New Extended Car Warranties Up To 7 Years

Wednesday, 11. August 2010

We’re encouraged to keep cars for longer as the manufacturers review their warranty periods. Toyota have announced a warranty extension to 5 years/100,000 miles joining Hyundai on 5 years also and Kia now on 7 years. These being the only manufacturers to announce the extended warranties across their full range of cars. Fiat now offers 5 years but only on the Bravo. The move, according to Toyota, has followed a recent trend for companies to keep their cars for longer as well as average car mileages dropping making the need to replace cars after just three years less appealing. The extended warranty periods will also help the resale values of cars being sold after 3 years, adding another benefit. Although not in the case of Vauxhall who still offer their normal 3 year/60,000 mile warranty but have added a lifetime warranty that covers the car for an unlimited period but up to 100,000 miles. However this extended warranty only applies to the first owner so it can’t be passed on – bit of a strange one that. Whilst Toyota try to recover the ground lost after its world wide recalls it is turning its attention to improved hybrid models and becoming a major player in the electric car market. Have Toyota regained the confidence of drivers? Would you buy a Toyota and what do you think of the longer warranties? By Graham Hill