Car Warranty

Soldato
Joined
1 May 2003
Posts
11,224
I have bought a Ford Fiesta, but only comes with a 30 day warrenty. It does have 12 months MOT as well. But I was thinking about a warranty just in case some thing goes wrong I am at least covered. I have found a place online called Warranty Direct. They have quoted me £245 for the year, and I can use a main garage (ie: Ford, and there is no limit on labour charge)

This is what is covered:

The items under the following list are covered. Any item not specifically mentioned is not covered.

ENGINE
Cylinder head, internal bushings, oil pump, crankshaft and bearings, appet gear, valves & guides (excluding burnt or pitted valves), pistons & rings, cylinder bores/liners, con rods, distributor drive, starter ring gear, flywheel, autodrive plate, camshaft drive belts, camshaft & cam followers, cylinder head gasket, cylinder block, crankshaft pulley, turbo/intercooler units, rear main seal, rocker assembly, push rods, timing gears, timing belts & chains.
CLUTCH
The master and slave cylinder, clutch cable and pedal assembly.
TRANSMISSION (Manual, Automatic and Overdrive)
Manual Transmission: gears, synchromesh hubs & rings, selectors, shafts, bearings, drive chains plus gearlever and bushes.
Automatic Transmission: torque converters, brake bands, valve block, governor (manual & electric) oil pump and seals, drive chains, gears, input shaft oil seal, clutches, servos and modulator valve, bearings plus gearlever and bushes.
Overdrive: Gears, shafts and bearings.
FRONT WHEEL DRIVE UNIT
Crown wheel and pinion, differential unit, bushes and bearings, plus external drive shafts, couplings, C.V. joints and rubber boots, hubs, drive flange and universal joints.
REAR AXLE
Crown wheel and pinion, differential unit, shafts, bearings, C.V. joints and rubber boots, oil seal and rear hub, & drive flange.
FOUR WHEEL DRIVE SYSTEM
Front differential, inter-axle differential and lock, rear differential and lock, bearings and shafts, couplings, C.V. joints and rubber boots, hubs and drive flange.
PROPSHAFT
Propshaft, universal joints, centre bearings and oil seals.
SUSPENSION
Shock absorbers, upper and lower wishbones, bushes, springs, spheres, displacer units and wheel bearings, self levelling suspension unit, reservoir, pump and regulator valve.
BRAKING SYSTEM
Master cylinder; brake servo unit, diesel vacuum pump, callipers, wheel cylinders, pressure regulator, ABS pump and control unit. ABS pressure reducing and proportioning valves, handbrake control cables and linkages, brake pedal assembly, self-adjusting mechanisms, abs sensors.
COOLING SYSTEM
Radiator, thermostat, water pump, heater matrix, engine oil cooler, viscous fan, thermostat housing, temperature gauge, electronic control units and control linkages.
STEERING
Rack and pinion, steering box, idler box, column shaft, couplings, steering column tilt mechanism, power steering unit including pump, pressure pipes and reservoir.
FUEL SYSTEM
Mechanical and electrical fuel pumps, airflow meter, injectors (including injector cooling system), overrun cut-off valve, pressure regulator, sensors, throttle body, fuel gauge and tank sender unit. D.I.S. unit and controls, injection pump, injectors, glow plugs, electromagnetic cut-off.
ELECTRONIC IGNITION
Ignition ECU and Ignition Coils where fitted as standard by the manufacturer.
AIR CONDITIONING
Air conditioning compressor pump, condenser, electronic control unit, sensors, magnetic clutch and valves, evaporator and reservoir, fan control and sensors.
ELECTRICS
Internal failure of the starter motor, alternator, regulator, distributor, windscreen wiper motor and tailgate wiper motor, heating fan motor, cooling fan motor, horn, central locking solenoids and motors, electric window motors and sunroof motors, electric door mirror motors and aerial motors, front and rear windscreen washer motors, headlamp adjuster motors, cruise control unit, relays, rev counter, radiator cooling fan, indicator flasher unit.
CASINGS
Casings are covered provided they have been damaged as a result of failure of an insured part or by the consequential damage of an insured part failing.
OIL LEAKS
Notwithstanding exclusion 11 of the policy, this covers the cylinder head gasket and seal or gasket replacement that necessitates the removal of the engine, gearbox/drive unit and drive shafts or differential unit to carry out repairs.
BODYWORK
Tailgate suspension struts.

Does this sound like a good deal, or is the price a bit high?

TIA :)
 
big_white_dog84 said:
I think a lot of people have bad experiences with warranty companies trying to shaft them by putting the problem down to 'fair wear and tear'

This is from their section on wear & tear


Your policy will cover your car against failure of covered parts as a result of wear and tear as soon as you have been on cover with us for 90 days. Upon renewal, this significant benefit obviously applies from day one. If your vehicle has a mileage of less than 60,000 we will pay the full cost of parts and labour. For cars over 60,000, the table below shows the percentage we will pay depending on the vehicles mileage at the time of breakdown. We always pay the labour cost in full.

Mileage Parts Labour
Up to 60,000 miles 100% 100%
Up to 70,000 miles 90% 100%
Up to 80,000 miles 80% 100%
Up to 90,000 miles 70% 100%
Up to 100,000 miles 60% 100%
Over 100,000 miles 50% 100%

With alternative warranties disputes often arise in respect of wear and tear because they incorporate a "wear and tear" exclusion clause. At the time of any claim it is all too easy for the administrator to refuse your claim by saying; "of course it's broken, the car's done 70,000 miles and it's worn out." Our simple chart let's you know exactly where you stand from day one, avoiding dispute and annoyance on your part. This policy is unique to Warranty Direct and reflects our position as industry leaders for customer service and satisfaction.

A good example of a wear related failure is a failed water pump, which is as a result of worn bearings This type of claim will not be covered by a warranty policy that does not cover failure caused by wear.

As a guide you need to assume that 30% of the premium you pay goes towards this valuable benefit. When considering Warranty Direct make sure you apply this additional 30% to the premium quoted by any other company to give you an accurate comparison
 
I've heard good things about warranty direct, and when I spoke to them on the phone previously to get a quote they were very helpful and friendly. Phone them and say you got a quote online but thought it was a bit much and they'll most likely reduce it a bit.
 
Warranty Direct and Warrantywise

I'm with W/D.

It depends what level of cover they will offer you for the age/mileage of your car.

They have treated me fairly well with one claim fully covered, but they've stalled on a current claim.

Their policy says they will only cover 'failed parts'. e.g. a failed front suspension coil spring; if a manufacturer will only supply the springs in a pair and further more they recommend changing both [near & offside], W/D will only pay for the one [failed] side and not the pair; also they will not pay for any consequential damage to the tyre -- caused by the failed spring.

Warrantywise claim to cover this eventuality but the proof of the pudding is at claim time . . . I would like to believe them but ????

The manufacturers will usually cover such occurances whilst under their normal 3 year warranty.
 
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