2023 Author: Eric Donovan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-05-21 15:44
Customers should take a close look at the manufacturer's guarantee promises. Because often many restrictions are hidden in the small print.
The guarantee promises made by automobile manufacturers are getting longer and longer. But guarantees often don't cover the entire vehicle and customers are well advised to read the fine print. For example, Kia advertises with a seven-year guarantee for the Ceed, Toyota promises eight years for the Prius. But on closer inspection, the attentive buyer notices that Kia's liability only applies to the drive train, and Toyota only applies to hybrid technology.
Opel notable exception
A comparative test by “Auto Bild” showed that many German manufacturers in particular are stingy with the guarantees. There is only a two-year vehicle warranty for a new Audi A4 and all Ford models. Mercedes, Porsche and Volkswagen are only offering two years. For a BMW, the customer only receives the legally required two-year warranty.
Not so with competitor Opel: The Rüsselsheim-based company, like Dodge, Chrysler and Jeep, offers a six-year vehicle guarantee for all new vehicles. For the new Opel Insignia, there is even a free extension of four years, so that the middle class extends it to a total of ten years. At Audi, a warranty extension of one year would already cost at least 255 euros. (mid)
