The most common motorcycle warranty claims in the UK

DOES YOUR DEALERSHIP SELL NEW OR USED MOTORBIKES? DISCOVER THE TOP BIKE BREAKDOWN CLAIMS FROM CUSTOMERS ACROSS THE UK…

Owning a motorbike can be an extremely fun and liberating experience. However, like with any vehicle, things can and do go wrong. When parts fail prematurely or issues come up that can't reasonably be attributed to wear and tear or rider error, UK motorbike owners have certain consumer rights that allow them to make warranty claims.

We share the most common motorcycle warranty claims – many of which we can pay out on with our class-leading motorbike warranty policies here at Warranty First:

MANUFACTURING DEFECTS

One of the top reasons motorbike owners file warranty claims relates to manufacturing defects. This refers to parts that display flaws, imperfections, or mistakes that occurred during production in the factory.

Some common motorcycle manufacturing defects include things like poorly moulded plastic components, leaky gaskets or seals, incorrect wiring, loose brackets or fittings, and improperly calibrated electronic control units (ECUs).

PREMATURE ENGINE OR TRANSMISSION FAILURES

Another prevalent motorbike warranty claim stems from premature failures of expensive powertrain components like engines and transmissions. These components obviously receive significant wear during use. However, modern engines and transmissions are generally expected to meet certain mileage or lifespan benchmarks when properly maintained.

So if an engine needs a top-end rebuild well before reaching expected major service intervals, or transmission gears become damaged or worn out prematurely, the warranty will typically cover at least a prorated portion of repair or replacement costs.

ELECTRICAL GREMLINS

The high number of electrical components and sophisticated ECU systems in place on most modern motorcycles also make them susceptible to electrical faults.

Problems like shorted wiring harnesses, glitchy onboard computers, non-working instrument clusters, malfunctioning fuel pumps or ignition coils, and charging system issues all fall under electrical warranty claims when they happen prematurely or without reasonable cause.

As the complexity of motorbike electrical systems increases with time, electrical gremlins also remain at the top of warranty complaints for UK bike owners.

ADDITIONAL HIGH-COST REPAIRS

Beyond relatively straightforward manufacturing defects or premature failures of key components, motorbike owners also rely heavily on warranties for certain expensive repairs, such as:

Replacing a broken crankcase on a liquid-cooled motorcycle can cost upwards of £1,000 – well outside most owners' budgets. Many bikes provide 3+ year warranties on crankcase cracks or similar structural failures.

ABS control unit or wheel speed sensor replacements often cost £500 or more. These components are usually covered for 1-3 years under standard or extended bike warranties.

Repairing or replacing sophisticated electronic ride control systems (for stability, traction, suspension adjustment, etc) often hits four figures, making extended warranties vital.

WHAT WARRANTY LENGTHS ARE TYPICAL FOR MOTORBIKE OWNERS?

The majority of modern motorbikes sold in the UK provide a standard 12-month manufacturer's warranty covering parts, components, materials, and build quality defects. Premium European brands frequently offer 24 months of coverage for extra peace of mind.

For buyers looking for long-term protection against expensive failures, purchasing an extended third-party warranty for 2, 3, or even 5 years represents an important investment.

While adding to the initial purchase price, extended warranties help avoid potentially shocking repair bills down the road on costly components like engines or electronics. Why not speak to us about our motorbike warranty policies so your customers can keep cruising for many more years to come.

EXTENDED MOTORBIKE WARRANTY WITH WARRANTY FIRST

Do you sell used motorbikes? If so, you should be offering an extended warranty package your dealership can be proud of – that’s where we come in. Our experienced team does all the hard work for you so you can get on with what you do best – selling!

When your customers choose a Warranty First package, making a claim couldn't be easier. All they need to do is give us all the information we need to get started on processing their claim online, over the phone, or in an email, so that we can get things moving.

Once we have confirmed whether the fault will be considered, we'll ask them to visit any VAT-registered garage to diagnose the issue and provide an estimate for the repairs. Providing that we're happy with the estimate, we'll approve the repair and cover them for the cost, as per the terms of their motorbike warranty plan. Then all that’s left to do is get back on the road!

We’re here to give bike owners the extra confidence they need if their bike develops an issue. Like the sound of what we do? Get in touch with us by calling 01733 830278 and let’s chat about working together.