When you purchase a used car, it is important to check if the car has a warranty. Not all used cars have a warranty as standard, and you may need to pay an additional cost to ensure your car is warranty protected.
Some used cars may still have part of their original warranty period left depending on how old the car is and the terms of the car warranty provider. However, there could be a mileage cap, which limits the number of miles a car can drive before the warranty is terminated. This is why it’s important to run background checks on any used car you want to buy.
To run a background check, all you need to do is enter the vehicle’s registration number into the Car Guide website, and you will be able to view the car’s history.
A car warranty can provide peace of mind if you’re buying a used car that’s more than a couple of years old. But be sure to do your research as some warranties are invalid if certain conditions aren’t met. You should try to find out as much information as you can about your chosen vehicle; then, you can make a decision on the best-used car warranty for your needs.
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What is a used car warranty?
A used car warranty is a product guarantee that offers financial protection against having to pay for repairs or replacements to fix faults within a second-hand vehicle. While car insurance protects a vehicle after an accident, a car warranty covers the costs of replacements and repairs due to malfunctions.
A used car warranty covers you for spare parts and labour repair costs if your car needs them within a given time frame. Car warranties vary greatly. Each company will have their own caps on the mileage and age of the car. Each provider will also offer different payouts for repairs and labour, so it’s up to you to check the small print before buying a warranty. There are plenty of companies out there, like Warranty Direct, who offer motorists peace of mind against unexpected repair costs. If a car experiences a mechanical or electrical failure, drivers can rest easy knowing that the repairs won’t put a dent in their bank account.
Let’s jump in and take a look at some of the best-used car warranty providers in the UK.
Used Car Warranty Providers
Warranty Direct
Warranty Direct offer a single, comprehensive warranty cover, although customers are able to opt for different levels of excess.
Vehicles must be less than ten years old and have covered fewer than 100,000 miles. Their cover is comprehensive and includes:
- AA Roadside Assistance.
- MOT Test Insurance. Warranty Direct also covers you for an MOT test insurance in case you have an MOT test failure. This covers the replacement parts and fittings to pass your MOT.
- Multimedia. Car warranty includes multimedia components for factory fitted equipment.
- Mechanical and electrical protection. Warranty Direct protects your car against any mechanical or electrical failures.
ALA Insurance
ALA Insurance provides used car warranties from the RAC. The RAC has partnered with ALA to make their warranty provision simpler and more accessible.
The RAC and ALA offer three levels of cover:
- Premium Plus. This is the most expensive option and covers most of the mechanical and electrical components of the vehicle. It includes wear-and-tear cover for named components and diagnostics fees up to £50.
- Premium. This cover is similar to Premium Plus but doesn’t include wear-and-tear cover or diagnostics.
- Standard. This only covers the main components such as gearbox, engine, steering and suspension.
For Premium and Standard cover, cars must be under eight years old and have less than 80,000 miles on the clock.
For Premium Plus, cars must be under six years old and have covered less than 60,000 miles. The car must also have been serviced within the last 12 months.
Motoreasy
MotorEasy covers cars under 12 years old, with less than 120,000 miles driven. They have over 10,000 garage partners across the country and can even collect and return your vehicle for you.
MotorEasy offers three types of policy: A, B, or C. Each policy has different components covered, with A being the most comprehensive. They also offer a low-cost version of each policy called ‘Lite’, which covers repairs following a roadside breakdown. MotorEasy policies also cover wear and tear and overheating faults, as well as giving you the option of adding features when customising your own policy. They also offer diagnostics up to £60.
If you decide to buy from MotorEasy then your car must not have a pre-existing problem. You’ll also need to make sure that it is regularly serviced.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Brakes
- Clutch
- Gearbox
- Engine
- Fuel systems
- Steering
- Suspension
Before getting a warranty for a used car, you should consider what the different warranties offer in relation to what your car may need. If you are able to, you should perform a full vehicle check to identify any components of your vehicle that may be likely to need servicing or replacement in the near future.
Most used car warranties cover:
- Brakes
- Clutch
- Gearbox
- Engine
- Fuel systems
- Steering
- Suspension
So check the condition of each of these and make sure that any deal you opt for provides cover for the areas that may need it.
You should also check the history of your car, which you can do with Car Guide, to notice any recurring faults it may have. Find out more here.
