Guest post by Andi Francis
Car repair and maintenance can be very costly regardless of whether your car has gotten into an accident or not. While you may be familiar with the used car warranties provided by American companies CARCHEX and CarShield, there are UK companies that offer similar products for the UK market. Your ability to cater to car repair costs out of pocket may have some limitations. However, it is crucial to note that auto repair can still get done without getting into debt.
How Does a Car Warranty Achieve Debt-Free Auto Repairs?
Using a car warranty can help you cover the cost of parts and repairs for your vehicle within an agreed period. A car warranty acts like a contract that limits your financial risk for a specified period.
Having the guarantee that you can repair your damaged car at any time within the stated period in the warranty can give you peace of mind. However, car warranties vary, and not all of them are worthwhile based on your situation. Car warranties work for a set mileage or period. Typically, it can cover your repair costs for the first three years of your car ownership or the first 36,000 miles of driving the vehicle.
According to the United Kingdom Department of Transportation, the average motorist can drive up to 10,000 miles in one year. Most people have already exhausted the standard 36,000 miles before finishing the three years. Some studies show that new cars on the roads are those that are not more than 12 years old from their manufactured date. Many people are driving vehicles that are past their original warranties.
Car warranties cover the vehicle together with its accessories in terms of roadworthiness, safety, and reliability. Your warranty does not cover your automobile’s regular wear and tear or cosmetic damages such as paintwork.
Types of Car Warranties
Car warranties are in two categories; statutory warranty and express warranty.
Brand new cars have a cover through a statutory warranty. Such a warranty is also known as a manufacturer’s warranty or an implied warranty. Most new cars get this warranty that covers 20,000 kilometres or 12 months. Some car brands can offer unlimited-kilometre coverage and a transferable warranty if you sell your vehicle. Car defects within the warranty period stated get fixed without you incurring any cost.
Express warranty, known as an extended or voluntary warranty, gets its specification at the time of vehicle purchase under your dealer’s selling agreement. This warranty has limitations with maximum liability and a firm termination date. The conditions stated in the express warranty guidelines can include fitting genuine car parts or getting your vehicle serviced by the dealer issuing you the warranty.
There are several conditions that you need to meet to choose who can service your vehicle. You must follow such guidelines without violating your warranty guidelines. Your car dealer who sold you your vehicle has the entitlement to have restrictions in terms of the independent dealer who services your car. Your car dealer can require that qualified independent dealers are the only ones who should conduct all repairs, the use of genuine parts for repair, and that the vehicle must get serviced according to the specifications laid down by its manufacturer.
Car servicing can be done by a party that has qualifications other than your authorised dealer. Consumers have a right against a dealer or manufacturer who uses ill-fitting parts onto their cars. Also, consumers have rights against their repairer regardless of whether they are factory qualified. These rights apply if your repair dealer does not offer satisfactory results after
implying that they can perform car servicing according to the manufacturer’s specifications.
Can You Get a Car Warranty for Your Used Car?
Brand new cars most certainly get to the market with a warranty from their manufacturer. Such guarantees last for a given limit of mileage or up to three years. Extending it can also be an option when the specified period or mileage runs out. If you buy a nearly new car, you might be fortunate enough to fall near the warranty’s specified timeline. However, knowing whether your used car or old car can still help you save your out-of-pocket repair expenditures is ideal.
Major car dealerships in the UK can offer warranty plans for used cars. Such warranties can cover your vehicle for one year. Unlike a new car’s warranty contract from its manufacturer, you must service your vehicle at the dealership that gives you the coverage. Also, you can get your repair services from a franchise of the same dealership.
What Determines the Cost of The Car Warranty?
Several factors determine the cost of your car warranty as follows:
- Value of your car – Repair costs can be high if you have an expensive vehicle.
- Age of your automobile – Old cars breaks down more than new ones.
- Miles – You are likely to activate your car’s warranty based on the use you have for your vehicle.
- Level of coverage – Some covers go beyond mechanics or engine.
Saving your money is possible when choosing coverage. Opting for a shorter or central kind of warranty can help keep the cost of purchasing low. However, the less coverage your car warranty offers, the more likely you’ll end up using out-of-pocket money to cater for expensive repairs.
Can Your Car Warranty Claim Get Rejected?
Keeping your car warranty intact has several requirements. Some demand that you take your car to proficient mechanics for maintenance. The majority are transferable but have a specified degree of proceedings to allow for successful transfer from one warranty owner to the next. It is crucial to consider the warranty you have and its specifications before modifying your vehicle.
Maintaining a valid car warranty requires you to have a level of responsibility. For instance, you cannot claim your car warranty if you:
- Do not service your car at the intervals indicated in the warranty agreement.
- Still use your car even after a warning light appears on its dashboard.
- Modify your vehicle during repairs with manufacturer disapproved or non-standard parts.
- Drive your car despite having an electrical or mechanical fault.
- Use the wrong fluids or fuel to fill up your vehicle.
- Do not follow your warranty agreement to the letter.
Conclusion
As you work towards achieving debt-free auto repairs in the UK through warranties, you should also consider sharpening your negotiation skills. You can negotiate with the garage or repair professionals and work towards achieving debt-free repairs. The professionals can also offer helpful tips on strategies to save money on auto repairs.
