Should I take extended warranty on used car?

Legacy_user

Hi,
Looking for advice as usual. I posted a couple of months ago regards repair or replace my 51 Scenic. Iwas given good advice, thanks. But..
To cut a long story short, I should have replaced and not gone with the (very expensive) repair option.
I have now bought another Scenic (C-Max too dear plus not quite as good a fit with our needs) its a 57 plate Dynamique 1.6 and very nice.
There is a 2 month balance of manufacturers warranty left, so, I am looking for advice on wether I should buy the Arnold Clark Autocare mechanical/extended warranty. On first glance it looks quite good but pricey, £295 for one year or £395 for two. Also, is it worth taking the 'Clark Plan' £179 for 2 services and 2 MOTs?
All advice gratefully received, as usual :j and if you are not fed up helping me, I am about to post on Techie board for advice on new PC!
Thanks in advance,
Linda

Arfa__

No.

These policies are all a rip off, they'll do anything they can to avoid paying, claim all damage is wear'n'tear, corrosion or simply excluded from cover. They often don't payout any diagnostic fees, any replacement parts they deem covered will only be to the value of a cheap'n'shity no-name generic brand version, that probably won't last.

Clark plan may not be so bad. MOT's will be aroudn the £30-40 mark each and replacement air/oil filters etc on French cars tend to mount up. Go through the fine print and see exactly what serviceable parts are covered; filters, belts, pads, etc.

Lum

Every time I've looked at an extended warranty they have been a con. One only covered "lubricated moving parts" so if you blow a head gasket or your ECU fails, it's not covered, but if your crankshaft snaps they'll pay out.

Another didn't cover cars over 15 years old and they were trying to sell it to me on a car that was 15 1/2 years old. That one also had awful claim limits. Over 5 years old, limited to £500. Over 10 years old, limited to £250.

Worthless.

ROY47

Got to disagree
bought a used peugeot 206 for the wife from a main dealer type of place (motorpark swansea ) ,took out 2 yr warranty for £250

13 months after purchase alternator went kaput
6 months later crankshaft pulley went kaput

total bill for both was over £700 :eek:

£250 was well worth it

have a good read of t&c's

and if the salesman says everything is covered ask for it in writing seperate to the actual warranty

dylanandlulu

I bought a 2nd hand car in August and my 3 month warranty runs out a week this thursday, I declined the extended warranty as it was quoted to me at £600(!!!!!) for two years I think. Needless to say I declined.

However I have had a few problems with this car, the latest meaning that it was due to go in again today but as it needs to be picked up and dropped back off by the garage and there has apparently been a problem with the driver being off sick, this has been reschuduled for a week today (so very close to the warrenty ending on the thursday of next week). However when it went in for a faulty 02 sensor they fixed it quickly and without arguement.

So I am a little nervous about it ending but on a whole im glad i didnt bother with the warranty, I figured it was better to have my money in the little pot and repair any problems as and when they crop up rather than having it going too and from the dealership constantly which is a big hassle for me as it is a fair way away. Im sure that any problems would be considered to be down the wear and tear and therefore not covered. Or charging for diagnostic checks. I decided not to bother and just pay as and when, rather than pay a chunk of change and then still maybe end up paying out anyway.

bigdic

I took out the Arnold Clark warranty when I bought my car (haven't had to use it which is good). Having read through the T&Cs I thought it to be good value for what's covered. A family member had his ECU go on his car which had no warranty and it cost him over £600.

My advice would be to read what's covered and decide if it's worth the peace of mind.

movilogo

I have now bought another Scenic

Get the warranty. Renaults are notorious for unreliability.

Ranger8

I paid £1190 last year for a Jaguar extended warranty but its only £1150 this year.