If you’re looking to understand car warranties, how a manufacturer’s warranty works, and what wear and tear means for your cover, you’re in the right place. This guide breaks down everything you need to know so you can protect your car and your wallet!
What’s a car warranty?
A car warranty protects you against the cost of repairing mechanical or electrical failures. If a covered part breaks, the warranty pays for the parts and labour needed to fix it.
Car warranties can come from:
- Manufacturers
- Retailers
- Third‑party warranty providers
- Insurance companies
The level of cover varies depending on the policy, so it’s important to check what’s included.
What’s a manufacturer’s warranty?
Every new car comes with a manufacturer’s warranty, usually lasting three years. Some brands offer longer cover, but protection often reduces as the car gets older or the mileage increases.
A manufacturer’s warranty typically covers:
- Most mechanical components
- Most electrical components
- Faults caused by manufacturing defects
Repairs are carried out free of charge by an approved dealer.
What’s NOT covered?
Manufacturer warranties exclude parts that naturally wear out over time. These are often called service items, consumables, or wearing parts, such as:
- Brake pads
- Clutch pads
- Tyres
- Wheels
- Exhausts
- Batteries
- Wiper blades
If these fail, you’ll need to pay for replacements yourself.
What happens when my manufacturer’s warranty ends?
Once your manufacturer’s warranty expires, you have two options:
- Pay for repairs yourself, or
- Take out an extended car warranty for continued protection
While it’s tempting to assume your car won’t develop faults, unexpected repairs can be expensive. An extended warranty offers peace of mind and helps avoid large, surprise bills.
MotorEasy Car Warranties with Halfords
We’ve partnered with MotorEasy to offer flexible, great‑value car warranty plans*. Cover includes:
- Repairs handled directly by MotorEasy
- Liaison with your local Halfords Autocentre
- Collection and return of your vehicle from home or work
- Preferential rates on Halfords servicing and MOTs
- Discounts on motoring products
- A free vehicle health check
What’s ‘wear and tear’ and do car warranties cover it?
“Wear and tear” refers to the natural deterioration of mechanical components as your car ages and mileage increases. It’s a normal part of vehicle ownership.
Many warranty providers exclude wear and tear, and around 70% of claims fall into this category. Because the term is broad, it can be used to reject a wide range of repair requests.
MotorEasy includes wear and tear cover
With a MotorEasy warranty, wear and tear is covered from day one, as long as your vehicle passes a health check at the start of your policy. That means:
- No unexpected exclusions
- No disputes over what counts as wear and tear
- No surprise repair bills
*Halfords Limited is an Introducer Appointed Representative of MotorEasy, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. In applying for a quote, you will be passing your data to MotorEasy.
