Already bought your used car? Depending on the provider and vehicle eligibility, it may still be possible to arrange warranty protection separately, after the purchase.
Already bought your used car?
Many drivers only start thinking seriously about warranty protection after they have driven away from the dealership or completed a private purchase. The good news is that, depending on the provider and vehicle eligibility, it may be possible to purchase vehicle warranty protection separately after buying the car.
This is commonly referred to as an aftermarket or extended vehicle warranty.
Why buy cover after purchasing the car?
A used vehicle can be reliable and still suffer an unexpected mechanical or electrical failure. Once any dealer or manufacturer protection has ended, the cost of an eligible repair may otherwise fall entirely on the owner.
Warranty protection can help make those unexpected costs more manageable, provided the fault and component meet the policy terms.
Is every used car eligible?
No. Warranty providers can apply eligibility requirements based on factors such as vehicle age, mileage, condition, service history, vehicle type and other policy criteria.
You should never assume your vehicle is covered until the provider has confirmed eligibility and you have reviewed the relevant documentation.
Can a warranty cover an existing fault?
A warranty is designed to protect against future eligible failures, not problems that already exist when the cover is purchased. Pre-existing faults, known issues and problems that began before the warranty start date are normally subject to exclusions under the policy terms.
If your vehicle is already showing warning lights, unusual noises or symptoms of a fault, disclose the relevant information and check the terms before purchasing.
What should you compare?
Before buying a used car warranty after purchase, compare the components covered, exclusions, claim limit, excess, labour rate, claims procedure and duration of cover.
It is also important to choose protection suited to your vehicle. Petrol, diesel, hybrid and electric vehicles can have very different systems and repair risks.
ClearPath Protection
ClearPath Protection offers vehicle warranty options for eligible petrol, diesel, hybrid and electric vehicles across the UK. Its current complete protection plan includes claims cover up to £3,000 per eligible claim, a £100 excess per claim and labour rates covered up to £100 per hour, subject to the full policy terms and eligibility.
The bottom line
You do not necessarily have to buy warranty protection at the exact moment you purchase your used car. Depending on eligibility, you may be able to arrange separate cover afterwards.
The important thing is to arrange protection before a fault develops and to understand the policy terms before you buy.
