What does your new car warranty actually cover? It may be less than you think
May 22, 2026 by Siobhan Doyle
What does a new car warranty really cover? The answer may be less than you think once you examine the fine print.
A new car warranty can feel like a safety net stitched in gold thread – promising years of stress-free motoring the moment you leave the forecourt. But while the headline figures often sound generous, the reality can be far more complicated once you start digging into what’s actually included, what’s excluded, and what only gets partial cover after a certain point.
That’s where things get interesting. On paper, many manufacturer warranties look almost identical, offering similar terms, mileage limits, and durations. But the details beneath the surface tell a different story: especially when it comes to wear-and-tear items, electronics, and the fine print around exclusions.
We looked at five similar car manufacturer warranties (ranging from seven to 10 years and 80,000-100,000 miles), in alphabetical order, to compare what is and isn’t covered in each policy. They look much the same on paper, but the small differences in cover matter more than you might expect.
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Jaecoo/Omoda – 7 years/100,000 miles
Jaecoo and Omoda warranties are designed to cover defects in materials, manufacturing, and workmanship. These repairs must be completed by authorised dealers using approved parts.
However, it doesn’t cover as much as you might think. Here’s a breakdown of what’s covered, what has limited coverage, and what’s excluded.
What’s covered
- Mechanical failures
- Electrical failures
- Manufacturing defects
- Defects in materials or workmanship
- Drivetrain and major vehicle systems
- High-voltage battery for hybrid and electric models
Limited-cover components
Jaecoo and Omoda’s policy shows some items have shorter warranty periods, including:
- Glass defects: Three months/1,000 miles
- Service items (filters, brake pads/discs, spark plugs, wipers, bulbs, fluids): limited to two years/10,000 miles or until next scheduled service
- Selected components such as suspension bushes, infotainment systems, alternators, water pump, fuel pump, wheel bearings, brake calipers and upholstery: three years/40,000 miles
- Batteries:
– Remote key: One year / 20,000 miles
– 12V battery: Two years - Tyres: Two years/10,000 miles for manufacturing defects only
What’s not covered
Jaecoo and Omoda’s warranty does not cover:
- Normal wear and tear
- Servicing, wheel alignment, balancing, or A/C re-gassing
- Accidental damage, misuse, neglect, or environmental damage
- Damage caused by non-genuine parts or unauthorised repairs
- Vehicles modified beyond manufacturer specification
- Failures caused by poor maintenance or ignoring warning signs
- Cosmetic issues within normal manufacturing tolerances
- Consequential losses such as travel costs, loss of earnings, or replacement vehicles
Your warranty may also be void if the VIN or mileage has been altered, or if the vehicle has been used for racing, overloading, or other non-approved uses.
Kia – 7 years/100,000 miles
Kia’s warranty protects your car against manufacturing defects. You get unlimited mileage for the first three years, then up to 100,000 miles from years four to seven.
What’s covered
The warranty covers key components such as:
- Engine and gearbox
- Electrical systems
- Suspension and steering
- Most mechanical and electronic components affected by manufacturing defects
- Covers paint application or finish faults
- Body panels covered for defects in materials or assembly
- Minor adjustments to doors, bonnet, and tailgate may be covered early in ownership if caused by factory setup issues
Key component-specific cover
Some parts have their own time limits, according to Kia’s terms and conditions:
- Audio and navigation systems: Three years/60,000 miles
- 12V and 48V batteries: Two years
- eCall battery: Three years
- Air conditioning refrigerant: Two years
- Wheel alignment and balance: One month/1,000 miles
- Exterior glass cracks (manufacturing-related): Three months/1,000 miles
- Wear-and-tear items (if defective): Two years/12,500 miles (e.g. brake pads, wipers, bulbs, belts)
What’s not covered
Warranty does not cover damage or issues caused by:
- Accidents, fire, theft, vandalism, or insurance write-offs
- Misuse (racing, overloading, off-road damage, kerb impacts)
- Weather and environmental damage (floods, hail, salt, bird lime, stone chips, scratches)
- Modifications or non-approved parts
- Missed or incorrect servicing
- Normal wear and tear (brakes, tyres, wipers, bulbs, fading, ageing)
- Routine maintenance (oil changes, filters, wheel alignment, cleaning, etc.)
- Costs like courtesy cars, travel, accommodation or lost income
Keep in mind that tyres are covered separately by the tyre manufacturer, all warranty repairs must be carried out by an authorised Kia dealer, and the warranty can be transferred to a new owner as long as it is still within the original coverage period.
MG – 7 years/80,000 miles
MG’s manufacturer warranty covers the car for up to seven years or 80,000 miles against faults in materials or workmanship, as long as it’s serviced on schedule and repaired by authorised MG dealers, with cover potentially affected if the vehicle is misused or modified.
What’s covered
Under MG’s warranty, the following is covered if something goes wrong because it was faulty from the factory:
- Engine and gearbox
- Steering and suspension (e.g. steering rack, control arms if defective)
- Brakes (mechanical faults, not normal wear)
- Electrical systems and wiring
- Infotainment, screens, and sensors (usually covered for a shorter period)
- Bodywork defects and paint issues
- Factory-fitted components (including windows, locks, and controls)
- EV systems, including battery and charging components (for defect-related issues)
What’s not covered
Things that wear out, get damaged, or are affected by use, including:
- Brake pads and discs
- Tyres
- Wiper blades and bulbs
- Filters (oil, air, cabin)
- 12V battery (usually treated as wear)
- Damage from accidents, weather, theft, or vandalism
- Problems caused by poor servicing or missed services
- Modifications or non-approved repairs
- Normal wear and tear of suspension and rubber parts
Suzuki – 10 years/100,000 miles (service activated)
After the standard three-year warranty, Suzuki’s Service Activated Warranty can extend cover up to 10 years or 100,000 miles (whichever comes first) as long as the car is serviced on schedule at an authorised Suzuki service centre. It’s automatically renewed each time you service the car, and it continues to cover factory faults with electrical and mechanical parts.
What’s covered
Suzuki’s warranty covers:
- Factory-fitted electrical and mechanical components
- Labour and Suzuki Genuine Parts used during approved repairs
- Essential oils, lubricants, fluids, coolant, refrigerant and filters where required as part of a valid repair claim (provided the vehicle is not within 1,000 miles or one month of its next scheduled service)
- Casings damaged as a direct result of a covered component failure
What’s not covered
The warranty policy specifically excludes:
- Normal wear and wear or routine maintenance items
- Brake pads, discs, clutches, filters, spark plugs, tyres, batteries, exhaust systems, wiper blades and fluids
- Infotainment systems
- Bodywork, paintwork, upholstery, carpets, glass and cosmetic items
- Corrosion, rust, flooding or environmental damage
- Faults caused by poor servicing, neglect or use of non-approved parts or fluids
- Vehicles modified from the manufacturer’s original specification
- Vehicles used for racing, track days, taxis, hire/reward or emergency services
- Existing faults present before the warranty was activated
- Damage caused by accidents, misuse or continuing to drive the vehicle after a fault becomes apparent
- Any financial losses such as loss of earnings, depreciation or consequential damage not directly related to the covered repair
Other things to consider with Suzuki’s warranty is that the services must not exceed the permitted interval by more than 250 miles or 14 days, and that any defects identified during servicing must be repaired before those components become eligible to cover.
Toyota – 10 years/100,000 miles (service activated)
Toyota’s warranty covers manufacturing defects, not general wear, damage, or routine maintenance. Like Suzuki, Toyota also offers Service-Activated Warranty of up to 10 years or 100,000 miles.
Each time you complete a qualifying service at an approved Toyota dealer, you receive an extra:
- 12 months/10,000 miles of warranty cover
- Or 24 months/20,000 miles for vehicles on two-year service schedules
Toyota’s standard warranty which typically lasts for three years or 60,000 miles (whichever comes first) is designed to cover manufacturing faults, while its Service Activated Warranty called “Toyota Relax” rewards you if you keep your vehicle serviced within its network.
What’s covered
- Manufacturing or assembly faults
- Engine, gearbox, or electrical systems
- Hybrid system components
- Factory-related safety and control system faults
- Corrosion perforation and certain paint defects
What’s not covered
- Wear-and-tear items (brakes, tyres, clutch, wipers, filters)
- Routine servicing and maintenance
- Cosmetic wear or interior trim damage
- Accident, misuse, neglect, or modification damage
- Existing faults identified before warranty activation
Car warranty comparison
Want to compare warranties? Here’s all you need to know in one place:
| Brand | Length | Mileage | What has limited cover | What’s not covered |
| Jaecoo/Omoda | 7 years | 100,000 miles |
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| Kia | 7 years | 100,000 miles |
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| MG | 7 years | 80,000 miles |
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| Suzuki | 10 years | 100,000 miles |
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| Toyota | 10 years | 100,000 miles |
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What does this mean for you?
Ultimately, your warranty only covers what’s clearly listed – not everything you might expect. It can protect you from certain faults or failures, but it may not include things like accidental damage, normal wear and tear, or misuse.
The key is to check the fine print. This is where you’ll find exactly what’s included, what’s excluded, and what you need to do to keep your cover valid (like registering the product or keeping your receipt).
Before you rely on a warranty, take a quick look at the terms, because that’s where the real limits are set.
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