I don't remember where, or exactly what was meant, but i have read that the Hyundai's 5 year warranty was 'more comprehensive' than Kia's 7 year one. Also, my Mother in law recently bought a Hyundai i10 over a Kia Picanto, and while it wasn't a deciding factor, the Hyundai salesman told her the Hyundai warranty was better (not that i would place an awful lot of faith in that, he was after a sale, so he would say that!).

It is a source of some bafflement to me though!. They are effectively the same company, whose cars share platforms, engines, gearboxes and most other mechanical components, so why have different warranties?.

It’s a full manufacturer backed warranty, as good as it gets. But it has to have a full Kia main dealer service history to remain useable.

That is not true. Kia cannot refuse to repair if its been serviced as per the manufacturers schedule using genuine parts. Because of the length of the warranty Kia quite sensibly state in the warranty T & C's that all receipts and proof of service work carried out are retained as in case of a warranty claim.

No proof, no cover and who can blame them. It also applies if a Kia dealer has carried out the work.

But if you had the proof and they refused to honour the warranty they would loose in court.

both have similar wear/tear exclusions

Which are no different to any other manufacturers exclusions.

Here is a link to the T & C's www.kia.com/uk/kia-promise-terms-and-conditions/

The last time I spoke to A Kia dealer was 6 or 7 years ago and was slightly taken aback at the prices quoted for servicing, a good bit higher than my VAG car. I ended up buying the VAG car but took out the extra year 4 and 5 warranty at cost of under £500 because it was not much dearer than the Kia service costs. Are they still expensive to service?

Because I can't take my car to my main dealer Arnold Clark for fear they will apply the emissions update I had its big service at a local garage. The mechanic had worked for VW for 20 years and our conversation gave me confidence. He showed me his store room and it was filled with VW boxes and a shelf full of Quantum oil, VW,s own brand. The major service was £100 less than Main dealers and its also nice to speak to the actual person who is working on your car, so I will happily go back.

Either that KIA delaership's servicing was VERY expensive or your VW indie was dirt cheap, given it was £100 less on the major service and that was much cheaper than the KIA main service.

Bear in mind that some makes/main dealerships often quote a two year minor-major service cycle, which omits certain maintenance items included in a manufacturer's 5 or 6 year maintenance cycle. Many often offer such lower-spec servicing to people with cars over 4 years old or out of warranty to keep them onboard, because the standard 4th, 5th and 6th year services cost a LOT.

The same goes for many indies as well, though I'm sure a good number still adhere to the manufacturers 5-6 year service cycle, but charge less because they don't have to pay for the air-conditioned glass palace that is the sales dept. Trying to source a good indie can be very tricky at times - hopefully you've been lucky to do so.

In th apst, KIAs/Hyundais were expensive to maintain because all their parts had to be shipped from South Korea and in smallish quantities, though with them having a European factory and much larger sales, I suspect such costs are now reducing. Not much of a problem as long as the prove more reliable than competitors.

not much dearer than the Kia service costs. Are they still expensive to service?

I have had my Ceed serviced at the dealer for quite a few years and the servicing costs while not cheap are not what I would consider excessive; the cost of the service seems to alternate between a cheaper one at 180 pounds and a more expensive one at 250 pounds or so. The costs haven't been that different from the SEAT and Skoda I had previously.

I have had bits done under warranty for the Ceed; nothing major (doors would sometimes not unlock when the key was removed, and a dodgy rear door lock), but it was refreshing that everything was done without quibble. I found a bit of rust on the top of the rear doors, and that too was done without fuss.

We did find the Hyundai servicing for the i20 rather high for such a small car, in many cases they were more costly than the larger Ceed!

For the Picanto we have taken out a fixed price service plan with KIA which we think is excellent value for money if you don't plan to change cars.