The Top 5 Car and Van Extended Warranty Repairs

KEEP YOUR CUSTOMERS IN THE KNOW: DISCOVER THE MOST CLAIMED FOR EXTENDED WARRANTY REPAIRS AND HOW MUCH THEY COST

Working within the automotive industry, you’ll know that owning any car or van comes with the inevitable responsibility (and stress) of maintenance and repairs — especially when you buy from the second-hand market. It’s important to communicate with your customers that as a vehicle gets older and accumulates more miles, its components will gradually wear and eventually give way.

Sharing this information is an ideal way of upselling an extended warranty to customers who have purchased a vehicle from your dealership – it can provide great peace of mind by helping cover the costs of major repairs after the manufacturer's warranty expires. From data collected here at Warranty First HQ, we share the most common extended warranty repairs and how much they cost, as claimed by OUR customers.

Without further ado, here are the top 5 car and van extended warranty repairs:

1. TURBO

In recent years, the turbo, also known as a ‘turbocharger,’ has become an increasingly popular addition to modern vehicles. It increases the power and efficiency of a vehicle's engine by forcing more air into the combustion chamber.

Its intricate design and high-speed operation, however, make it prone to failure due to wear and tear, oil leaks, or overheating. For drivers, this can result in a noticeable loss of power and efficiency making it the single most common component we’ve had to waive the cost of repair for under our extended warranty covers.

Turbochargers aren’t cheap either, with the average cost of repair or replacement coming in at a whopping £750 — not the kind of cost you’d like to face midweek.

2. WATER PUMP

The second most common component in cars and vans that our customers have claimed for is the water pump. The water pump is an essential component of the cooling system in your vehicle. Its role is to circulate coolant between the engine and radiator, helping to regulate the temperature of an engine.

However, its constant operation and exposure to coolant make it susceptible to failure from issues such as corrosion, leakage, or blockage. On the road, this translates to overheating or engine failure, and from our records, on average, requires a £350 investment to get repaired or replaced.

3. THERMOSTAT

The thermostat is a device that controls the flow of coolant between the engine and the radiator. Without it, an engine wouldn’t be able to regulate its temperature properly which could lead to overheating or underheating.

As its place in the top 5 most common extended warranty repairs suggests, it is vulnerable to both mechanical and electrical failure. As a result, drivers often need to fork out around £175 for a new thermostat.

4. TIMING CHAIN

As the second most expensive warranty repair on our list, a timing chain repair can cost upwards of £500. The metal chain, that connects the crankshaft and camshaft in a vehicle's engine, is responsible for making sure the valves open and close at the right time for the engine to work well.

But in time, the timing chain can get worn or stretched causing engine problems; drivers might hear a rattling noise, see the ‘check engine light,’ or feel the engine misfire. Without action, a vehicle could end up with a broken engine and an even larger repair bill.

This is an issue that most commonly occurs in high-mileage vehicles, which will be well beyond their manufacturer's warranty cover — a potential reason why the repair falls into the laps of extended warranty providers like us.

5. STARTER MOTOR

As its name suggests, the starter motor has the sole responsibility of starting a car or van's engine. It works by using the electrical power from a vehicle battery to turn over the engine to start it. With a faulty starter motor (you guessed it) a car or van won’t be going very far.

Some of the reasons why a starter motor stops functioning could be from damaged wiring, rust buildup, or overheating just to name a few. To get it repaired or replaced, owners are looking at a possible bill of £250 according to the warranty claims we’ve fulfilled.

Extended warranty packages for cars, vans, and motorbikes – including electric vehicles

Here at Warranty First, we’re trusted by dealerships up and down the country as their chosen warranty partner. We provide comprehensive warranty plans and offer a range of packages at different price points to suit all kinds of customers.

Don’t miss out on the income extended warranties could be making for your business! Get in touch with us today to find out more by calling us on 01733 830278, or visit our website www.warrantyfirst.co.uk for more information.