First-time car buyer? This is a hugely exciting time in your life and everybody remembers their first vehicle very well as it provided so much freedom and independence. The car buying process can be a difficult and stressful one and particularly with so much variation and a range of factors to consider. One aspect is car warranties which can be confusing for new drivers – here is all you need to know.
What is a warranty?
A warranty is a type of cover which will protect you if your automobile has any mechanical or electrical faults. This could include the costs involved in recovery, replacement parts and labour. A warranty is optional but it is a smart type of insurance to have because a vehicle can break down at any moment in its lifetime and it can be expensive to cover the various costs involved yourself.
Manufacturer warranty
Every brand new car will be covered by a manufacturer warranty where the manufacturer will pay for the cost of any repairs. Typically, these warranties will last for the first three years of 60,000 miles (whichever comes first), although some manufacturers now offer warranties that are longer than this too.
Extended warranties
Once the original manufacturer warranty has expired a motorist could opt to not have a warranty, but this can be a huge risk and one which could prove to be costly. Instead, it is a good move to take out an extended warranty from a specialist provider for your particular brand, such as a KIA warranty. Often, these extended warranties will have a range of helpful additional features too such as the costs of a replacement vehicle or onwards travel. Additionally, when you obtain an extended warranty from a specialist provider (as opposed to a dealership) there should be fewer exclusions and a flexible level of cover.
Is it worth it?
Some motorists believe that an extended warranty is not worth it, but breakdowns are always unexpected and modern day vehicles can be very costly to repair. Unless you have money tucked away for this scenario, this will always be a nasty surprise but an extended warranty will provide important cover along with peace of mind.
It can be daunting to purchase a car for the first time as there are many aspects to consider, but make sure that you find out about warranties as this is a key aspect which could save you an enormous sum if the original warranty has expired.
