What you need to know about car warranties – Do you really need one?

Many UK drivers hear about extended warranties, but what do they really mean, and why are they important?

A car warranty protects you against the cost of sudden mechanical and electrical failures. It’s a smart investment, offering peace of mind and the option to tailor your plan to suit your needs – from adding extra components to upgrading your plan.

But what if you didn’t have a warranty in place? From costly repairs to the risk of a failed MOT, here’s what drivers face without a warranty in place.

Key facts at a glance:

• Repair costs are rising – major fixes like cylinders, hybrid batteries, or transmissions can cost upwards of £2000

• A replacement Ford Fiesta can reach £7000

• Even the most reliable manufacturers in the Warrantywise Reliability Index still show average repair bills of £530

• Labour costs are increasing as garages need expertise across petrol, diesel, hybrid and EV systems

• Being off the road is expensive – alternatives like taxis, car hire, or public transport quickly add up

• Cheap or botched repairs risk failed MOTs, higher costs, and driver safety

• Relying on a rainy day fund often isn’t enough – big repairs can wipe out months of income

• An extended car warranty from Warrantywise gives you peace of mind, flexible plan levels, and protection against unexpected bills

• Warrantywise plans are developed with motoring expert Quentin Wilson and overseen by Edd China, ensuring fair and transparent standards

• Real customer example: Norman Smith saved £1217 on repairs thanks to his Warrantywise plan

With living costs increasing and cars being kept for longer, unexpected repairs are hitting drivers harder than ever.

• Replacements like cylinders, hybrid batteries, and transmissions can cost upwards of £2000 depending on the model

• Even the most reliable manufacturers in our Warrantywise Reliability Index still had average repair bills of £530

• A replacement engine for a Ford Fiesta can cost £7000 – around a fifth of the UK’s average salary

Labour costs are also rising, as technicians now need expertise across petrol, diesel, hybrid and EV systems. Without a warranty, these costs fall directly on you.

If your car is undriveable, short-term alternatives like taxies or car hire or public transport quicky add up. What seems like a stop-gap can become an expensive burden.

Visit our article on the Top 10 most reliable used car makes and models to check out how reliable your car is.

Faced with high bills, some drivers turn to unqualified mechanics. But this can:

• Lead to failed MOTs

• Cause further damage and higher costs

• Put you and your passenger’s safety and risk

Always trust repairs to qualified professionals – and a warranty makes this affordable.

While setting aside money for repairs sounds sensible, most drivers underestimate their true cost. With average wages at £34,000, a major repair like an engine replacement could swallow months of earnings [1].

An extended warranty gives you peace of mind and financial security when the unexpected happens. With flexible plans developed alongside motoring expert Quentin Wilson and overseen by Edd China, Warrantywise ensures transparent, fair, and reliable plans.

Take it from our customer Norman Smith, who received £1217 across two separate repair requests, including a camshaft repair. With Warrantywise, he avoided a big out-of-pocket bill.

If you’re buying a used car, always confirm whether the manufacturer’s warranty is still valid. If not, consider extended car warranty from Warrantywise to protect against costly repairs.

Check out Warrantywise’s top tips for buying a used car if you want to know what other important questions you should be asking before making a purchase.

[1] ONS Statistics, December 23