If you’re shopping for a new car or new truck, the question of the warranty may not be at the top of your list of concerns, but in reality what it contains and implies for you may make all the difference if problems do arise.
With this in mind, CAA-Québec has just launched an interesting new tool that will allow consumers to gain a better understanding of car warranties.
According to Pierre-Serge Labbé, Vice President, Automotive Services, at CAA-Quebec, "It's worrying that information as vital as this in deciding what to buy is not so easy to find. With a growing number of people opting for long-term financing, and with out-of-warranty repairs often resulting in substantial expenses, everyone has an interest in making an informed decision!"
The new tool makes available for consumers all the main car warranties offered by the manufacturer, and allows them to compare them and quickly identify the most advantageous ones.
Here are a few of the most striking highlights:
- - Hyundai, Kia and Mitsubishi offer a base warranty covering 5 years/100,000 kilometres, while most warranties from other manufacturers are limited to 3 years/60,000 kilometres.
- - Mitsubishi further distinguishes itself by offering the best powertrain warranty (10 years/160,000 kilometres) – which outdoes even the luxury brands.
- - Mazda is the only mass-market brand that imposes no mileage limits on its main warranties. This is a major selling point for those who rack up the kilometres!
- - Audi, Porsche, BMW and MINI have the best rust-perforation warranty: 12 years/unlimited km (Tesla, meanwhile, offers none at all!).
- - Volvo offers a lifetime parts and labour warranty, when work is carried out at the dealership.
- - Warranties on hybrid and all-electric vehicles are comparable to those on traditional models, except for components of the electric propulsion system, which are covered for a longer period (generally 8 years/160,000 kilometres). Batteries may fall under a separate warranty.
- - Four manufacturers — Hyundai, Kia, FCA and Jaguar Land Rover — offer warranties in Canada that are less generous than their American counterparts, despite the vehicles being identical. Conversely, Chevrolet and Mazda, for example, favour their Canadian customers in some respects.
Click here to consult the CAA-Québec 2017 new-vehicle warranties guide.