Van warranty

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What’s a van warranty?  

Depending on the terms and conditions it could cover the cost of repairs your van needs.

A warranty is a form of insurance, but it’s not a replacement for the van insurance you need to legally drive on the road.

How long does a van warranty last? 

That depends on the type and terms of the warranty. 

Some van warranties last for as little as three months, while others can be valid for three or five years, possibly even longer. 

Van warranty

Do I need van warranty?

It’s not compulsory, so it’s up to you if you want to take a van warranty out. 

Repairing your van could end up costing you a lot, which is why you might want to consider it.

If you do want a van warranty, shop around to find one that offers you the cover you need for your van at the right price.

Types of van warranty  

There are three main types of van warranty you can choose from:

Manufacturer van warranties

New vehicles usually come with a manufacturer’s warranty, lasting for three to five years. 

If you see a warranty with better cover, there’s nothing stopping you from taking another warranty out. 

Second-hand vans might not be covered by the manufacturer's warranty, so it’s best to check.  

Independent dealer van warranties

If you’ve bought your van from a dealership or garage, you might be offered a warranty by the seller.

Cover doesn’t last long for this type of warranty - usually around three months - but you could be offered the chance to extend the cover term for an extra charge. 

Extended van warranties

These warranties - sometimes called ‘after-market’ warranties - can be taken out for new or used vehicles, even if you already have another warranty. 

The price and cover options depend on the age and model of your van. You’ll likely need to prove your van has been recently serviced and has an MOT certificate.

What does a van warranty cover?

A good van warranty should cover the cost of the breakdown of mechanical components like the:

  1. Engine

  2. Electrics

  3. Transmission

  4. Fuel

  5. Gearbox

  6. Cooling system

  7. Suspension

  8. Brakes

  9. Steering

Check your policy for a ‘betterment’ clause: this means that if a new part’s fitted that’s better than the original, you’d have to contribute towards the cost

Exclusions on van warranty policies

A van insurance warranty doesn’t cover everything - these are some common exclusions:

  1. Wear and tear

    Wear and tear excluded by most warranties usually applies to exhausts, tyres, wheels, the clutch, catalytic converters, braking systems, cosmetic damage and entertainment systems

  2. Oil leaks

    While a van warranty will usually cover the cost of replacing a leaking part, it might not cover any damage caused by the leaking oil

  3. ‘Consequential loss’

    This is where you aren’t covered for damage to an insured component if the damage was caused by an uninsured part

  4. Policy breaches

    Making modifications or using unapproved parts could invalidate your warranty, meaning you won’t be covered

  5. Maintenance

    Your warranty provider can also refuse to cover you if you neglect basic maintenance of your van - a warranty is not a replacement for good maintenance

Van warranty versus van insurance

Warranties and insurance policies work differently. A warranty covers you for repairs to parts that fail on their own - this is when it’s not your fault or caused by outside forces.  

Van insurance is designed to protect you against damage caused by accidents, fire or theft (depending on your cover type) and damage you cause to third parties. 

Unlike a warranty, having van insurance is a legal requirement to drive your van on the road. 

It can get tricky when your warranty and insurance overlap, for example, if your brakes are faulty and cause you to crash into another car.  

Your warranty would cover the cost of repairing the brakes, while your insurance will pay out for the resultant damage of the accident and any third-party claims.

When choosing your warranty, look out for how much excess you’ll need to pay

What are the alternatives to a van warranty?

Some van breakdown policies also offer peace of mind by assisting with recovery, parts and labour.  

They’re unlikely to cover the full cost of major component failure though, as they’re designed to get you home and pay the roadside repair bill. 

You could save up some money each month to use just in case something goes wrong with your van, but this could be risky as you might not have enough saved to cover a repair bill.

Weigh up all your options to see what works best for you and your van.  

Frequently asked questions

It depends on the policy, but most terms are generally between one to five years.  

Other warranties might have a mileage limit, rather than a set length of time.

Your eligibility will rely on the make and model of your van, its mileage, if it has an MOT and the type of warranty you want, as some policies will only cover new vans.

The cost of a van warranty varies. Providers will take into account your age, type of van and its usage to get an idea of how likely you are to claim for repairs.

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[1]Gocompare.com introduces customers to Warranties Direct, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Gocompare.com's relationship with Warranties Direct is limited to that of a business partnership, no common ownership or control rights exist between us