Warranty direct experiences

**roy_rajat** · 31-05-2013,07:31 AM

I have been considering taking out a Warranty Direct cover but have been reading stories about how they wiggle out with the clauses such as 'damage due to a pre-existing fault will not be covered' even after 90 days of no claim period. How do you assess their is no pre-existing fault? Should I be doing a comprehensive health check which again would cost money? I have been offered (after speaking to a rep over the phone post filling an online quote) a cover for 515 pounds for 13 months for my Audi A6 2.0TDi (with Audi dealer) and they included the consequential damage clause as well. Is this a good price? Extended warranty with Audi will be more than 1000.

**Guest 2** · 31-05-2013,07:45 AM

Please don't - I had a WarrantyWise good warranty on my old 2007 Megane . They messed me about for 4 months while the car was off the road saying big end bearing failure wasn't sudden engine failure.

They ended up not paying out, I was out of pocket as I had to buy a replacement engine. I promptly sold the car and bought my A3.

They used every trick in the book to get out of paying, plus I had to pay the garage labour charges which they got out of aswell.

Audi extended warranty may be expensive but not once have I had a claim rejected, all diagnostics are paid for and I jus sign a document at the handover no questions asked.

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**roy_rajat** · 31-05-2013,08:06 AM

Talking to Audi yesterday they seem to be reluctant to sell me the Audi extended warranty as it was a 5 year old car. Also the last service was not at Audi's. That could be a reason why they are charging more than a car which has throughout been maintained with Audi.

**MarkTM** · 31-05-2013,08:11 AM

Roy,

Personally I think giving a comparison of one aftermarket warranty company based on experiences of a completely different company a little pointless.

A simple google will give you these results

warrantydirect.co.uk - advice, car reviews and opinions

Warranty direct 79% good or better

Warranty Wise - car review, road test & used car prices

Warrantywise 81% good or better

So based on comparative reviews their a much-of-a-muchness

Natch it depends on the package taken and as you know people are far LESS likely to do a review if they have something positive to say. So the the cynic on me says to take the postive reviews with a pinch-of-salt as it could be the companies themselves trying to sway the figures (IMO you can usually tell the fake ones by the lack of detail).

I WAS going to go with a Warranty Direct policy but was swayed not to purely based on the number of times they tried to call me (x8) without leaving me a message. I'd still take a 3yr policy IF there were signifiant discounts for longer periods so 20% less per year for a 2yr and 30% less per year for a 3yr...so if you see one like that let me know.

**Bash D Bishop** · 31-05-2013,08:29 AM

I have a Warranty Direct Extra Care warranty on my Discovery 3. It followed-on directly from the end of the LR warranty so there was no deferred 90 day period. The total cost for 2 years was £1,098 although that is based on using independents and not LR dealers. If you want warranty work done in LR dealers the policy is more expensive and you also must use the LR dealers for servicing. It is quite extensive and covers "wear and tear" items that many companies include. However, it does have a "betterment" clause that reduces the amount they will pay for parts. They explain it as follows:-

“If you make a valid claim, it is not our aim to put you in a better financial position than before the claim. So, in certain circumstances, where replacement parts are fitted to replace parts which have suffered a breakdown, and this results in your vehicle being in a better condition than it was before the breakdown, you must pay towards the cost of the parts.”

Up to 6 years or 60,000 miles - 100%
Up to 7 years or 70,000 miles - 80%
Up to 8 years or 80,000 miles - 70%
Up to 9 years or 90,000 miles - 60%
Up to 10 years or 100,000 miles - 50%
Over 10 years or 100,000 miles - 50%

My car recently went in for some work. It need front and rear anti-roll bar linkages replaced, front lower wishbones and nearside front wheel bearing/hub. Total cost was £730. WD covered c. £389. The reason for the difference was “betterment” deduction along with £50 excess for EACH item.

I have the cover for piece of mind. I really thought I was about to get my monies worth this week when the Electronic Handbrake started screaming. Normally this is a sign the module has gone and it is a c.£1k job to replace. Thankfully all that was wrong was adjustment and the total cost was £130.

**bennettp23** · 31-05-2013,08:50 AM

Originally Posted by roy_rajat

I have been considering taking out a Warranty Direct cover but have been reading stories about how they wiggle out with the clauses such as 'damage due to a pre-existing fault will not be covered' even after 90 days of no claim period. How do you assess their is no pre-existing fault? Should I be doing a comprehensive health check which again would cost money? I have been offered (after speaking to a rep over the phone post filling an online quote) a cover for 515 pounds for 13 months for my Audi A6 2.0TDi (with Audi dealer) and they included the consequential damage clause as well. Is this a good price? Extended warranty with Audi will be more than 1000.

Don't bother, get the audi one. It just makes more sense, taking into account no wiggling, no reduction in payout etc.....

**Whippy53** · 31-05-2013,09:57 AM

Personally, for the peace of mind, I would go Audi. Safe pair of hands and all that.

**MarkTM** · 31-05-2013,10:09 AM

As OP posted his car doesn't have FASH just as mine didn't & Audi wouldn't consider mine, so am thinking OP can't take the Audi alternative if he wanted to.

Keep up people!!

**roy_rajat** · 31-05-2013,10:52 AM

Originally Posted by MarkTM

As OP posted his car doesn't have FASH just as mine didn't & Audi wouldn't consider mine, so am thinking OP can't take the Audi alternative if he wanted to.

Keep up people!!

Yes that is precisely the case. The private dealer I bought the car from serviced the car from an indy and got the book stamped thereby breaking the FASH. Hence I presume, Audi are not keen to offer me an extended warranty. Although I am sure if I insist, they would probably sell me one but of course without any room for negotiation at a much higher price. I was wondering does Audi do a free of charge health check (I am talking from my experience with Toyota dealers) that would cover any major faults to worry about. And then I could decide whether at all bother with a warranty.

**zollaf** · 31-05-2013,11:10 AM

take the cost of the warranty and stick this money into a savings account. then go and find a small local garage, like me, operated by someone who cares. get them to give the car the once over and keep on top of the servicing. drive it to look after it, and if nothing goes wrong you have some money left at the end of it. if something does happens, hopefully what you have put away will cover it. alternatively, do the sums and see if is actually cheaper to get a brand new or 1 year old car on whatever purchase plan and take advantage of the warranty from the dealer.