Warranty or a holiday?

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Mon 25 Nov 2002 15:42
Warranty or a holiday? - oldtoffee
My Passat TDi exits VW's warranty in February 2003 so I'm wondering if I should shell out for another 2 or 3 years for an independent warranty. 3 years is £700 which goes a long way towards a holiday or covers quite a few repairs. The car's done 53K and runs like a dream (albeit a slightly PD noisy one!). I've had the oil changed every 5K. Am I likely to get some heavy-ish bills in the next 50K and if so can anyone recommend a decent warranty firm? Or should I chance it, keep it properly serviced and trust in VW's outstanding reliability and book my place in the sun?
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Mon 25 Nov 2002 17:18
Warranty or a holiday? - T Lucas
Holiday everytime,stuff the warranty.
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Mon 25 Nov 2002 18:54
Warranty or a holiday? - Cyd
£700 buys a good European ski holiday. Kitzbuhl is beautiful near Xmas.
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Mon 25 Nov 2002 19:16
Warranty or a holiday? - Ian Cook
I've no experience of VW's "oustanding reliability" but I've never been impressed by so-called warranties. They are, in fact, insurance policies.

As regards this sort of breakdown insurance, I've always insured myself. By this I mean that I would put the £700 in the building society and draw on it if I need it. Provided that you have the car properly (and regularly) serviced, and pay attention to the cam belt and cooling system then you should be OK.

53K is nothing to a diesel, but the VW will need its injectors changed at about 80K - and that will be classed as wear and tear, not breakdown or failure. Likewise if you're unlucky with a clutch, I'll bet they class that as wear and tear too.

You're probably looking at the risk associated with things like radiators (covered?), water pumps, alternators, starter motors, and aircon - and, perhaps, something really unlucky, such as a head gasket.

It's your call, but I know what I'd do - and why.

Ian Cook
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Mon 25 Nov 2002 20:23
Warranty or a holiday? - andymc {P}
I topped up the warranty on my imported Seat Leon TDi by two years, which cost me around £230 with Warranty Direct, so I'm surprised that you're being quoted as much as £700 for a Passat, even if it is a PD. At this stage in the car's life, I think Ian's suggestion is probably better - just keep the £700 in the building society.
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Mon 25 Nov 2002 20:49
Warranty or a holiday? - Dizzy {P}
No contest!!

The money is going to pay for a holiday anyway. The question is, will it be yours or the warranty provider's?

Seriously, any built-in weakness with the car should have shown up by now. If you have looked after the car (and it sounds as though you have) and you continue to do so, the chances are you won't face any expensive problems.
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Tue 3 Dec 2002 12:10
Warranty or a holiday? - oldtoffee
Thanks everyone, holiday it is!
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