Top 5 car and van extended warranty repairs

Owning any car or van comes with the inevitable responsibility (and stress) of maintenance and repairs — especially when you buy from the second-hand market. As your vehicle ages and accumulates more miles, its components will gradually wear and eventually give way. 

However, an extended warranty for your vehicle can provide great peace of mind in these instances, by helping cover the costs of major repairs after the manufacturer's warranty expires. From data collected here at Warranty First HQ, we’ll share the most common extended warranty repairs and how much they cost, as claimed for by our customers. 

What is an extended warranty? 

Simply put, an extended warranty is a type of protection plan for your vehicle that covers the repair or replacement of certain parts after the manufacturer’s warranty expires. It works by offering you financial protection from unexpected mechanical or electrical breakdowns, and in the long run, it can save you money and hassle. 

The top 5 car and van extended warranty repairs 

1. Turbo 

In recent years, the turbo, also known as a ‘turbocharger,’ has become an increasingly popular addition to modern vehicles. It increases the power and efficiency of your vehicle's engine by forcing more air into the combustion chamber.

Its intricate design and high-speed operation, however, make it prone to failure due to wear and tear, oil leaks, or overheating. For drivers, this can result in a noticeable loss of power and efficiency making it the single most common component we’ve had to waive the cost of repair for under our extended warranty covers.

Turbochargers aren’t cheap either, with the average cost of repair or replacement coming in at a whopping £750 — not the kind of cost you’d like to face midweek. 

2. Water pump 

The second most common component in cars and vans that our customers have claimed for is the water pump. The water pump is an essential component of the cooling system in your vehicle. Its role is to circulate coolant between the engine and radiator, helping to regulate the temperature of your engine. 

However, its constant operation and exposure to coolant make it susceptible to failure from issues such as corrosion, leakage, or blockage. On the road, this translates to overheating or engine failure, and from our records, on average, requires a £350 investment to get repaired or replaced. 

3. Thermostat 

The thermostat is a device that controls the flow of coolant between the engine and the radiator. Without it, your engine wouldn’t be able to regulate its temperature properly which could lead to overheating or underheating. 

As its place in the top 5 most common extended warranty repairs suggests, it is vulnerable to both mechanical and electrical failure. As a result, drivers often need to fork out around £175 for a new thermostat.  

4. Timing chain 

As the second most expensive warranty repair on our list, a timing chain repair can cost upwards of £500. The metal chain, that connects the crankshaft and camshaft in your vehicle's engine, is responsible for making sure the valves open and close at the right time for the engine to work well. 

But in time, the timing chain can get worn or stretched causing engine problems; you might hear a rattling noise, see the ‘check engine light,’ or feel the engine misfire. Without action, you could end up with a broken engine and an even larger repair bill. 

This is an issue that most commonly occurs in high-mileage vehicles, which will be well beyond their manufacturer's warranty cover — a potential reason why the repair falls into the laps of extended warranty providers like us. 

5. Starter motor 

As its name suggests, the starter motor has the sole responsibility of starting your car or van's engine. It works by using the electrical power from your vehicle battery to turn over the engine to start it. With a faulty starter motor (you guessed it) you won’t be going very far. 

Some of the reasons why your starter motor stops functioning could be from damaged wiring, rust buildup, or overheating just to name a few. To get it repaired or replaced, you’re looking at a possible bill of £250 according to the warranty claims we’ve fulfilled. 

Get an extended warranty for your car or van 

If upon reading this article you’ve decided you’re not prepared to bear the potential financial burden of these common can and van issues, we invite you to explore the comprehensive warranty plans available from us here at Warranty First. We offer a range of different tiers at different price points so you can find one that suits you.