DABAS blog post – first published – 30^thApril 2018

*updated periodically to reflect the current market in 2019

What’s the warranty policy on my brand-new car ?

You may ask

With seemingly ever changing different warranty time-length periods plus varying kilometres-driven coverage for today’s modern cars on our roads, it can become a maze at final purchase decision time: DABAS can help you make your final decision and help you find your way out of this confusion.

When buying a brand-new car this question – as highlighted above – DABAS suggests you do take into major consideration, especially if you like two separate selected manufacturer’s brand models equally, being torn or “sitting-on-the-fence” with your final purchase decision. In light of this, DABAS has done some general research on your behalf: compiling a general information list of popular automotive brands, warranties offered on their brand-new cars which may be of help to you in making your final personal car-buying decision.

With a brand-new car a warranty is provided; different manufacturers offer different terms, and time-frame lengths do apply – generally ranging from 3 to 5 or 7 years with some even offering as standard 7 years and unlimited kilometres to ensure that you have more peace of mind.

In today’s competitive ever-changing car markets, brand segments with platform-sharing-twin-skinned by different manufacturers’ brands and badges, being aware of the warranties offered can give you a chance to have up to two more years of manufacturer’s new-car warranty available on essentially the same car: hence assisting a compelling argument on which *same-platform-twin-skinned car to purchase. Please find below some general-in-nature comments on warranty lengths offered from some car brands available in Australia; please be aware that in today’s competitive car-sales environment  manufacturers may at times offer extended warranty periods as **special limited time offers on selected models /or across their range. DABAS can explain the* platform-sharing-twin-skinned-car-models plus **warranty length special offers in more detail at our personal face-to-face meeting when your new-car buying journey with DABAS begins.

Please note:  information mentioned in this blog post is to be considered as a very general-in-nature summary; all information mentioned in this blog page may be outdated or superseded by your time of reading this blog page, all information will be negotiated and confirmed at the time of you updating into your brand-new car together with your chosen new vehicle’s sales representative in their showroom at the time you transition to becoming a client of DABAS.

DABAS is aware of some things to consider and to be aware of when updating, trading in or privately selling your old car, including the special trade-in incentives offered on drive-away-no-more-to-pay deals obtainable – at times – within leading brands’ Melbourne brand-new car dealerships.

These will be discussed upon your transition to becoming a client of DABAS.

Now, lets us have a general look at the brand-new car warranties being offered by the different mainstream manufacturer’s,

Here we go 

KIA – 7 years, unlimited km

Kia’s warranty also comes with free roadside assist for 12 months, but this can be extended to the full seven years if you get the vehicle serviced at an authorised Kia dealer. It also offers seven years capped servicing, which is subject to conditions depending on certain models or types of engines. Kia moved to standard inclusion of a seven-year warranty on all brand-new vehicles bought as of October 2014. Please see the brands website for further full details of warranty inclusions, terms and conditions including extended term special offers available during sales promotions.

HYUNDAI – 5 years, unlimited km

Hyundai’s five-year/unlimited kilometre warranty extends to all its vehicles for private use. Paintwork is only covered for 12 months if there’s an application issue or three years for durability. Hyundai was the first that moved to standard inclusion of a five-year warranty on all brand-new vehicles bought as of 1999. Hyundai was the first car brand in Australia with five-year warranty coverage across the range, “introduced in 1999!”  # And worth noting for future reference is that in August 2018, Hyundai Australia executives told media outlets the company was considering increasing its warranty coverage from five years, in response to other brands eroding what was once a marketing advantage.  Please see the brands website for further full details of warranty inclusions, terms and conditions including extended term special offers available during sales promotions.

 

HONDA – 5 years, unlimited km

(limited offer at times of 7 years)

Honda offers a generous five-year/unlimited kilometre warranty. At times Honda does offer seven year warranties on selected cars in their range. Honda moved to standard inclusion of a five-year warranty on all brand-new vehicles bought as of July 2017. Please see the brands website for further full details of warranty inclusions, terms and conditions including extended term special offers available during sales promotions.

 

HAVAL – 5 years/100,000km

A five-year warranty is offered by the fledgling Chinese SUV maker. The warranty comes with complimentary nationwide roadside assist and fixed price servicing. ( 2019 recently updated to seven-years unlimited kms) Please see the brands website for further full details of warranty inclusions, terms and conditions including extended term special offers available during sales promotions.

HOLDEN –  now 5 years and up to 7 years/175,000km

(Limited time offers sometimes available on selected models- unless the offer is extended)

Holden warranty in early 2017 was mostly the normal three year/100,000km warranty for new cars. With the Holden restructure and Holden ceasing Australian manufacturing in late 2017, there have been some new warranty lengths offered by Holden on selected models to increase sales: with some models now having five- to seven-year warranties offered, once again recently updated to 5 years in 2018, DABAS will confirm the warranty offered on your selected Holden at our first test drive of your selected Holden – with you. Holden moved to standard inclusion of a five-year warranty on all brand-new vehicles bought as of July 2018. Please see the brands website for further full details of warranty inclusions, terms and conditions including extended term special offers available during sales promotions.

MITSUBISHI – 5 years/100,000km

Mitsubishi’s five-year warranty also covers corrosion and the main powertrain batteries in its hybrid vehicles. Mitsubishi also offers a 12-month/20,000km warranty period for components more subject to wear and tear such as fuel injectors, brake linings, wipers and seat covers. Mitsubishi moved to standard inclusion of a five-year warranty on all brand-new vehicles bought as of December 2004. Please see the brands website for further full details of warranty inclusions, terms and conditions including extended term special offers available during sales promotions.

TOYOTA-3 years/100,000km (prior to 1/1/2019)

Toyota Australia’s new car warranty prior to January the 1st 2019 a  three-year / 100,000km. Toyota’s new Vehicle Warranty expires 3 years from date of first delivery or 100,000 kms, whichever occurs first. Toyota moved to standard inclusion of a five-year warranty on all brand-new vehicles bought as of January 2019. Please see the brands website for further full details of warranty inclusions, terms and conditions including extended term special offers available during sales promotions.

FORD-3 years/100,000 km *with cars delivered up till 1st May 2018

*In May 2018 Ford Updated to 5-years unlimited km

After this date the 1st May 2018 Ford introduced a 5-year unlimited  km warranty across their range on all brand-new vehicles delivered. Ford moved to standard inclusion of a five-year warranty on all brand-new vehicles bought as of May 2018. Please see the brands website for further full details of warranty inclusions, terms and conditions including extended term special offers available during sales promotions.

NISSAN– was 3 years/100,000km (*up until the first of April 2019)

Previously every Nissan bought in 2018-early 2019 was backed by a 36-month or 100,000km New Vehicle Warranty (whichever comes first), which covers the vehicle from the time it is first registered or put into service (whichever occurs first). Please see the brands website for further full details of warranty inclusions, terms and conditions including extended term special offers available during sales promotions.

*NOW after the 1st of April 2019:

Note; As of 1/04/19 Nissan vehicle’s have a new warranty period;  The standard period for the Nissan New Vehicle Warranty for vehicles sold from the 1st of April 2019 is 5 years and Unlimited kilometres unless the vehicle is used as a commercial vehicle for purposes which include rental cars, hire and taxi, rideshare, delivery or courier vehicle, in which case the warranty period is 5 years or 200,000 kilometres, whichever comes first. EV vehicles with a Lithium-Ion Battery Pack sold from the 1st of April 2019 come with a Nissan LEAF Lithium-Ion battery State of Health guarantee. The Nissan LEAF Lithium-Ion battery State of Health guarantee protects against battery capacity loss (less than 9 bars out of 12) as shown on the in-vehicle capacity gauge for a period of 8 years or 200,000 kilometres, whichever comes first. The Nissan warranty commences from the time the vehicle is first registered or put into service (whichever occurs first).

VOLKSWAGEN– was 3 years/unlimited km

( now updated to 5 years from December 2018)

Prior to December 2018 the New Vehicle Warranty was for 3 years/unlimited kilometres.

The Paint Warranty is for 3 years/unlimited kilometres. Warranty for Volkswagen Genuine Parts and Accessories fitted on the vehicle at time of delivery is 3 years /unlimited kilometres. Warranty for Volkswagen Genuine Parts and Accessories fitted after delivery of a new Volkswagen vehicle is 2 years/ unlimited kilometres warranty from the date of installation. Volkswagen moved to standard inclusion of a five-year warranty on brand-new vehicles bought as of December 2018. Please see the brands website for further full details of warranty inclusions, terms and conditions including extended term special offers available during sales promotions

SKODA – 5 years, unlimited km

This Czech brand has one up on its Volkswagen Group “close relative” by offering a five-year warranty, which includes free roadside assistance for the first 12 months. Skoda moved to standard inclusion of a five-year warranty on all brand-new vehicles bought as of January 2017. Please see the brands website for further full details of warranty inclusions, terms and conditions including extended term special offers available during sales promotions.

Mazda cars delivered prior to 1/08/2018 – were three-years/unlimited km

(now in 2019 its five-years)

## For Mazda vehicles purchased on or after 1st August 2018, it is now 5 years and unlimited kilometres; for more information on the new 2018 Mazda 5-year warranty go to the Mazda Australian website link below ##

https://www.mazda.com.au/owners/warranty/new-vehicle-warranty-terms-and-conditions/

(#Before the 1st of August 2018), If you bought a new Mazda passenger vehicle, you’ll be backed by a 3-year, unlimited kilometre warranty that covers any defect in material or workmanship in both parts and panels. If you were wanting to be the proud owner of a Mazda BT-50, you’ll be covered by a 2 year unlimited-kilometre warranty (or up to 3 years limited to 100,000km if you don’t reach 100,000km in the first 2 years). Mazda moved to standard inclusion of a five-year warranty on all brand-new vehicles bought as of August 2018. Please see the brands website link above for further full details of warranty inclusions, terms and conditions including extended term special offers available during sales promotions.

SUBARU– was *3 years/unlimited km

(*up until January 2019, now it is 5 years after this date)

Prior to January 2019 – Whether you’re planning on going off the beaten track or driving the open highway, you have peace of mind knowing that your Subaru is covered by a 3 Years/Unlimited Kilometres warranty. Subaru moved to standard inclusion of a five-year warranty on all brand-new vehicles bought as of January 2019. Please see the brands website for further full details of warranty inclusions, terms and conditions including extended term special offers available during sales promotions.

SUZUKI– was 3 years/100,000km

(prior to 2018, now its 5-years in 2019)

Prior to 2018 every new Suzuki came with a 3-year or 100,000 km warranty (whichever comes first) as standard. With an owner transferable warranty on all Suzuki vehicles, you have full peace of mind when it comes to buying a used Suzuki. Suzuki Australia Pty Limited warrants that your new Suzuki vehicle has been produced in accordance with the manufacturer’s highest standards and has been inspected before delivery to you. They therefore assure you that in the unlikely event of any part of the vehicle becoming defective due to faulty materials or manufacturing within the Warranty period, the part will be repaired or replaced by a Suzuki Dealer/Authorised Repairer with no charge for parts and/or labour. The Warranty period extends for a period of 36 months or 100,000 km, whichever occurs first, from the date the vehicle is first put into service or is first registered, whichever is the earliest. Suzuki moved to standard inclusion of a five-year warranty in 2018. Please see the brands website for further full details of warranty inclusions, terms and conditions including extended term special offers available during sales promotions.

MG – 6 years, unlimited km

Re-launching recently in Australia, the now Chinese-owned iconic British marque is hoping to repeat the success of Korean brands Kia and Hyundai in changing public perceptions by offering the third-longest warranty term in Australia, which comes with complimentary roadside assistance and capped price servicing. Please see the brands website for further full details of warranty inclusions, terms and conditions including extended term special offers available during sales promotions.

 

RENAULT – 5 years, unlimited km

Renault offers five years and unlimited kilometre limit on all its passenger cars and SUVs, whilst its Kangoo, Trafic and Master vans are covered for only three years or 200,000km. Renault moved to standard inclusion of a five-year warranty (not on sports-models or vans) on brand-new vehicles bought as of April 2011. Please see the brands website for further full details of warranty inclusions, terms and conditions including extended term special offers available during sales promotions.

 

ISUZU – 5 years/130,000km

A reason the MU-X Ute based SUV is proving popular is Isuzu’s five-year warranty offered with a reasonably generous kilometre limit. The warranty includes five years roadside assistance and fixed price servicing, including a free, three month/3000km initial service. Isuzu moved to standard inclusion of a five-year warranty on all brand-new vehicles bought as of January 2013. Please see the brands website for further full details of warranty inclusions, terms and conditions including extended term special offers available during sales promotions.

 

JEEP – 5 years/100,000km

As well as the five year ‘There and Back’ warranty and fixed-price servicing, Jeep offer lifetime roadside assist which is dependent on you having your vehicle serviced through authorised dealers. Jeep moved to standard inclusion of a five-year warranty on all brand-new vehicles bought as of February 2017. Please see the brands website for further full details of warranty inclusions, terms and conditions including extended term special offers available during sales promotions.

 

INFINITI – 4 years/100,000km

Nissan’s luxury sub-brand is one of the few luxury carmakers to offer more than three years. The 100,000km limit is pretty generous for four years. Infiniti’s warranty includes full coverage for any paint defects and body perforation by corrosion for the entire four years. Infiniti also offers free roadside assist through the term of the warranty. Please see the brands website for further full details of warranty inclusions, terms and conditions including extended term special offers available during sales promotions.

 

LEXUS – 4 years/100,000km

It makes sense that one of Infiniti’s closest rivals is offering the same warranty. Service your new Lexus at a Lexus dealer and you’ll get a loan car and complimentary car wash and vacuum during the life of the warranty. Please see the brands website for further full details of warranty inclusions, terms and conditions including extended term special offers available during sales promotions

 

PEUGEOT – 5 years/unlimited km

Peugeot announced a competitive five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty across its range.  This represents an extended coverage, lifted from previously three-years/100,000km; this will also apply to all model-year 2018 cars already sold in Australia. Peugeot moved to standard inclusion (except vans) of a five-year warranty on all brand-new vehicles bought as of February 2018.  Please see the brands website for further full details of warranty inclusions, terms and conditions including extended term special offers available during sales promotions.

 

CITROËN – 5years/unlimited km

Citroën Australia has introduced a five-year, unlimited kilometre warranty with five-year roadside assist for all Citroën passenger cars. Citroen moved to standard inclusion (except vans) of a five-year warranty on all brand-new vehicles bought as of February 2018.  Please see the brands website for further full details of warranty inclusions, terms and conditions including extended term special offers available during sales promotions.

Honda – 5-years

Honda moved to standard inclusion of a five-year warranty on all brand-new vehicles bought as of July 2017.

Please see the brands website for further full details of warranty inclusions, terms and conditions including extended term special offers available during sales promotions.

Ssangyong –  5-years

Ssangyong moved to standard inclusion from a five to a seven-year warranty on all brand-new vehicles bought as of September 2018. Please see the brands website for further full details of warranty inclusions, terms and conditions including extended term special offers available during sales promotions.

 

At DABAS we know that buying a car to suit your needs can be one of the biggest purchases in your life; we hope this page has provided some helpful assistance for you in deciding the path of your car-buying journey. We look forward to having a chat when the need arises for you to update your car; to assess your personal car-safety requirements and buying needs to suit your lifestyle.  And importantly your set specified budget! Whatever roads your life journey takes you on, DABAS can help you find a car to travel those roads. When it comes time to update your car DABAS is aware of some things to consider within model ranges, plus more of the opposition comparisons, and also things to keep in mind – including when you are trading in your old car at a LMCT used-car yard – and the special trade-in incentives offered on drive-away-no-more-to-pay deals obtainable – at times – within leading brands’ Melbourne LMCT used-car dealerships.

These will be discussed upon your transition to becoming a client of DABAS.

To contact DABAS to discuss your car-buying needs, please click here

To see a self-evaluating check list – is it time to update your car,  please click here

To see some interesting things to consider when buying a car, please click here

To see 3 things to consider when moving on from your old car,  please click here

For a step-by-step example of a DABAS car-buying journey, please click here

For an interesting DABAS blog on car safety features, please click here.

For “many more” car comparisons and past blog topics, see our archived index here

To read about our service fees,  please click here

If you would like to buy from an LMCT car-yard, instead of the car auctions: please click here

Thanks for visiting DABAS’s website and blog: Have a great day, Cheers, Tim.

 Please note; information mentioned on this page is to be considered as a general-in-nature summary; all information and advice mentioned may be outdated or superseded by the time of your reading of this page; all information will be confirmed at the time of your transition to becoming a client of DABAS.