All new cars come with a factory warranty to cover car faults, usually lasting for between three and five years. After it ends, you’re potentially vulnerable to an expensive repair if parts fail suddenly. Many people buy extended car warranties to cover them for longer.
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If the factory warranty on your car has ended or you have bought a used car which is not covered by a warranty, a used car warranty policy is helpful for additional peace of mind while driving. Learn the difference between a manufacturer warranty and an extended warranty and whether it’s worth buying an extended warranty from your car’s manufacturer.
Most warranty agreements are merely that – a promise that they will cover the cost of your vehicle repair. An insured warranty is different – it is a financial product regulated by the FCA. It is an insurance policy adhering to the Consumer Rights Act and offers legal recourse via the Financial Ombudsman Service if you don’t get the cover you paid for.
To summarise, most warranties are not insurance products; they are maintenance guarantees. ALA offers a fully insured and FCA-protected service.
Read more about insured warranties
The two main types of car warranty you’ll encounter in the UK, are factory or manufacturer warranties (included as standard for new cars) and extended warranties for when your original warranty expires. In any case, a car warranty provides additional protection covering the repair cost of unexpected mechanical or electrical vehicle faults, so you aren’t faced with a considerable bill to pay out of pocket.
Your vehicle manufacturer’s warranty covers the initial ownership period of a new car. It usually lasts three to five years, but you’re vulnerable to an expensive repair – after the standard warranty expires – if components suddenly fail.
You can buy an extended warranty directly from your car maker or a third-party provider. It covers component failures after the initial car warranty coverage ends. By opting for an independent warranty provider, you can find the best-value coverage and customisable plans to suit your needs and budget. Explore Extended warranty quotes by vehicle manufacturer.
| Factory warranty | Extended warranty |
| Covers initial 3-5 years of new car ownership (there are some exceptions, such as Kia Warranty) | Covers vehicles for 1-3 years after the initial warranty expires |
| Included as standard | Available to buy from manufacturers or third-party providers |
| Non-renewable | Renewable coverage (subject to eligibility) |
| Comprehensive coverage | Flexible coverage options available |
Use our quick quote calculator for an accurate price for your vehicle’s make and model. However, you can split the cost with 0% APR finance and benefit from huge multi-year policies. When compared to manufacturer-backed extended warranties, they offer comprehensive coverage at a much more affordable price.
You can opt for a maintenance product which is even cheaper, but you don’t have the protection if the company decides not to cover your repairs. Also, they can charge hidden fees like admin costs and excess for each claim. It’s also important to check coverage limits and whether these are realistic for the labour rates in your area and your car’s current market value.
Read about what extended warranty covers here
You’re much more likely to break down than get into a car accident. However, comprehensive car insurance is widely used and accepted. Meanwhile, the choice to buy extended warranty continues to divide opinions. After your standard manufacturer’s warranty coverage expires, you could face expensive repairs if something goes wrong with your vehicle. ALA offers fully insured warranty policies that offers more protection than a maintenance promise or service contract.
You can find third-party extended warranties at various price points, with different levels of cover. This way, you pay according to your budget and vehicle details.
ALA’s Platinum coverage is a great-value vehicle warranty with one of the most generous age and mileage limits and with the most comprehensive cover. Silver coverage covers key motor components is some of the most affordable. Read about whether extended warranty is worth the money.
| Pros | Cons | |
| Manufacturer Extended Warranty |
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| Third-Party Warranty |
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Extended warranties are available to buy from a manufacturer or a third-party provider but vehicle manufacturer warranties tend to be much more expensive
Policies from your manufacturer can be simpler to take out because you will already have your vehicle and personal details registered with them. However, these are often more expensive and less flexible than third-party warranties, and you’re limited to a policy with only your car’s manufacturer. Also, you may not be able to renew your policy after it ends.
On the other hand, third-party policies aren’t exclusive to a single manufacturer so they can offer competitive prices and can be tailored to your budget. Moreover, you can choose different levels of cover.
Generally, a car warranty covers unforeseen mechanical or electrical vehicle failures. Standard policies cover the engine, transmission and drive train, while a more comprehensive package can cover the whole vehicle, subject to policy exclusions.
ALA provides three levels of warranty cover. Silver covers key areas with a 150,000 mile limit for cars less than 16 years old. Gold is the second-most comprehensive plan, protecting a wide range of your items. It covers vehicles with less than 100,000 miles or 12 years. Platinum coverage has the most comprehensive cover, available for cars less than 80,000 miles or 8 years. There is no time limit once your policy starts (except for wear and tear coverage on Platinum)
Experience worry-free driving with ALA Warranty:
● Zero excess
● No pre-inspection
● European cover
● Diagnostics coverage
● Unlimited mileage after service contract initiation (exception of wear and tear cover)
● Wear and tear cover (Platinum)
Our customers trust us to have their back if the unexpected happens. ALA Insurance is a trusted brand, rated 4.9 stars on Trustpilot. We’re the number one insurance company and over 20,000 people rated us 5 stars.
You don’t need two warranty policies in place at the same time. However, in order to protect against unforeseen faults such as electrical failure of faults, you should have an extended warranty policy start as soon as your manufacturer’s warranty ends.
There coud be manufacturer-specific perks such as paintwork cover. However, with the considerable savings made by choosing a third-party warranty, you can purchase a variety of products, such as Scratch & Dent Insurance?
No, there is no waiting period; your cover can start immediately after purchase. However, it is not designed to cover existing faults.
Manufacturer-backed warranties are specific maintenance contracts offered by the manufacturer, typically for new cars. A dealer-backed warranty agreement can be purchased from a used car dealers or a third-party new car retailer, but it may offer coverage and conditions of the policy that are different from those of the manufacturer’s warranty. Both manufacturer and dealership warranties are typically more expensive than they need to be.
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