One of the things that I check for when I’m buying a used car, particularly if it’s a somewhat newer model, is seeing whether or not the original manufacturer-backed warranty still provides cover for it. Besides, for the most part, manufacturer warranties can be transferred from the original, first-time owner, to you, if you’re buying that car on the second-hand market.
However, checking how much the warranty cover still has left, depending on the age or mileage of the used car you’re looking at, isn’t always so straightforward. So, is my used car still under its original manufacturer warranty, and how do I check this for cars here in the UK?
Well, the original, new-car, manufacturer warranty isn’t so easy to keep track of (unlike an aftermarket warranty like Warrantywise), but there are ways to do this. One of the simplest ways is by referring to your car’s VIN (vehicle identification number). A lot of carmakers have a specific site where you can fill in your car’s VIN, and it’ll spit out the warranty information you need.
This might include details concerning how much time and mileage you have left before the warranty can no longer apply to your car. Or, it could also detail the level of cover that was applied to the car in question; i.e. what is or isn’t covered, etc. For instance, Ford UK has a site just like this to type in the VIN or reg (just for Ford cars, mind).
Use Your VIN Number To Check The Warranty
Other carmakers, meanwhile, might require more than just the VIN, as they might also require the registration number, too. In any case, being able to check if your car is still under warranty just using the VIN makes things way easier.
First and foremost, you’ll of course have to figure out where the VIN number is. Here’s where you’d be able to find the VIN on your car:
- On the windscreen, just under the bottom of the screen when it meets the dash (you might need to lift the wipers). This is meant to make the 17-digit code and legal identifier for your car easier to spot by the authorities for quick checking.
- Stamped onto the chassis. You’ll usually find this on the driver’s side doorframe or on the door jamb. It may even be found on the shut line of the driver-side doors. In some cars, you can also find this on the floor underneath the driver-side front seat. Meanwhile, other cars have a metal stamp with the VIN on it somewhere around the car’s engine compartment. You might even find it near or under the spare tyre.
- Your car’s purchase documentation, insurance paperwork, registration form (V5C logbook), and other related papers detailing your ownership of the vehicle might also contain the VIN number.
Once you’ve located the 17-digit VIN, jot it down, and use VIN checking sites or special portals by carmakers to help you keep track of the warranty. This will give you valuable insight into the level of cover you get, and also, crucially, you’ll be able to gather how much time and mileage is left in the warranty.
This ought to let you know whether your car is still under warranty. These days, more and more carmakers even have mobile apps that you can log in and simply check the warranty status and cover information there.
Otherwise, Call A Local Dealer
If you can’t find the VIN, or if you can’t find any ways to check and decode the VIN, you could instead opt for the next best thing… Just call or visit the dealer. First-party dealerships that work with carmakers can plug into their database to check whether or not your particular car is still under warranty.
For example, if you own a Kia, you could visit or call the local Kia dealership and ask them to check whether or not the warranty cover is still active. It’s worth bearing in mind, that oftentimes, you’ll still need to prove your ownership over a particular car to have the dealership check the warranty status.
This means you’ll need to figure out what the VIN is, should they enquire. In addition, they might also ask you to provide the registration plate, and other specific details, such as the current mileage on the odometer. Or, if you remain unsure of how to gather all these details, or if it’s more convenient for you, you could visit the dealership in person with your car, and have them check it for you.
For me, this is usually the easiest and most reliable way to check if my car is still under warranty, here in the UK. Otherwise, if I do have my car’s specifics on me, like the VIN, registration number, or mileage reading, I could just email or call the dealership remotely.
How Long Do Car Warranties Cover For?
The length (in time and mileage) that a new car warranty covers varies from one carmaker to the next. As of today, the bare minimum, as offered by many brands, is 3 years or 60,000 miles of cover, whichever comes first. Although, we’re seeing more and more carmakers offer longer warranties, mostly as a selling point for would-be buyers.
For instance, Kia, Suzuki, and MG, who rank amongst the most popular marques in the UK, offer a 7-year warranty. Meanwhile, Toyota and its luxury division, Lexus, both now offer a pretty lengthy 10-year or 100,000-mile warranty, whichever comes first (extended year by year when serviced with the main dealer).
However, while this may seem impressive, looking further into the fine print reveals that consumers like you and me should ideally look past just the on-paper warranty details (i.e. how many years and miles it covers). In fact, to explain the Toyota warranty, by default, the new cars, only get a 3-year manufacturer warranty when they’re new.
This is then followed up by an additional 12 months or 10,000 miles of additional warranty cover, which is added with every qualifying service. This is Toyota’s way of making sure this long warranty cover only applies to folks who take good care of their cars. That additional coverage can then be added up to 10 years or 100,000 miles, in total.
In addition, Toyota, just like most carmakers, offers more specific warranties for particular aspects of your car. Once again, using Toyota as an example, here are the other types of warranty that they offer:
- Up to 16 years of warranty cover for hybrid batteries.
- 12 years and unlimited mileage warranty cover for anti-corrosion and rust perforation caused by manufacturing faults.
- 3 years and unlimited mileage warranty cover for surface rust on the bodywork and paintwork.
- 5 years or 60,000 miles (whichever comes first) of warranty cover for manufacturing faults with the Toyota Mirai’s hydrogen fuel cell.
Which Car Brands In The UK Offer The Longest Warranty?
Just to give you some ideas of how long new car warranties cover for here in the UK, I’ve put together a table that is correct at the time of publishing. Here’s our list of the new car warranty cover periods for the most popular brands here in the UK.
Remember, the list below is just to give a general idea of how long (in time and mileage) new car warranties cover for. But, they don’t detail what part of a car is covered, how comprehensive the cover is, as well as their specific terms and conditions. So, make sure you do some research beforehand. Still, I hope this list here helps with estimating whether your car is or isn’t still under warranty, here in the UK:
| Lexus | 10yrs/100,000 miles* |
| Toyota | 10yrs/100,000 miles* |
| Peugeot | 8yrs/100,000 miles* |
| SsangYong | 7yr/150,000 miles |
| Kia | 7yrs/100,000 miles |
| Suzuki | 7yr/100,000 miles |
| MG | 7yrs/80,000 miles |
| BYD | 6yrs/93,750 miles |
| Genesis | 5yrs/unlimited mileage |
| GWM ORA | 5yrs/unlimited mileage |
| Hyundai | 5yrs/unlimited mileage |
| Alfa Romeo | 5yrs/75,000 miles |
| Tesla | 4yrs/50,000 miles |
| BMW | 3yrs/unlimited mileage |
| Jaguar | 3yrs/unlimited mileage |
| Land Rover | 3yrs/unlimited mileage |
| Mercedes | 3yrs/unlimited mileage |
| Mini | 3yrs/unlimited mileage |
| Porsche | 3yrs/unlimited mileage |
| Smart | 3yrs/unlimited mileage |
| Fiat | 3yrs/100,000 miles |
| Honda | 3yrs/90,000 miles |
| Audi | 3yrs/60,000 miles |
| Citroen | 3yrs/60,000 miles |
| Cupra | 3yrs/60,000 miles |
| Dacia | 3yrs/60,000 miles |
| DS | 3yrs/60,000 miles |
| Ford | 3yrs/60,000 miles |
| Mazda | 3yrs/60,000 miles |
| Nissan | 3yrs/60,000 miles |
| Polestar | 3yrs/60,000 miles |
| Renault | 3yrs/60,000 miles |
| Seat | 3yrs/60,000 miles |
| Skoda | 3yrs/60,000 miles |
| Subaru | 3yrs/60,000 miles |
| Vauxhall | 3yrs/60,000 miles |
| Volkswagen | 3yrs/60,000 miles |
| Volvo | 3yrs/60,000 miles |
| Jeep | 3yrs/36,000 miles |
So, Where Can You Find & Purchase An Extended Warranty For Your Car?
Understandably, once your car’s manufacturer-backed warranty comes to an end, it’s normal to feel a tad vulnerable, knowing that unexpected repair costs might come back to bite! But, did you know that you can purchase third-party, extended warranty cover for your car? On top of that, finding great extended car warranty providers is super easy, too!
Among the top providers of aftermarket, extended car warranties here in the UK is Warrantywise. To give you a continued sense of peace of mind and financial security, Warrantywise offers a wide range of extended car warranty plans. Each plan is designed to suit a variety of different vehicle types, budgets, and cover requirements, so there will be a perfect plan for you!
All you need to do is head on over to Warrantywise’s website, input your car’s details, and explore all the warranty cover options that are available to you. Given that Warrantywise offers transparent pricing, flexible warranty terms, and clearly states which components of your car are covered, they make sure that you know what you’re getting.
Warrantywise also lets you customise and include add-ons, such as EV-specific cover or emissions systems failure, if you need the extra protection. Of course, they’re subject to your car’s age, mileage, and other specific terms and conditions. So, if your manufacturer’s warranty has run out and you need some extended warranty cover, check out Warrantywise!
