1 If your vehicle is already faulty, then forget it! We have learned to spot the telltale signs which show up vehicles which are ‘already' defective. We also carry out spot check inspections. If you're taking out our warranty to fix up a car that's already faulty – then forget it. Equally, if your car is simply worn out – we can't help you.

2 Is your vehicle automatically disqualified? We don't cover vehicles that have been insurance write offs or take on board used vehicles from outside the EEC.

3 Make sure your vehicle has a service history and that it's bang up to date. You must have proof that the vehicle's servicing has been carried out correctly to the manufacturer's recommended schedule by a VAT registered garage and keep up the servicing during the warranty. We'll need to see proof of servicing if you need to claim.

4 If your vehicle is over three years old, it needs an MOT. If your MOT isn't current the warranty won't cover you.

5 Double check that you have all the cover you need. You only have 30 days to change things after booking and no time at all if you need to make a claim. The more you pay – the more you get. So it's no good complaining to me afterwards that you didn't understand what options were available.

6 We simply can't cover everything. There are a few obvious things that we simply can't protect You against. Make sure you know what they are before you take out a warranty.

7 Stop driving your vehicle the moment you think something is wrong. If you carry on driving you can make matters worse and could invalidate any claim.

8 Don't repair your vehicle without our authorisation. You'll be disappointed if you shell out loads of cash without logging a claim and then expect us to pay afterwards. Tell us what you're doing before you pay for any repairs.