits about what a remarkable vehicle it's been. I haven't read many posts about Yeti's falling apart or people unhappy with them. So why all the fuss about extended warranty?

For me it was simply about the DSG. If they go they can't really be fixed, they need to be replaced at thousands of pounds cost. If that happened outside a warranty I could not afford to pay it and I can't afford to be without a car. If it was a manual, I would personally self insure as you suggest.

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[DonjSZ5]

You are right there but it will get spent elsewhere.

 

Now that you have said it watch out 1 week after 3 year expiry...bammmmm, that engine pops its clogs...£5000 hmmmm. I wish I had that £300 or £640 warranty.

 

12 months £200 against £300, 24 months £400 against £600 it's a no brainer, but hey each to his/her own.

[oldstan]

I've just ploughed through all the posts on this topic, and to be honest wouldn't it be simpler to stick a couple of hundred quid in a tin each year " in case " anything should happen. I say " in case " because since the Yeti appeared everyone has been chuffed to bits about what a remarkable vehicle it's been. I haven't read many posts about Yeti's falling apart or people unhappy with them. So why all the fuss about extended warranty?

 

I wonder if you apply the same approach to house contents and buildings insurance?  Stick a few hundred quid in a tin and hope you don't burn the house down. (and the tin with it).

 

I used to attend houses that had suffered serious fires and flooding.  Bit of an eye opener when you see it at close quarters.

 

And yet again I say £144 a year to cover  DSG box / clutch pack failure or major engine failure seems quite good value to me.

[DonjSZ5]

It would be really good to read about a claim on the cheaper policies. Anyone know of one. But then again I only pay £250 a year in the event I have to have my house rebuilt. Let's hope Tesco are OK with it.

[Agent X20]

I will revist the dealer and ask for their comments ...

 

Branded third party but not a case of having to pay up front and then claim back.  Quite a bit not covered that is in the first three years such as airbags and sat nav unit... but as per the quotes above it is more for that expensive failure...

 

Offered a new F/L City/Indoor Elegance 1.2 DSG in Russo B... have come home and played on the Skoda configurator and it just doesnt do anything... :no:  not  great Yeti colour..  (IMPO.. :| ).. needs the Outdoor spec to break up the colour... hey ho.. looks like I'll keep Cuthbert for another couple of years..

[Anzio]

I wonder if you apply the same approach to house contents and buildings insurance?  Stick a few hundred quid in a tin and hope you don't burn the house down. (and the tin with it).

 

I used to attend houses that had suffered serious fires and flooding.  Bit of an eye opener when you see it at close quarters.

 

And yet again I say £144 a year to cover  DSG box / clutch pack failure or major engine failure seems quite good value to me.

No I don't, I've paid my buildings and contents premiums for 44 years and not once in all that time have I had any reason to make a claim. Most likely because I was brought up to look after what you have. " sticking it in a tin " is a figure of speech people use, obviously the bank would be normal place.

 

If, as I've read, a lot of you are worried about the DSG box, then why buy a vehicle with one? Save the money and worry.

[DadWagon]

A) wasn't aware of the issue before purchase

Octavia only car that met our requirements

C) Some people have to have an auto.

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[Anzio]

A bit of homework can be very beneficial before purchasing anything.

[DadWagon]

That's very true. In my case I googled reviews of the Octavia which came out in unanimous support of it and did not mention the DSG issue. Furthermore I went through all the owner reviews on autotrader.co.UK which were again very positive. You have to remember that a Google search only gives you what you ask for, so in many cases, with many products, unless you already know about the issue, it doesn't always become apparent until it's too late and you are actually searching for it. I just don't think "don't buy it then" is a helpful response to the issues people are having with the DSG product. If anything, if there is an issue with it, the response should be (to VAG) "Don't SELL it then'.

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[spottydog]

How much of an issue is there with the DSG in reality?

All cars have problems although a major gearbox issue would be a concern. 

What percentage of dsg's sold around the world have failed?

Without knowing this you don't know how big a problem it is. Forums by nature are full of disgruntled owners when something goes wrong

[DonjSZ5]

How much of an issue is there with the DSG in reality?

All cars have problems although a major gearbox issue would be a concern. 

What percentage of dsg's sold around the world have failed?

Without knowing this you don't know how big a problem it is. Forums by nature are full of disgruntled owners when something goes wrong

I can speak for another make of vehicle, which I did not research before purchase, that had a known mechanical fault. Only after I purchased it did I venture into the forum areas even though my vehicle did not have the problem. I popood the negative posters saying that you only hear and read of those that have. It went on for a few months, same guys stiring the ****.....when, you have guessed it mine contracted the fault...how embarrasing was that. I had to back track all my posts and appologise to those I had dissed. Now the dealer who carried out my repair told me the true story...I bet they never told the customers who were still buying them at that time. MIne took almost 2 years to resolve inside and outside of the 3 year warranty.

[DadWagon]

An update: I decided to go with the official Skoda warranty from my local dealer. Two years of warranty and assistance for £600. Also bought a £349 service plan (one minor one major). A sad day for the bank account but at least felt fully covered.

 

Yesterday the circular control knob to the electric folding mirrors came off in my wife's hand. Took it in. My question as to whether it was covered by warranty was taken as if it were a joke. I asked what particular clause in the warranty it was excluded under. Was it 'interior trim' perhaps. The response was "I have no idea. I have never read it." 

 

Whole thing was slightly complicated by the fact that it looked as if the knob has been off and superglued on the previous owner. But there was me thinking that buying a 'preloved' car from a Skoda garage, then having it serviced with another Skoda garage, including buying a Skoda service plan, Skoda warranty and Skoda assistance package, might just mean that I shouldn't have to worry about critical bits just falling off the car!

 

Then they checked for outstanding recalls, finding one for the DSG. Yes, that same DSG about which a few months earlier I had complained about judders in 2nd gear, and for which I had had to pay (even though under warranty) to have them reset the software. At the time the recalls had not yet reached the UK but I pointed out it was a known problem on Briskoda. I mentioned that I had been right and had wasted my money. No response. 

 

What started out as a great relationship with my local dealer has turned pretty sour...

 

 

Just called Skoda Approved Warranty Services today. They said that the control knob coming off is classed as damage and would not be covered in any case. Of course it would be impossible for the policy holder to prove otherwise. 

 

They did say that if they had 'had a rash' of similar problems then they would cover it. 

 

Great news from Skoda UK Customer Service. In response to my request/complaint, they have been on to the dealer and a cheque is on its way to cover the unnecessary DSG software reset I paid for prior to the DSG recall AND the wing mirror control knob. It seems there is some reward for brand loyalty. Well done Skoda UK!

[DGW]

That is good news!

[Timmy 7]

My car will be three years old in a month so I am just researching and pricing extended warranties. I was interested to see from reading above that CSMA do one (I'm a long standing member) but the on-line quote (CSMA Warranty 5) came up at £427.50 for 12 months. This is not very good! Am I missing something?

[oldstan]

Just logged in to the CSMA and did notice that it offers a warranty "quote", which I don't remember it doing previously...(although I could be wrong)...but I put in the Yeti details and it came up with £148.50.  It was £144 up to a few months ago.  These figures relate to up to 5 years old, of course,  and it's £175.50 over 5 yrs.

 

So nothing has radically changed and I don't know where your figure of £427.50 came from.

Edited 2 August, 2014 by oldstan

[Llanigraham]

I get the same figures as Stan!

Can't see where you get a £400+ figure.

[Timmy 7]

Just logged in to the CSMA and did notice that it offers a warranty "quote", which I don't remember it doing previously...(although I could be wrong)...but I put in the Yeti details and it came up with £148.50.  It was £144 up to a few months ago.  These figures relate to up to 5 years old, of course,  and it's £175.50 over 5 yrs.

 

So nothing has radically changed and I don't know where your figure of £427.50 came from.

 

I got the £427.50 from the process you described using my Yeti details. However when I put in the details for a 1.2 TSI I got £148.50, so I guess CSMA don't like 1.8 TSIs!

 

Thanks for replying  .

[oldstan]

Well I've learned something today then.

 

By way of experiment I  just put a neighbours reg.  in to the 'search for a quote' box.  A  Honda Accord. It came up £198.

 

Why I thought that the figure £148.50 was for all cars I don't know.

 

But, clearly, it thinks the the 1.8 TSi is a liability :-)

 

 

 

 

EDIT. I just put my little Hyundai  i10  in there too.....£180 !!  (It cost approx half what the Yeti did).

 

 

 

EDIT.  Just re-entered my own Yeti (a 1.2 DSG) .......same - £148.50.

Edited 2 August, 2014 by oldstan

[Timmy 7]

It is a bit surprising. Personally I'd worry more about a dsg than the 1.8 tsi!

[oldstan]

It is a bit surprising. Personally I'd worry more about a dsg than the 1.8 tsi!

 

 

That's the very reason I took cover out on it.  It's had a clutch pack under warranty and is fine now and I would be disappointed if it gave any more trouble....but £148 to cover the worst happening seems a bargain.  We've all learned something today...ta for raising it (although that's no help to you, I'm afraid).

Edited 2 August, 2014 by oldstan

[DGW]

My car will be three years old in a month so I am just researching and pricing extended warranties. I was interested to see from reading above that CSMA do one (I'm a long standing member) but the on-line quote (CSMA Warranty 5) came up at £427.50 for 12 months. This is not very good! Am I missing something?

Have you had a quote for the Skoda Approved Extended Warranty with Assistance, either from a Skoda dealer or direct from Car Care Plan? I paid £600 for 2 years cover for my Octavia Ii 1.8TSi 4X4 which is far better value than £427.50 for 12 months.

[oldstan]

There was some debate above about the premiums, with prices varying from my £149, up to Timmy 7's £427.

 

I just called the CSMA section of Car Care Plan, as my 1248cc Hyundai i10 came up at £180.

 

The fact of the matter seems to be that premiums are bracketed as follows, with prices given for online applications and non online :-

 

Up to 1200cc - £149 (non online price is £165)

1201cc to 1600cc - £180 (non online price is £200)

1601cc to 250cc - £198 (non online price is £220)

 

Fella was more than helpful, no long delays to speak to someone and he said all their advisors are ex-mechanics, so have some sort of idea what they, and you, are talking about... hopefully.

[nawd2]

I have just spoken to someone from CSMA warranty section who was very helpful. I explained that I was thinking of taking out the warranty, and explained that I was trying to find out whether it would in fact cover my 7 speed DSG gearbox. Specifically, I explained that the clutch packs had been replaced under the Skoda warranty at around 26000 miles (due to juddering), and that it has been fine since then, but I wanted to be sure that it would be covered if it recurred. Looking at the policy he said that he thought that this would be covered. I mentioned that this is a known fault, and that made him think that it might not be covered, because the policy is not there to cover design faults. If there was a failure then they would investigate and decide. I think therefore that there is some uncertainty here, and it might depend on whether this is genuinely a known design fault (does that depend on Skoda UK acknowledging the fault?). I understand that my clutch plates were replaced with a new design that eliminates the problem - which seems to be an admission of the original design being faulty. I would argue that this should mean that if I had a recurrence then I should be covered, as I have the new parts, but perhaps those with original design plates would not be covered. I suspect that any warranty provider might take a similar approach to CSMA, so I don't think that CSMA/Car Care Plan are being any worse than anyone else here. In fact I currently have Warranty Direct cover that is up for renewal (this would be the Extra Care variety) . When I originally took it out (Luxury Care) I was told over the phone that I was covered, but not in writing. I decided to check it out, and the following is some email dialogue that I had with someone from the claims department...

 

Me

...At the time that I took out the warranty I asked questions about whether the warranty covers the DSG gearbox. The clutch pack was replaced as per a Skoda TPI on 6/12/2012 when the mileage was 23609. The mileage is now over 48000 and the gearbox has been fine ever since, however I want to know whether the warranty would cover the gearbox if the same fault occurred in future, or if a different fault occurred on the gearbox. I think at the time of taking out the warranty I was told on the phone that the box would be covered, but I don’t have this in writing. Could you therefore tell me whether the gearbox would be covered please? I have had the gearbox oil replaced as per a recent Skoda advisory/recall (no. 34F7). The car was last serviced on 1/5/14 when the mileage was 45196. It is having its MOT on Thursday (24/7/14).

 

WD

With regards to your question below I have been advised that if your vehicle has a fully automatic clutch which is described as a “Wet Clutch” then yes a claim would be covered, but if your vehicle has a manual clutch which is described as a “Dry Clutch” then a claim wouldn’t be covered.

 

Thanks for your prompt reply, but it is a little ambiguous. The VAG group do two variants of the DSG gearbox which both have fully automated clutches, without a clutch pedal. The 6 speed is a wet clutch, but the 7 speed that is in my car is a dry clutch. However, it is not a manual clutch – there is no clutch pedal and it works on the same principle as the 7 speed wet clutch variety. So could you clarify whether the 7 speed fully automatic dry clutch gearbox in my car will be covered?

 

Thank you for your response. We would not know which type of gearbox is fitted to your vehicle until a claim is made. We are aware that one variant of the DSG box is fitted with a manual dry clutch even though it has no clutch pedal, the clutch operation is controlled by a control unit and actuator function as opposed to a manual pedal.

 

Provided the gearbox is a wet clutch pack, this would be insured as part of our cover

 

Thanks again for the prompt reply. It seems then that the issue is not whether it is manual or not as I think both the wet and dry work on the same principle of 2 sets of gears with an automated manual change between them (i.e. not torque converter or CVT). It seems that the issue must simply be wet or dry – presumably because the dry version is seen to be a higher risk.

 

Would the warranty cover any other aspect of failure in the 7 speed dry clutch DSG, apart from the plates themselves? Would it cover the electronic controller or the mechanism the performs the changes

 

Your policy insures for mechanical and electrical failure. We would cover both those parts you have mentioned below, plus the internal parts of the gearbox in the event of a claim

 

End dialogue (for now at least!)

 

I am not sure whether a lawyer would agree that the answers given above are a fair interpretation of their policy, but it seems that this is what would be faced by anyone trying to make a claim. Incidentally, I asked a local indepndent specialist how much it would cost to replace the clutch packs if they did fail again - the answer is £1200.

 

I am not sure what to do now. I will compare the CSMA policy with the WD policy before deciding whether to get either of them. If I wanted to get the Skoda warranty I would need to pay for a multi point inspection at £98 before they would take on the risk. The dealer suggests that loyalty to the dealer network (warranty, not just servicing!) would predispose Skoda UK to make a contribution if something went wrong, but I think that is a bit of an unknown.