After market warranties - are they all just utter rubbish and a rip off ?

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So you're about to buy a second hand car but you are not a car nut and mechanics etc. are not on your list of favourite subjects. What do you do ? Now amongst the numerous companies offering warranties, are any any good and fairly priced or are they all just overpriced rubbish such as payment protection insurance on your credit card or loan ?

I see that Quentin Wilson is linked with one but that mean nothing I suppose and is probably just a fat fee earner for the guy.

Any opinions ?

Hammyman

Depends on what is covered. Most won't cover consumables so that means they won't cover clutches, brake pads and the like.

bigjl

Aftermarket warranties are merely mechanical breakdown insurance, they are full of loop holes. I have never bought one, I use the money they would have cost to give the car a good service, cambelt if needed, new tyres where needed etc. Cars break that is the nature of the beast, they cost money to run.

Don't believe everything that comes out of QW's mouth.

Some people may have been found guilty of clocking cars for resale, these same people may now be in a position of talking and advising about cars.................

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bigjl wrote: »

Aftermarket warranties are merely mechanical breakdown insurance, they are full of loop holes. I have never bought one, I use the money they would have cost to give the car a good service, cambelt if needed, new tyres where needed etc. Cars break that is the nature of the beast, they cost money to run.

Don't believe everything that comes out of QW's mouth.

Some people may have been found guilty of clocking cars for resale, these same people may now be in a position of talking and advising about cars.................

Pretty much my gut feeling. If small beer then perhaps but better as you say to put that money in the maintenance fund and get it properly sorted out when you buy it.

ukjoel

My own experience is mixed.

I dont think QW sells them himself - i did use one of the websites he was on and it was obvious that it was basically fronting the warranty direct quote configeration system so just went and bought through them direct.

On the plus side I had an air con problem which I was quoted best part of a grand to fix and they did sort it all out.

On the minus side I have an issue with the idle air valve and they wont replace without a read code and nowone will even look for a read code fault without £90 an hour diagnostic fee so its useless for intermittent faults.

The main minus for me is the garages they use. Its mainly nationwide autos around here and not only are they poor quality but they also try and and charge you for things that blatantly dont need doing. You can find an independent who will work for their national labour rate (but you need to pay up front and claim back the money) or pay a premium to use a main dealer.

I was with them last year and will stay with them.
Despite my claim my premium hasnt gone up and if you leave it a couple of days after doing the online quote they will be on the phone offering 10% discount, an extra month free, and an upgrade option for free.

If you have had the car since new then I would probably risk it but if its an ebay/classifieds/auction purchase then it gives you peace of mind until you trust the car.

property.advert

How much did you pay and for what level of protection ?