The big manufacturer warranty war

19 November 2010

It could be the big deal breaker or deal maker: the warranty with added extras can make a big difference to your ownership experience. With Vauxhall announcing a lifetime warranty earlier this year - it's actually 100,000 miles so not really lifetime - this could be classed as the best warranty around.

However, it's not as good as you might think. The Vauxhall warranty can't be transferred on to subsequent owners - it's only valid for the first buyer - while Kia and Hyundai cover plans can be passed on to the next owners when the car is sold on.

It's worth finding out exactly what's included: you might not even be aware that your warranty includes rust and paintwork cover and breakdown assistance.

Read on for the rundown of manufacturers' warranties.

Audi

Three year warranty	Two years' unlimited mileage manufacturer warranty and one year 60,000 miles dealer warranty
What else do you get?	12 years' structural rust, three years' paintwork and three years' breakdown cover. Plus it can be transferred between owners

BMW

Three year warranty	Three years' unlimited mileage manufacturer warranty
What else do you get?	12 years' structural rust, three years' paintwork and three years' breakdown cover. This can all be transferred on to the next owner of the car under the warranty timescale

Chevrolet

Five year warranty	Three years/60,000 miles manufacturer warranty and two years or 40,000 miles external warranty provider
What else do you get?	Six years' structural rust, three years' paintwork warranty, five years' free servicing, five years' roadside assistance, five years' MOT test warranty and five years' health check. The warranty is transferrable for a fee of up to £25

Citroen

Three year warranty	Two-year unlimited mileage manufacturer warranty and one year or 60,000 miles dealer warranty
What else do you get?	12 years' surface rust cover and three years' paintwork. It's transferrable between owners at no extra cost

Fiat

Three year warranty	Two years' unlimited mileage manufacturer warranty and one year or 60,000 miles dealer warranty
What else do you get?	Eight years' structural rust warranty, three-year paintwork and one-year AA breakdown cover. The Fiat warranty can be transferred to subsequent owners

Ford

Three year warranty	One-year unlimited mileage manufacturer warranty and two years or 60,000 miles dealer warranty
What else do you get?	Up to 12 years' structural rust warranty, three years' paintwork and one-year Ford breakdown assistance which also covers Europe. The warranty is also transferrable to other owners

Honda

Three year warranty	Three years or 90,000 miles manufacturer warranty
What else do you get?	Three years' surface corrosion, 12 years' structural corrosion, ten years' chassis corrosion and five years' exhaust system warranty. The standard warranty can be passed on to the next owner of the car

Hyundai

Five year warranty	Five-year unlimited mileage manufacturer warranty
What else do you get?	Six to ten years' structural rust warranty from inside of panel outwards and one year to five years' roadside assistance programme. This warranty can also be transferred to the next owner

Kia

Seven year warranty	Three years' unlimited mileage manufacturer warranty and four years' or 100,000 miles dealer warranty
What else do you get?	Ten years' structural rust cover and five years' paintwork cover. You can also transfer the warranty to the person who buys the car next

Mazda

Three year warranty	One-year unlimited mileage manufacturer warranty and two years' or 60,000 miles dealer warranty.
What else do you get?	Six to 12 years' structural rust cover, three years/unlimited mileage paintwork cover and three years' breakdown cover. Mazda's warranty can be transferred to the next owner free of charge

Mercedes-Benz

Three year warranty	Three years' unlimited mileage manufacturer warranty.
What else do you get?	30 years' structural rust and four years' breakdown. This warranty can also be transferred if you sell the car on

MINI

Three year warranty	Three years' unlimited mileage manufacturer warranty
What else do you get?	12 years' structural warranty, three years' paintwork and three years' breakdown. You can transfer the MINI warranty when you sell the car on

Nissan

Three year warranty	Three years' or 60,000 miles manufacturer warranty
What else do you get?	Six to 12 years' structural rust, three years' paintwork cover and three years' breakdown. This can be transferred to the next owner

Peugeot

Three year warranty	Two years' unlimited mileage manufacturer warranty and one year or 60,000 miles dealer warranty
What else do you get?	12 years' structural rust, three years' paintwork and one year breakdown assistance. The Peugeot warranty is also transferrable

Renault

Three year warranty	Two years' unlimited mileage manufacturer warranty and one year/60,000miles or 100,000 miles depending on model
What else do you get?	12 years' structural rust cover and three years' paintwork warranty. Three years' Renault Assistance breakdown cover. This warranty can be transferred at no extra cost

SEAT

Three year warranty	Two years or 60,000 miles manufacturer warranty and one year warranty only available if you haven't exceeded 60,000 miles
What else do you get?	12 years' structural rust and two years of breakdown assistance. The warranty from SEAT is also fully transferrable to the next owner as long as it is still valid

Skoda

Three year warranty	Two years' unlimited mileage manufacturer warranty and one year or 60,000 miles dealer warranty
What else do you get?	12 years' structural rust plus three years' paintwork warranty. This can then be passed on the next owner of the car

Suzuki

Three year warranty	Three years or 60,000 miles manufacturer warranty
What else do you get?	12 years' ant-perforation warranty. The Suzuki warranty is also transferrable to any new owners of the car

Toyota

Five Years warranty	Three years or 60,000 miles manufacturer warranty and two years or 100,000 miles dealer warranty
What else do you get?	12 years' structural rust warranty and three years' paintwork and surface rust cover. One year breakdown cover and the warranty is also transferrable

Vauxhall

Lifetime warranty	One year unlimited mileage manufacturer warranty, two years or 60,000 miles manufacturer warranty and unlimited time or 100,000 miles
What else do you get?	Six years' anti-perforation warranty and one year's Vauxhall breakdown assistance. The cover is only available for the first owner and not transferrable

Volkswagen

Three year warranty	Two years unlimited mileage manufacturer warranty and one year or 60,000 miles dealer warranty
What else do you get?	12 years' structural rust warranty and three years' paintwork cover. This warranty can also be transferred when the car is sold on

Volvo

Three year warranty	Three years or 60,000 miles manufacturer warranty
What else do you get?	12 years' structural rust and three years' paintwork warranty and surface rust. The Volvo can also be transferred when you sell the car on

Parkers Top Tip

Don't forget that you can always buy a second-hand car warranty to protect your car and give you peace of mind, if it doesn't already have an existing warranty.