Where to buy a used car warranty

By Chad Lückhoff

Once we've parted with our savings, or even if we're parting with a substantial amount from our salary every month, we want to make sure that our car, our investment, is looked after. There isn't a more frustrating and heartbreaking sensation than when something on your pride and joy breaks, leaving you stranded and unable to get to where you need to be.

It's tough to predict when and where this will happen, but cars are complicated machines with thousands of moving parts. They will break, sooner or later. Being cautious when you choose a used car is important and we've given you some steps to follow to ensure that you minimize the risk of ending up with a lemon. In the event that your used car does break, wouldn't it be nice to know that some of the financial burden is taken care of?

Used vehicle warranties can provide some peace of mind for this eventuality, ensuring that you are not left with a nasty bill for a repair to your baby. There are, however, a few things to keep in mind before taking a look at additional coverage.

You will need to ensure that your car is in a roadworthy condition and that you have a certificate of roadworthiness available. Many of the after market warranty providers will request that you present one of these before they will cover you.

Your car will, ideally, need a franchise service history that is up to date and in good standing. You will also not be able to get a warranty on a vehicle that is a Code 3 (stolen / recovered or rebuilt) or on one that has been modified (even insurance for modified cars is difficult). The warranty may require that the vehicle is comprehensively insured as well. Note that the warranty will require you to maintain your vehicle in accordance with the service schedule of your car, meaning that you will have to have your vehicle serviced (at your cost) at the stipulated mileage intervals or annually, whichever applies first.

Warranties are not maintenance or service plans either, warranties will only cover breakage of items provided that it is not from abuse or accident damage. They will also not cover wear-and-tear items such as brakes and tyres. The warranty may cover “fair wear-and-tear” which will cover items like the water pump that has a lifespan.

Aftermarket warranties will only cover a certain amount of the cost, ie: R6000 cover for the engine, R2000 cover for the gearbox. It is worth reading the terms and conditions thoroughly before committing to a monthly payment for your used car warranty.

It's worth noting that many of the companies that offer insurance will be able to provide you with a warranty for your used car. This could work in your favour, as your current insurer may offer you a better rate than that from one of their competitors.

Here are some of the companies that we found that will offer a warranty on a used car:

Motorite

Unity

Budget Insurance

AutoZone

DialDirect

1^st for Woman

Auto & General

Standard Bank