Demystifying Motor Warranty

The first thing you should know is that a motor warranty is different from a service or maintenance plan. When you purchase a vehicle from a dealer or a manufacturer, it comes with a warranty that is valid for a specific period of time or until the car has reached a certain mileage on its odometer. Under this warranty, any major mechanical and/or electronic failures must be repaired at no cost to you by the vehicle’s manufacturer. 

A service or maintenance plan, on the other hand, is a service contract that you enter into with the dealer from whom you purchase your vehicle in respect of the vehicle’s general maintenance – the oil changes, filter changes and cambelt services that need to be done at specific intervals in order for the manufacturer’s warranty to remain valid. 

An extended motor warranty is an add-on product that you purchase with your vehicle, which does exactly what its name states: It extends the validity of your vehicle’s warranty. That is, it ensures that your vehicle will still be considered to be “under warranty” for a specified length of time or up to a certain mileage, beyond that of the original manufacturer’s warranty.

It is important to bear in mind that whether yours is the original manufacturer’s warranty or an extended warranty, the general maintenance of the vehicle must remain up to date in order for the warranty to be valid. 

It should also be noted that not all warranties are created equal – there are varying levels of cover between different types of warranty. Some, for example, will only cover certain specific mechanical parts while other, premium-level warranties cover all major mechanical and electronic faults. These more comprehensive warranties will, of course, cost more but give you better cover, usually for a longer period.

Generally speaking, a motor warranty is a good idea, especially if you’re buying a used vehicle as it’ll safeguard you against major issues that could arise shortly after you make the purchase. It also tends to cost less than major repairs do, and can save you a significant amount of money.