Car warranties: The pros and cons
Car warranties, both new and extended, often go somewhat unfairly unnoticed by motorists.
Once the manufacturer's warranty expires, many car owners simply accept that their vehicle is no longer protected and hope for the best.
Leaving things to chance, however, can cost thousands of pounds and years of grief spent trying to keep an already costly car on the road.
But by purchasing a car warranty, drivers can cover themselves for most eventualities and save money as well as hassle.
If you're not sure whether buying an extended car warranty is a good idea or not, read our list of pros and cons to help you make up your mind.
Pros:
Perhaps the biggest advantage of being covered by a car warranty is that it will give you peace of mind. Knowing that your car is covered for all repairs is one less ball of worries, especially if your vehicle has had previous owners and you do not have a full service history.
By covering the cost of future repairs and all but eliminating the possibility of surprise costs, car warranties protect your pocket and make it easier to manage your finances.
The car warranty market is a competitive one so there are plenty of providers offering a range of deals that suit you and your needs.
Get a car warranty quote with Warranty Direct now
Cons:
Car warranties are a form of non-essential insurance, which means that they are always a bit of a gamble. You may end up paying more for a warranty than you would have spent on repairs.
Some warranties do not cover every vehicle fault, so you could end up spending extra for certain repairs, such as those caused by wear and tear.
Fail to shop around and you could end up with a terrible warranty that costs more than the car is worth with repairs in mind, wasting you £100s.
Where to get the best extended warranty deal?
If you're looking to buy a warranty for your car it is generally recommended to shop around and not simply stick with or extend the manufacturer's deal.
Shopping around and comparing deals from several car warranty providers can ensure that not only will you pay less, but also get better value for money.
One of the most popular warranty providers is Warranty Direct. Their deals allow claimants to use any VAT registered garage (as opposed to a more expensive franchised dealer) and there is no limit on claims.
According to Warranty Direct, the average repair cost for a car between four and nine years old is £273.50 a year. So their extended warranty quote of £154.56 for a five-year old Ford Focus with 50k on the clock is a very attractive deal.
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