I can't see that it would cost that much to give the extra two years warranty given that you're far more likely to have dealer servicing for the extra two years and in doing so keep you tied in to the brand. As it happens the extra two years Ford warranty isn't at all expensive (ditto their prepaid servicing plan). So much so that it was inferred recently, when I made a sales enquiry locally, that the inclusion of the warranty and servicing plan could readily be part of the haggling process during a new car purchase.

The Nissan arrangements are far more expensive which is a shame as I'd look at a QQ if Nissan showed good faith in their product and warranted it for longer..

Agreed five years warranty - thus expressing confidence in their products - would incline me towards a manufacturer. It's the expression of confidence as much as the expense that would impress me......providing the warranty was comprehensive enough to make it worth the paper it was written on - and providing the manufacturer didn't wriggle out of claims at every turn.

RT may wish to change frequently and not feel that he is subsizing the longer term user whereas I don't wish to subsidize short term users. The cost of changing within three years versus keeping it for, say, five years may be debatable but the way I see it is if manufacturers as diverse as Hyundai, Kia, Vauxhall, Subaru, Chevrolet, Toyota can manage to stay in business with a 5 yr warranty, then I feel inclined to give them my support. Honda currently do a five year warranty, servicing and breakdown package for a very reasonable five or six hundred pounds, effectively giving a free 5 yr warranty...why can't the others?

Edited by KB. on 02/02/2014 at 21:21

Car manufacturers just aren't interested in the used market, they're only interested commercially with the initial buyer who typically only keeps the car 3 years.

Any extension to the warranty has a cost - why put the price up for the initial buyer who won't keep the car any longer - indeed car manufacturers want everyone to change their cars as often as possible.

Hyundai have a 5 year warranty and they are not really cars that are expensive to start with it.

If Ford offerered a 5 year warranty and like the existing warranty it is 1 year manufacturer and the remainder dealer it would be a waste of time and a total con. Ever owned one, after year one trim is excluded but Ford clasify most components as trim. Even the handbrake mechanism is classifiedd as trim and the seat tilting mechanism on a 3 door is trim, its clear to me that these 2 are clearly not trim but Ford insist they are.

I doubt many people claim on their toyota or Subaru 5 year warrentys. So it costs them very little to offer them. There are quite a few other manufacturers who wouldnt be such a good position!

I think this is what perplexes some of us, what you state is blindingly obvious but seemingly not to all...if a maker of good advertising repute won't warrant their cars for as long as some others (who have honourably aired their problems/failings and always stand by their product), then surely even the most obtuse car buyer should be able to see the writing writ large upon the wall.

For many (most?) of the 3 year warranty makers customers they're not in the least bothered about any longer than 3 as they will renew or get a new company car issued, if it fails miserably in service they get something different to play with for a few days and seem to almost enjoy the situation sometimes (read here often enough), after 3 years nobody, manufacturer included, is remotely interested.

Why 3 year old car buyers risk things like DSG, ESG etc or actively seek out cars with inferior warranties (and by association inferior products) is beyond me.

KB, you are right, DSGs are not related to diesels, and can be financially cripling. And i am sure these are a few other parts that can cost BIG money, but my point is, if you stick to good manufacurers, and simple products you are far less likely to need a warrenty. However most of the real horror stories you read or hear about are from modern diesels.

I doubt many people claim on their toyota or Subaru 5 year warrentys. So it costs them very little to offer them. There are quite a few other manufacturers who wouldnt be such a good position!

Have you ever tried claiming on a toyota warranty! They're as useless as any third party warranty. They try to charge you for 'diagnostic' work before agreeing to anything. After 3 months of them faffing about with my car I gave up, I'll be taking it to an independent and just paying them to fix it.