How important is a new car warranty to you?

The Tyre Dude

Am in the market for a new car, have looked at VW, Ford, Renault, Kia and Hyundai. As nice as some of VW's offerings are they don't seem to be much different in terms of quality that what I've seen at Kia and Hyundai. But the real deal breaker for me is the warranty, 2 years from VW is a joke these days, especially when their cars are rated no better than average for reliability. You really have to crave that badge. The Kia ceed looks like a super car and drives really well, comparable to a Golf 1.6D drove, and there you get 7 years which is very tempting. 5 years from Renault and Hyundai is impressive too, the i40 is a very tempting package even without the warranty.

So the question is, when buying a new car, just how important is the warranty to you?

mickdw

The 2 year warranty is crazy indeed. I bought new in 08 with a 2 year warranty and I wont be doing it again. VW, audi, mercedes will soon have to offer improved warranty or people will just walk away. I have a pain in the ass fighting with audi for goodwill stuff. Not a satisfactory situation at all

Chuck Stone

I'd never buy a new car but if someone I knew was buying a newish car I'd suggest they'd go for something like a Hyundai or Kia because it would still be in warranty but would have taken the initial depreciation hit.

Del2005

All a warranty does is make it easier to get your consumer rights. The catch is that most people don't realise, or know but don't want the hassle, that you can keep the warranty without using the dealer network for service work.

The sooner people start using their consumer rights to get cars fixed the better instead of bending over backwards to keep the car companies happy. You spend thousands on a new car and get worst treatment than buying socks in Dunnes if something goes wrong with the car.

Idbatterim

But the real deal breaker for me is the warranty, 2 years from VW is a joke these days, especially when their cars are rated no better than average for reliability. You really have to crave that badge.

Op are you implying VW is an aspirational badge?

L-M

Del2005 wrote: »

All a warranty does is make it easier to get your consumer rights. The catch is that most people don't realise, or know but don't want the hassle, that you can keep the warranty without using the dealer network for service work.

The sooner people start using their consumer rights to get cars fixed the better instead of bending over backwards to keep the car companies happy. You spend thousands on a new car and get worst treatment than buying socks in Dunnes if something goes wrong with the car.

As far as i'm aware as long as the correct specification oils etc. are used, they have to honour the warranty.

Zubeneschamali

Idbatterim wrote: »

Op are you implying VW is an aspirational badge?

Some people think Toyota is an aspirational badge: "The Best Built Cars in the World".

colm_mcm

Del2005 wrote: »

All a warranty does is make it easier to get your consumer rights. The catch is that most people don't realise, or know but don't want the hassle, that you can keep the warranty without using the dealer network for service work.

The point is that if you buy a VW, if something goes wrong after 3 years, you're on your own.

The extended warranties on the likes of Renault and Kia are different to the usual warranty, and carry conditions for the extra few years. As long as you know that going into that then there's no problem.

dev100

For these 5 yr warranties do you have to bring it back to the main dealer to get it serviced by their term and conditions?

colm_mcm

i know with the Kia one you have to get an annual inspection done to get the last (i think) 3 years of the warrany.
Not sure how the Hyundai 5 year warranty works, think it's a 3+2 arrangement.

With these extended warranties, the choice is yours whether you want to abide by the conditions or not and have the extended years or not.

vectra

Del2005 wrote: »

All a warranty does is make it easier to get your consumer rights. The catch is that most people don't realise, or know but don't want the hassle, that you can keep the warranty without using the dealer network for service work.

The sooner people start using their consumer rights to get cars fixed the better instead of bending over backwards to keep the car companies happy. You spend thousands on a new car and get worst treatment than buying socks in Dunnes if something goes wrong with the car.

Limerick man wrote: »

As far as i'm aware as long as the correct specification oils etc. are used, they have to honour the warranty.

Getting your car serviced by and indie is fine while you have a warranty. Once the warranty is out you are screwed if something happens just outside warrant wheras if you do get your car serviced at a main dealer then you have a good chance of getting a manufacturers "Good will Gesture"

BTW OP.
Skoda was 2 year warranty as well, This is changing ( could be changed as I type) to 3 years.

mondeo

If I were in the market for a cheap new car a Kia would be top of my list. The 7 year warranty sounds rather appealing. Warranty is important to me.

pburns

At the very least it shows faith in the product. The fact that a 'quality' marque like Audi gets away with offering a measly two-year warranty whilst value brands can offer at least five is pretty baffling, especially when the Germans are so anal about closing down dealerships for a more limited number of 'centres of excellence'. I'd rather they spent the money on warranties than marketiing and plate-glass palaces.

crosstownk

It all depends on how long I intend to keep the car.

A 5 or 7 year warranty is of no benefit if I'm going to change again after two years.

Twiki

crosstownk wrote: »

A 5 or 7 year warranty is of no benefit if I'm going to change again after two years.

It has a benefit in improving the resale prospects of the car if it has 3-5 years warranty remaining.

Zubeneschamali

pburns wrote: »

The fact that a 'quality' marque like Audi gets away with offering a measly two-year warranty whilst value brands can offer at least five is pretty baffling

If people think you make a quality car, you don't need to offer a long warranty.

If people think you make a crappy car like a 90s Hyundai, then you need to offer a warranty to convince them you've changed and it's safe to buy.

Over time, as the Korean cars get better, other marques will start to feel it. Ford and Renault have started offering deals on longer warrantys, and eventually even the "reliable" Germans will have to follow suit.

crosstownk

Twiki wrote: »

It has a benefit in improving the resale prospects of the car if it has 3-5 years warranty remaining.

To some people, yes. It wouldn't be the decider for me.

Saab Ed

If VW ever offers 5 year warranties, they'll end up bust

crosstownk

Saab Ed wrote: »

If VW ever offers 5 year warranties, they'll end up bust

That's why they don't :pac:

bucketybuck

dev100 wrote: »

For these 5 yr warranties do you have to bring it back to the main dealer to get it serviced by their term and conditions?

No warranty is dependent on dealer service history. However, the garage you do use must be a registered company, and you must be able to prove the parts reach various quality standards.

On another note, that seven year warranty sounds just super doesn't it? Except I'll bet it isn't a bumper to bumper warranty, and whats actually covered in year seven is cab corrosion or something, nothing mechanical at all. Not all warranties are the same, you get what you pay for so when buying a new car, speak up and get the salesman to provide you with a list of warranty exclusions. You might just get your eyes opened.

Del2005

Limerick man wrote: »

As far as i'm aware as long as the correct specification oils etc. are used, they have to honour the warranty.

colm_mcm wrote: »

The point is that if you buy a VW, if something goes wrong after 3 years, you're on your own.

The extended warranties on the likes of Renault and Kia are different to the usual warranty, and carry conditions for the extra few years. As long as you know that going into that then there's no problem.

vectra wrote: »

Getting your car serviced by and indie is fine while you have a warranty. Once the warranty is out you are screwed if something happens just outside warrant wheras if you do get your car serviced at a main dealer then you have a good chance of getting a manufacturers "Good will Gesture"

BTW OP.
Skoda was 2 year warranty as well, This is changing ( could be changed as I type) to 3 years.

Your all coming from the wrong end. If you read any warranty paper work it'll have "this is in addition to your consumer rights" printed somewhere and if it doesn't then it's illegal. Consumer law is very strong and if you spend €xx,000 on a new car Irish law says it should last a reasonable time and 2 years isn't reasonable. You will have to do some work but going legal will get your car fixed. In other countries extended warranties may be of value but here your just paying for something your entitled to.

Out of the thousands of new cars sold every year how many new owners are so terrified of loosing their warranty that they religiously get the car serviced at the garage they bought it off, that's if they even know that they don't have to use a main dealer, or in the hope that if something goes wrong outside of warranty they'll get some "good will". That's a nice tidy profit for the dealers if it's a 5/7 year warranty*.

The "good will" work garages and importers do is because they know you have more rights then they are giving you with the warranty. Companies are out to make a profit so it's cheaper for them to offer "good will" work than have a p!ssed of customer bringing them to court, possibly creating a precedent, and people finding out that you don't have to bend over backwards to keep a car importer/garage happy.

All 2/3/5/7 year warranty means is that it'll be relatively easy to get your car repaired. Consumer law means you'll get your car repaired but will have to do a bit of work, if more people went legal then it would eventually mean less hassle for all car buyers.

Just look at the Consurmer Issues forum, there are people getting repairs for less expensive items than cars after they go legal. Why do people assume that cars are somehow different to an Xbox or a pair of shoes? Consumer law is there for people to use, but car dealers have somehow blinded people to their rights.


*Even if service is included with the new car your still paying for it in the price you pay as there's no such thing as a free lunch.

Joey the lips

I dont know if all manufacturers do it but ford were offering a 3 year warrenty which was transferable with the car.

As i buy my car as part of the disabled car scheme it ment after 2 years i could still sell my car with 1 years warrently...

Good selling point...

I went with a toyota corrolla.

eth0

By the time I got it there would be no warranty left on it anyway unless they start offering 15 and 20 year warranties

StudentDad

The way I see it, if a manufacturer is proud of their vehicles they shouldn't have any difficulty offering a minimum 5 year warranty. As a consumer you're paying out quite a pile of cash on a brand new car - the least you can expect is not to have to drag the seller off to court if something goes bang in the first few years of ownership. Assuming you are driving reasonably and not rallying etc etc.

Although, I'm sure they do make quite a few quid on spare parts.

SD

Tea 1000

Del2005 wrote: »

Why do people assume that cars are somehow different to an Xbox or a pair of shoes?

People don't assume a car is different to an Xbox or pair of shoes. That's why people don't think they're entitled to anything after the warranty runs out. If you went back into a shoe shop after wearing a pair of shoes for 10 months, you'd be shown the door if you expected a repair or replacement. An Xbox, like most other electronic goods, has a year warranty. Why do you think people assume there is better warranties with these things than with cars?

bucketybuck

Del2005 wrote: »

Your all coming from the wrong end. If you read any warranty paper work it'll have "this is in addition to your consumer rights" printed somewhere and if it doesn't then it's illegal. Consumer law is very strong and if you spend €xx,000 on a new car Irish law says it should last a reasonable time and 2 years isn't reasonable. You will have to do some work but going legal will get your car fixed. In other countries extended warranties may be of value but here your just paying for something your entitled to.

We have done this before, but people spouting "consumer rights" need to be more careful with these blanket declerations that you will get your car fixed if you just go legal, as if just going to court is a guaranteed win.

For the bolded part above, the fact is that what is reasonable is a very subjective thing, and who is more able to judge what is reasonable? The car owner who doesn't want to pay, or the manufacturer who spends millions ensuring cars meet EU quality standards?

Is it reasonable for a door trim panel to be covered in year 3? What about a clutch? What about a balljoint? What about an intercooler hose?

You can't just proclaim that consumer law protects car owners, it doesn't work like that.

Judge - "So why do you feel the dealer should pay for this?"
Car owner - "Because of the consumer rights act".
Judge - "Yes, but why, what with regards to the act confers liability to the dealer?"
Car owner - "But, but, the consumer rights act"
Judge - "Yes, we are aware of the act, what specific reason is there that the dealer should have to pay for this repair"
Car owner - "Because the consumer law says so, doesn't it?"
Judge - "Get out".

the culture of deference

The Tyre Dude wrote: »

So the question is, when buying a new car, just how important is the warranty to you?

It was an extra bonus for me. I have a grand megane with the 5 year unlimited mileage warranty. I looked at 7 or 8 other manufacturers when I was buying. Nobody could match Renault.

StudentDad wrote: »

The way I see it, if a manufacturer is proud of their vehicles they shouldn't have any difficulty offering a minimum 5 year warranty.
SD

I think the future of car sales will include a service package that runs alongside the warranty length. Real no hassle motoring.

My car was up for it's 1st service recently. €144 for oil, sump washer and filter. Parts were 50 euro then €70 + labour (+vat) per part of an hour is a joke nowadays for a half hour job.

pajo1981

VW don't offer long warranties because they don't have to -their cars sell regardless.

It's just the way it is.

reilig

the culture of deference wrote: »

My car was up for it's 1st service recently. €144 for oil, sump washer and filter. Parts were 50 euro then €70 + labour (+vat) per part of an hour is a joke nowadays for a half hour job.

That's actually quite a cheap service in the relative run of things. A mate of mine had a diesel i30 serviced in April - Oil & Filter & air filter and it was €220. Air filter costs €12 and takes less than a minute to install. :rolleyes:

I think its an issue for people who are buying a small engined car as a mode of transport as apposed to buying a car for the pleasure of it. If you are a person deciding between a 1.4 Golf and a 1.4 Kia "something or other" maybe it matters. If you are buying a Golf R, not so much especially as there are not many if any rival cars offering big warranty and even if there were, people will go for the Golf.

galwaytt

Zubeneschamali wrote: »

If people think you make a quality car, you don't need to offer a long warranty.

If people think you make a crappy car like a 90s Hyundai, then you need to offer a warranty to convince them you've changed and it's safe to buy.

Over time, as the Korean cars get better, other marques will start to feel it. Ford and Renault have started offering deals on longer warrantys, and eventually even the "reliable" Germans will have to follow suit.

Yes, but in the US, German brands warranty are longer than even in.........Germany. Why ? 'Cos consumer's demanded it, and they needed to match the likes of Lexus, etc. The difference is, Lexus probably don't need it anyway, so it actually IS a freebie. The Germans get clobbered regularly.

galwaytt

Saab Ed wrote: »

If VW ever offers 5 year warranties, they'll end up bust

...and they'll end up like your username.........:D

btw....just got a 9-5........lovely old bus........

Zubeneschamali

A warranty will cost the manufacturer money, even Lexus or Toyota. If it was free, they'd offer it everywhere, why not?

Del2005

Tea 1000 wrote: »

Del2005 wrote: »

Why do people assume that cars are somehow different to an Xbox or a pair of shoes?

People don't assume a car is different to an Xbox or pair of shoes. That's why people don't think they're entitled to anything after the warranty runs out. If you went back into a shoe shop after wearing a pair of shoes for 10 months, you'd be shown the door if you expected a repair or replacement. An Xbox, like most other electronic goods, has a year warranty. Why do you think people assume there is better warranties with these things than with cars?

A 2 Euro pair from Dunnes no, a 40 Euro pair yes.
If a pair of shoes wore out in 10 months I'd be demanding my money back not warranty work and I'd get my money back eventually.

Plenty of people have got items repaired or replaced outside of warranty for free. Just because a manufacturer offers 1 year doesn't mean an item that costs several hundred Euro will last a year. It'll last longer and the retailer is the person you bought the product from not the manufacturer, so while the manufacturer may offer 1 year the retailer is bound by consumer law and that's much more relevant.

Del2005

bucketybuck wrote: »

Del2005 wrote: »

Your all coming from the wrong end. If you read any warranty paper work it'll have "this is in addition to your consumer rights" printed somewhere and if it doesn't then it's illegal. Consumer law is very strong and if you spend €xx,000 on a new car Irish law says it should last a reasonable time and 2 years isn't reasonable. You will have to do some work but going legal will get your car fixed. In other countries extended warranties may be of value but here your just paying for something your entitled to.

We have done this before, but people spouting "consumer rights" need to be more careful with these blanket declerations that you will get your car fixed if you just go legal, as if just going to court is a guaranteed win.

For the bolded part above, the fact is that what is reasonable is a very subjective thing, and who is more able to judge what is reasonable? The car owner who doesn't want to pay, or the manufacturer who spends millions ensuring cars meet EU quality standards?

Is it reasonable for a door trim panel to be covered in year 3? What about a clutch? What about a balljoint? What about an intercooler hose?

You can't just proclaim that consumer law protects car owners, it doesn't work like that.

Judge - "So why do you feel the dealer should pay for this?"
Car owner - "Because of the consumer rights act".
Judge - "Yes, but why, what with regards to the act confers liability to the dealer?"
Car owner - "But, but, the consumer rights act"
Judge - "Yes, we are aware of the act, what specific reason is there that the dealer should have to pay for this repair"
Car owner - "Because the consumer law ays so, doesn't it?"
Judge - "Get out".

Are any of the parts you listed covered by your beloved warranty?

Nowhere have I said all you need to do is say consumer law. You need to research any problems and get advice.
People have gone legal and got new cars or repair work done, it's not easy or quick but you will eventually get sorted.

Are car buyers not consumers? Why does the law apply only to low cost items?

galwaytt

Zubeneschamali wrote: »

A warranty will cost the manufacturer money, even Lexus or Toyota. If it was free, they'd offer it everywhere, why not?

Because they don't have to, that's why. In the US, they have an actual Lemon Law to deal with.

Besides, it's not that simple.

You offer a warranty to a)to demonstrate the quality, and your faith in, your product, b) to attract customers, c) to protect the residual value of the product ('adding value').

a) is included in the design cost of the product from Day 1, it is not an added cost. Or, should be.........
b) this is a marketing tool
c) this is a marketing tool, to an extent, as keeping residuals up is good for the Brand. Makes people happier to buy: the day you buy is the day you sell, and all that........

Faced with buying a 5-yr old used car, and ALL other things being equal, one with a 2 yr factory warranty left to run, and one with none, which would you buy ?

Zubeneschamali

galwaytt wrote: »

Because they don't have to, that's why.

But if it was free, everyone would offer it, it's a free selling point.

The more quality you build in, the less often things fail. The less often things fail, the more warranty you can offer for the money.

But it can never be free for the manufacturer.

firedub

Just a thing about warranties. I bought a new kia ceed sw about a month ago and I have an issue with the handsfree bluetooth. The garage have referred it back to kia ireland under the 7 year warranty. Kia ireland seem to be dragging their heels on the issue. Will keep you out there informed how I get on

_Kaiser_

Is it still the case that VW UK offer a 3 year warranty vs VW Ireland's 2 years. That's ridiculous IMO

That said, I'd probably be willing to pay for an extended warranty that would cover anything major, but it would depend on the amount of driving you do. I remember looking into it and there was a crowd here that do that, but there was a mileage limit as far as I recall.

the culture of deference

reilig wrote: »

That's actually quite a cheap service in the relative run of things. A mate of mine had a diesel i30 serviced in April - Oil & Filter & air filter and it was €220. Air filter costs €12 and takes less than a minute to install. :rolleyes:

How much labour are they charging. It takes half hour to do oil and filter and a (free) 25 point check.

How do garages get away with charging 1 or 2 hours labour .

Kaiser2000 wrote: »

Is it still the case that VW UK offer a 3 year warranty vs VW Ireland's 2 years. That's ridiculous IMO

Many car dealers here will try to tell you that your imported car does not have a longer warranty.

joolsveer

The last new car I bought was a Renault Megane in 2003. It had a one year warranty and until it was three years old I kept having trouble with it. The dealer was not up to scratch at solving problems. It cured me of buying new cars - or Renaults.

Eric Cartman

to be fair Id rather buy say a toyota with 2 or 3 years warranty knowing that when that runs out the car would still be grand and a low risk of issues , rather than a renault with 5 years knowing that I have to get rid of the car after 4 years 364 days or else be lumped with repair bills.

Jonny303

the culture of deference wrote: »

How much labour are they charging. It takes half hour to do oil and filter and a (free) 25 point check.

How do garages get away with charging 1 or 2 hours labour .



Many car dealers here will try to tell you that your imported car does not have a longer warranty.

The third year warranty on VW is covered by VW UK and not by VW Germany. That is to say that you cannot go into a garage here and get it done under warranty. You need to pay for it, and then go back to VW UK and try get compensated

Sonnenblumen

"Why buy a car which looks like a Golf, when you can buy a Golf?":cool:

mickdw

Jonny303 wrote: »

The third year warranty on VW is covered by VW UK and not by VW Germany. That is to say that you cannot go into a garage here and get it done under warranty. You need to pay for it, and then go back to VW UK and try get compensated

Or just drive to the north for a no bull**** free repair with first class service.