Meta Title: Car Warranty Guide 2026 | What's Covered & Your Legal Rights | Hexham

Meta Description: Complete UK car warranty guide from a Hexham dealer. Learn what warranties cover, exclusions, Consumer Rights Act 2015 protection, and warranty vs statutory rights.

Meta Keywords: car warranty UK guide, what warranty covers, Consumer Rights Act 2015, manufacturer warranty explained, used car warranty, extended warranty worth it, warranty exclusions, statutory rights cars, warranty vs legal rights, Hexham car dealer

Car Warranty Guide: What You Actually Need to Know

What is a Car Warranty?

Walk into any dealership and ask about warranty, and you'll get a sales pitch about "comprehensive coverage" and "complete peace of mind." But what does a warranty actually cover? More importantly, what doesn't it cover—and when do your legal rights under the Consumer Rights Act 2015 give you more protection than the warranty itself?

A car warranty is a contractual promise from the manufacturer or dealer that certain parts will be repaired or replaced free of charge if they fail within a specified period. It's not insurance, and it's not a guarantee that everything is covered. Understanding the difference between warranty types, exclusions, and your statutory rights can save you thousands.

Industry reality: Most new cars come with 3-year warranties, but coverage varies dramatically. Some manufacturers offer 5-7 years, while Toyota extends to 10 years if you service with their dealers. Meanwhile, 28% of cars aged 6-20 years old develop problems—yet 16% of repairs are still covered for free by dealers despite being outside warranty periods.

Three main types of warranty

1. Manufacturer warranty (new cars) Most new cars come with 3 years of coverage, though Kia and MG offer 7 years, Hyundai provides 5 years unlimited mileage, and Toyota extends to 10 years with dealer servicing. Covers major mechanical and electrical components—engine, gearbox, drivetrain, ECU.

2. Approved used warranty Main dealers offer 12-month warranties on used stock, typically cars under 3 years old still carrying manufacturer warranty. If the original warranty has expired, approved used schemes provide similar coverage for another year.

3. Aftermarket/third-party warranty Offered by independent dealers or purchased separately from companies like Warrantywise, AA, RAC. Usually 3-12 months on older vehicles. Coverage varies—basic packages cover major components only, comprehensive packages approach manufacturer warranty levels.

Understanding these options helps when you're choosing the right car for your needs. But the warranty is only part of your protection—your statutory rights often matter more.

What Do Warranties Actually Cover?

Most warranties cover major mechanical and electrical components—the expensive stuff you can't afford to replace yourself. This includes engine, gearbox, drivetrain, ECU, suspension components, steering system, cooling system, and fuel system.

What's excluded: wear and tear items

No warranty covers parts that wear out through normal use—these are considered "consumables." Expect to pay for:

• ✗ Tyres — Always your responsibility
• ✗ Brake pads/discs — Wear items, not covered
• ✗ Batteries — Unless fail within 90 days
• ✗ Wiper blades — Consumable item
• ✗ Clutches — Unless premature failure proven
• ✗ Bulbs & fuses — Cheap, owner responsibility

Important nuance: associated parts

Even if a wearing part isn't covered, associated components may be. For instance: clutch plates aren't covered, but clutch bearings and springs are. Brake pads aren't covered, but calipers are. Tyres aren't covered, but a faulty TPMS sensor might be.

Always check your warranty terms to understand these distinctions—they can make the difference between a free repair and a £500+ bill.

Return-to-base policies

Some cheaper warranties are "return to base," meaning the car must be brought back to the supplying dealer or their network for repairs. This creates problems if you've moved, are on holiday, or the dealer is 200 miles away. Always ask if the warranty allows you to use any garage, or restricts you to specific locations.

The Consumer Rights Act 2015: Your Legal Backup

Here's what most people don't realize: whether or not a warranty exists, you still have legal protection when buying from a dealer. In many cases, your statutory rights under the Consumer Rights Act 2015 provide stronger protection than the warranty itself.

Your rights under the CRA

First 30 days: You have the right to reject the car and get a full refund if it's not of satisfactory quality, fit for purpose, or as described. No arguments, no repair attempts—full rejection rights.

30 days to 6 months: The dealer must prove the fault was not present at the time of sale if they refuse a repair or refund. The burden of proof is on them, not you. You're entitled to a free repair or replacement.

After 6 months: You still have rights up to 6 years (5 years in Scotland), but now you need to prove the fault was present at purchase. If the repair can't be done, you can request a price reduction or refund.

Critical: The CRA only applies to dealerships or traders, NOT private sellers. Buying privately means "sold as seen" with minimal legal protection. Don't fall for common car buying myths about warranty coverage.

Manufacturer Warranties: What to Expect

Duration and mileage limits

Most manufacturers offer 3-year warranties, but there's massive variation. The warranty expires when you hit either the time limit or mileage limit—whichever comes first.

Example: If you have a 3-year, 60,000-mile warranty and drive 60,000 miles in 2 years, you lose the final year of warranty coverage. You've hit the mileage limit first.

Electric vehicle battery warranties

EVs and plug-in hybrids come with separate battery warranties, typically 8 years/100,000 miles. These guarantee against battery degradation below a certain threshold (usually 70% of original capacity). Skoda, for instance, promises at least 70% capacity after 8 years or 100,000 miles.

Battery warranties are longer because there's less stress on EV batteries than conventional engines. They're also transferable when you sell the car—a major benefit for used EV buyers.

Anti-perforation (rust) warranties

Most manufacturers provide 12-year anti-perforation warranties against rust. But there's a catch: they only cover corrosion that starts from inside the bodywork, not external damage. If rust develops from a stone chip or scrape you didn't repair, you're not covered.

Some warranties explicitly state the bodywork must have a hole all the way through before they'll act. Surface rust on subframes or suspension components typically isn't covered—these parts see more punishment from road debris.

Used Car Warranties: What You Should Know

There's a belief that buying used means you're on your own—not true. Your statutory rights under the CRA still apply regardless of the car's age. But warranty coverage varies dramatically based on where you buy and what you pay for.

Approved used schemes (manufacturer-backed)

Buy from a franchised dealer's approved used programme and you typically get 12 months of warranty coverage that's similar to new car warranties. If the car still has original manufacturer warranty remaining (common on cars under 3 years old), that continues plus the approved used warranty stacks on top.

What approved used warranties typically cover:

• Engine, gearbox, drivetrain
• Electrical systems and ECU
• Suspension and steering
• Cooling and fuel systems
• Usually 12 months from purchase
• May exclude battery, exhaust, wheels on older cars

Independent dealer warranties

Independent dealers often use third-party warranty providers (AA, RAC, Warrantywise). These vary wildly in quality. Some only cover parts (you pay labour), some cap repair costs at £1,000-£5,000, some exclude entire systems like electrics.

Always get warranty terms in writing before buying. Ask specifically: What's covered? What's the claim limit? Do I pay labour? Can I use any garage? What's excluded?

Older, higher-mileage cars

Cars over 10 years old or with 100,000+ miles may come with shorter warranties (3-6 months), clauses excluding pre-existing faults, or be sold "sold as seen." "Sold as seen" is fine—but it doesn't override CRA protections. If the car develops a fault that clearly existed at sale, you still have statutory rights.

Learn more about spotting good deals on used cars and avoiding warranty traps.

Extended Warranties: Worth Buying?

When your manufacturer warranty expires, you'll often be offered an extended warranty. These vary massively in value depending on who provides them and what they cover.

Manufacturer extended warranties

Manufacturer-provided extensions typically offer the same comprehensive coverage as the original warranty, just for longer. Example: Audi's Approved Cover extends coverage, but includes a £2,000 limit on consequential damage.

Costs vary: £243-£2,246/year depending on the car (based on What Car? data for 2020 models). Premium brands like BMW cost significantly more than mainstream brands like Honda or Skoda.

Third-party extended warranties

Companies like Warrantywise, AA, RAC, and Warranty Direct offer customizable coverage. You pick: claim limits (£5,000-£10,000+), excess fees (£0-£300), labour rate caps (£35-£60/hour), coverage levels (basic to comprehensive).

Critical factors to check:

• Betterment charges: Some providers charge you if the new part is "better" than the old one, potentially leaving you with bills for thousands
• Labour rate caps: £35/hour caps are useless when dealers charge £80-£120/hour—you'll pay the difference
• Claim limits: £1,000 engine repair limit won't help when the actual cost is £7,500
• Consequential damage: Does it cover secondary failures caused by the first one?
• Garage restrictions: Can you use any garage or only their network?

Are extended warranties worth it?

Depends on the car. What Car? data shows only 14% of 2020 BMW 3 Series owners had issues, with 79% covered free by manufacturer. For a 12-month extended warranty costing £243-£2,246, you're gambling that your car will be in the unlucky 14%—and that the issue costs more than the warranty.

Meanwhile, 12% of Honda Jazz owners had problems—all fixed under warranty. Extended warranty cost: £178-£778. If you buy a reliable car, you're paying for peace of mind you probably don't need.

Extended warranties make sense for: expensive cars with high repair costs, vehicles known for reliability issues, or if you simply can't afford a surprise £3,000 bill. They don't make sense for reliable brands like Toyota, Honda, Mazda unless you prioritize absolute certainty over statistical likelihood.

What Voids Your Warranty

Warranties come with conditions. Breach these and you'll be paying for repairs yourself, even if the fault is covered.

Missed servicing

The #1 warranty killer. If your service schedule says service every 12 months or 12,000 miles and you've done 40,000 miles with no services, expect warranty claims to be rejected. Even if the fault is unrelated to servicing, manufacturers can reasonably argue lack of maintenance contributed.

There's slight leeway: services done 1,000 miles or 30 days beyond the schedule are usually fine. Beyond that, you're risking rejection.

Real example: Two-year-old car, engine seizes. Owner assumes warranty covers it. Investigation reveals 40,000 miles, never serviced. Oil turned to jelly, coolant tank dry. Result: owner liable for £15,000+ engine replacement. No warranty coverage due to neglect.

Can I use independent garages?

For NEW car warranties: Yes. Under block exemption rules, you can use independent garages that use correct OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) parts. Get receipts itemizing the parts used so you can prove correct servicing.

For extended warranties and used car warranties: Check your terms. Many require dealer servicing. This is how Toyota offers 10-year warranties—contingent on using Toyota dealers for servicing.

Modifications

Fit aftermarket wheels, lower the suspension, or remap the engine, and you're probably invalidating the warranty. Even if the modified part is unrelated to the one that fails, manufacturers can refuse claims on grounds the car is no longer original specification.

Exception: manufacturer-approved modifications fitted from new (e.g., Ford's Mountune performance packages) are typically supported.

Misuse and neglect

If the failure was caused by how you used the car, warranty won't cover it. Track day damage on a sports car, severe off-road damage on an SUV, clutch failure from aggressive driving—all exclude warranty coverage.

Similarly, failing to address warning lights or ignoring obvious mechanical problems and continuing to drive invalidates claims. If the dashboard shows "ENGINE FAULT - STOP IMMEDIATELY" and you keep driving until the engine explodes, that's on you.

What to Ask Dealers Before Buying

Don't just accept whatever warranty is offered. Ask these specific questions:

1. What's covered and what's excluded? Get specifics. "Comprehensive coverage" means nothing without details.
2. Is it a return-to-base policy? Can you use any garage or must you return to the selling dealer?
3. What's the claims process? Do you need pre-authorization? What's the turnaround time?
4. Are parts and labour both covered? Some warranties only cover parts—you pay £80-£120/hour labour.
5. Will the warranty be in my name? Or is it only enforceable through the supplying dealer? If they go bust, is your warranty worthless?
6. What's the claim limit per repair? £1,000? £5,000? Unlimited? If your gearbox fails and costs £6,000 to replace, who pays the extra £1,000?
7. Does it cover consequential damage? If one part fails and breaks another, are both covered?

At We Buy Cars Hexham, we're upfront about what our warranties cover and what's excluded. No grey areas, no surprises. If you're unsure, ask before you buy—not after something breaks.

Real Case Study: Warranty vs Consumer Rights Act

A customer bought a 5-year-old diesel hatchback with a 6-month dealer warranty. Two weeks in, the gearbox developed a fault—grinding gears, difficulty changing, clearly a major issue.

The warranty provider initially refused to pay out, citing a technicality in the terms about "pre-existing conditions" and arguing the fault existed before purchase (despite the customer having no way to know this).

Because the fault occurred within the first 30 days, the customer invoked their Consumer Rights Act 2015 rights—full rejection. We refunded the purchase in full, no fight, no stress.

Key lesson: This shows why your legal rights often offer more protection than the warranty itself. The warranty tried to weasel out on a technicality. The CRA gave the customer ironclad protection—if the car has a major fault in the first 30 days, you can reject it, period.

Know your legal rights. Sometimes the warranty is a red herring—the Consumer Rights Act is your real protection.

Final Thoughts

A warranty is a valuable safety net—but it's not the be-all and end-all. Know your legal rights, read the fine print, and make sure the dealer is willing to work with you if something goes wrong.

If you're unsure about your cover or need advice on a claim, get in touch with us at We Buy Cars Hexham. We're happy to guide you—whether you bought the car from us or not.

Need Warranty Advice?

At We Buy Cars Hexham, we provide transparent warranty information on all our vehicles. Contact us for honest advice about warranty coverage and your legal rights.