Life is expensive – the last thing you want is your car causing you big bills when you least expect it.
Even the most reliable cars aren’t completely faultless. Consider the hundreds of moving parts in a car’s engine and all the on-board technology, and it’s a marvel that cars are so reliable in the first place. So things can go wrong – and you can guarantee that it’ll never be at a convenient time.
While an extended warranty won’t magically stop your car breaking down, it can protect you from the headache of paying for repairs and big bills you'd face. For many, the sheer peace of mind a warranty brings is worth its weight in gold.
What is a car warranty?
A car warranty is a confirmation of cover against faults caused by mechanical defects. It lasts for a set period of time and, if your car develops a fault in this time, the warranty will cover the cost of repairing or replacing certain parts, plus a proportion of labour costs and expenses.
Carmakers and car dealers generally offer a period of warranty to show confidence in the reliability of their product. A warranty means you're protected from faults that happen after you’ve bought the car and driven away – a main difference between buying from a trade seller or a private seller.
What does a car warranty cover?
Car warranties cover the major engine, gearbox, braking, electronics and suspension components in the event of premature failure.
Some parts are considered ‘wear and tear’ items or ‘consumable’. This means that they are deemed to be part of the car’s normal running costs and aren’t covered under warranty. Consumable parts include tyres, brake pads, 12V batteries and clutch plates.
Find out what's included in our extended warranty if you take out cover with your Motorpoint used car.
Benefits of an extended car warranty
- Peace of mind
- Save money on repair bills
- Repairs are carried out by experts
- Generous limit for claims and quantity
- Covers you once the manufacturer’s warranty has run out
- Can be bought for one year or several years
- Some warranties include extra perks such as breakdown cover, hire car contribution and MOT test guarantees
Are extended car warranties worth it?
That’s up to you to decide, but the peace of mind it offers is worth the cost alone for many buyers. Unless you can predict when your car will break down, an extended warranty will minimise disruption and cost. Considering an extended warranty costs around £20 a month, it’s a mere fraction of some monthly finance costs but can save you an awful lot of hassle and expense in the long run.
Should I buy an extended warranty on a used car?
One of the most appealing aspects of a new car, besides its latest number plate, is that it comes with several years of warranty. You’d expect that the newer a car is, the more reliable it is, so it makes even more sense to take out an extended warranty on a used car with some miles under its wheels.
Buying an extended warranty for your used car gives you the same level of cover without you having to spend new car prices. And, as we’ve just highlighted, the monthly cost of an extended warranty is probably less than your phone bill.
