Vehicle Warranty: What You Need to Know

A vehicle warranty is a promise made by the manufacturer or dealer to repair or replace any defects that arise within a specific period of time after purchase. Warranties are intended to provide peace of mind to car owners, knowing that they are covered in the event of unexpected repairs. However, not all warranties are created equal. In this article, we'll explore the different types of vehicle warranties, what they cover, and whether they are worth the investment.

• Types of Vehicle Warranty
• Is Car Warranty Worth It?
• What Does Car Warranty Cover?
• Does a Warranty Cover an MOT Failure?
• Does a Warranty Cover Car Servicing?
• What Can Void a Car Warranty?
• Difference Between Car Warranty and Service Plan
• How Much Does a Car Warranty Cost?
• Can I Get Warranty Repairs Completed at Any Garage?
• How Do I Claim on my Warranty for Vehicle Repairs?
• What Happens if a Warranty Company Does Not Accept my Claim?
• Warranty Claims at Chippenham Motor Company.

At Chippenham Motor Company, we generally deal with two main types of warranties Manufacturer’s Warranty and Extended Warranty:

Manufacturer’s Warranties – This type of warranty is specifically provided by the vehicle manufacturer for set amount of time from when the car is brand new. The majority of Manufacturer’s warranties last for an average of 3 years, with the exception of Kia who offer a 7 year warranty. A manufacturer’s warranty doesn’t cover wear and tear, but will cover the cost of labour and parts on mechanical or electrical faults

Extended Warranties - This type of warranty extends the coverage of the original warranty, providing additional protection for a longer period of time. Extended warranties can be purchased from the manufacturer or a third-party provider. We provide a 3 month extended warranty with all of our used cars, and often recommend an extended warranty to give you peace of mind throughout you vehicle ownership.

Whether a car warranty is worth it depends on several factors, including the age of the vehicle, the cost of repairs, and the reliability of the vehicle. If you have a new car with a good reputation for reliability, you may not need an extended warranty. On the other hand, if you have an older car or a car that is known for expensive repairs, an extended warranty may be a smart investment.

A car warranty typically covers defects in materials and workmanship that arise during the warranty period. This includes repairs or replacements of parts that fail due to normal wear and tear. However, warranties usually don't cover damage caused by accidents, misuse, or neglect. It's important to read the fine print of your warranty to understand what is and isn't covered.

A warranty typically does not cover an MOT failure. An MOT is a government-mandated inspection to ensure that a vehicle is safe and roadworthy. It is not a warranty issue, but rather a legal requirement.

A standard warranty does not usually cover routine maintenance, such as car servicing, oil changes, tyre rotations, or brake pads. However, some warranties may require that you follow the manufacturer's recommended maintenance schedule to keep the warranty valid.

Several things can void a car warranty, including:

• Failure to maintain the vehicle according to the manufacturer's recommended schedule
• Modifications or aftermarket parts that are not approved by the manufacturer
• Accidents or damage caused by negligence or misuse
• Failure to report a problem or have it repaired in a timely manner

A car warranty covers repairs to defective parts, while a service plan covers routine maintenance such as oil changes and vehicle servicing. A service plan is not a warranty, but rather a prepaid plan that covers routine maintenance for a set period of time.

A manufacturer’s warranty is usually provided with the car, so there are no additional costs. An extended warranty can vary based on several factor including the type of warranty, the age and mileage of the vehicle, and the provider.

If you would like a quote for an extended warranty, please contact us today.

For manufacturer’s warranty, you will need to speak directly to an authorised repair and service centre or main dealer for your vehicle’s brand.

Extended or third party warranties can be dealt with by many different garages. If you have warranty work that needs to be completed on your car, it is worth speaking directly with your warranty company to confirm where you can take your car to be repaired, as they may have a list of preferred garages.

If your car has a fault, and you wish to claim on your warranty, you must get it seen to as soon as possible. If you continue to drive with the fault, or delay the repair, this could cause further damage that may not be covered or could void the claim.

Warranty providers will usually need confirmation of the fault provided by a reputable dealer or car garage. Speak to your warranty provider to notify them of the vehicle fault and determine who can provide this information.

Once the fault has been diagnosed and confirmed, the warranty company will authorise the repair centre to complete the work and submit the claim paperwork. If the warranty company does not accept the repair under the terms of your warranty, you may need to foot the bill yourself. It is worth having as much evidence to hand as possible to support your claim.

Most warranty policies will pay the garage directly, which means you don’t need to part with any money. On some occasions, the warranty provider may require you to pay partial or all of the cost and then they will return the money to you. They should make this clear ahead of time so make sure you understand their process.

If a warranty provider does not accept your claim then you have two options. You can either;

• Fund the cost of the repair yourself, or,
• Appeal the decision

If you choose to appeal the decision, you will need to ensure you are fully aware of your policy’s terms and conditions. You will need evidence that the fault lies within the scope of the policy’s terms and conditions and this will need to be to presented to the warranty company for their consideration. This could include vehicle history, diagnostic reports from reputable garages, third party condition reports etc.

The final decision on whether warranty claims are accepted lies solely with the warranty company themselves.

We can assist with Kia, SEAT, Ford, Volvo, Citroen and Peugeot manufacturer’s warranties, as we are authorised service and repair centres for those brands across our two Wiltshire dealerships.

We can also work with many leading third-party warranty providers and are happy to liaise with them on your behalf.

In order to assist with your warranty claim, we will first need to assess your car at one of our Chippenham based dealerships. You will be required to book an appointment so we can assess and fully diagnose the vehicle. At this point we can make a recommendation based on whether the fault is likely to be accepted by your warranty policy.

If you have a fault with your vehicle, please contact us to book in for a fault diagnosis so we can assist you.

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