UK Audi Extended Warranty Cost

[topgeartowers]

Dear all,

I wanted to ask any of the UK owners on here that might be approaching, or past the end of the 3 year manufacturer warranty. I can’t seem to get one official price on extending it, as my local Audi dealer (R8 specific salesman) told me it was £900 per 12 months, but then at VMAX at the weekend the owner of a black R8 told me he’d been quoted £2,500 for 12months of extended warranty – which seems like loads, especially when compared to Porsche’s £1,350 extended warranty for a 911 Turbo, or even Bentley’s warranty on a Conti GT at £1,900 per year.

I’ve been told by the dealership that Audi HQ contact you with details, and that they’re not allowed to sell it through the showroom, so I have to sit and wait to be contacted – so I’d love to know more from anyone who’s been through the process.

Cheers,
TGT

[mark25]

It really depends on mileage. Due to my mileage the Audi warranty just didnt seem worth it. I think it was £2,500 for an extended 12 months. If you have less miles on your car the extended Audi warranty can be quite affordable.

[willyjp]

Speaking for my experience in the US: the "price" for extended warranties, though clearly SOMEWHAT dependent on age and mileage at inception of the contract, is STRONGLY affected by the "what the traffic will bear" factor.

That's why, at least in the US, EVERY TIME you buy a new car, regardless of how you are paying (you could be presenting a gold brick), they FORCE you to see the "finance manager" (or sometimes "closer") who's big job is to try to sell you on those very high profit margin items that the dealer can tack on.

When buying a MBZ a couple of years ago, when the guy got to Ext. Warranty in his spiel, and after describing it's features in golden tones, he put out a ridiculous price (I honestly don't recall exactly what it was but it was something like 9% of the purchase price of the car) for a warranty that extended my factory warranty by 5 years and 50k miles, BUT wasn't going to kick in for 4 yrs/50k miles!

I frankly told him I WAS interested in an EW, but that his price was preposterous and I was going to shop elsewhere. Long story short, we ended up settling on a price that was just slightly over HALF what he quoted me for openers.

So, if things are anyway similar in the UK, don't give up without trying a negotiation. Tell 'em what you'd "like to pay" and drop a figure somewhere around 50% of what they're quoting. Tell them you're very interested in an EW and that you're going to be shopping the field. That should get things moving. If not, look elsewhere.

BUT, a word of caution, BE SURE you've looked over the contract BEFORE you begin negotiating, because their favorite tactic is to CHANGE THE FINE PRINT on what's covered, etc., etc.. Don't want 'em "moving the goal posts" on you, as they say!!

[topgeartowers]

Thanks Willy - I guess I'm just confused after extending my Porsche so simply, just a fixed price on the website, it feels a little cloak and dagger at Audi.

Mark - do you mind me asking how many miles you've got mate?

I'll post up here what I find out once I get Audi HQ on the phone.

[willyjp]

Thanks Willy - I guess I'm just confused after extending my Porsche so simply for a price on thier website, it feels a little cloak and dagger at Audi.

Mark - do you mind me asking how many miles you've got mate?

I'll post up here what I find out once I get Audi HQ on the phone.

(again, the US prespective

Porsche has been QUITE successful, as also to some extent MB & BMW, at preserving the illusion, and usually the fact, of FIXED PRICES for both their big toys and accessory pieces. Audi, being a LITTLE shakier, in our market anyway, has NOT been so successful....though R8 stickers aren't TOO often discounted, a lot of the accessories definitely are...as the full page discounted parts ads in the ACNA magazine attest.

The result produces an interesting dichotomy, if you will. As a seller, if you KNOW that the price is going to be negotiated down some, you of course are going to start higher (Audi warranty??), whereas, if you're one of those lucky salesmen who's customers THINK they have to beg you to sell them your product (Porsche??), you may have the luxury of living in "my price is my price" territory, and, since you actually DO want to SELL some of those Ext. Warranties (nice profit margin!), you price it at a reasonable number.

That's my theory, anyway. Might not be true where you are, but I THINK it kind of IS in the US.

[andyhofer]

Hi TopGearTowers

My car will be out of warranty on the 26/09. Due to this I've been looking around to see if I can find a warranty with decent coverage and for a reasonable price.

After speaking to my Audi dealership, he told me that dealers do not offer extended warranties outside the sale of a new car, and I would have to contact www.audiextendedwarranty.co.uk who are the official Audi extended warranty provider.

Prices aren't listed on the site but I've got hold of them with a simple phone call.

Prices are for 12 months
Comprehensive Cover
£2292 £0 Excess
£1849 £100 Excess
£1406 £250 Excess

Named Component Cover
£1738 £0 Excess
£1406 £100 Excess
£1073 £250 Excess

Further details of cover are on the site.

Personally, I found this too expensive, so after further searching I found UVW, after calling them, they offered 1 years cover with wear and tear, £0 excess and Franchise cover for £995 and you can get 3 years cover for £1990. This was for the highest level of cover "Executive Plus". http://www.usedvehiclewarranty.co.uk/

I've looked through the fine print and I can't find anything that makes it weaker that Audi's. In fact due to the wear and tear it's probably stronger. Remember that wear and tear only covers premature wear and tear.

Be interesting to see what you find, even if it's to help me decide.

Andy

[mark25]

Hi Andy

I did the same as you and ordered an extended warranty from another company. I think it may have been a waste tho as the R8 seems so stable. My car currently has done 37,000 miles. Another downside with thirdparty warranty is if you sell the car people dont view third party warranties as adding much resale value. They assume they are worthless policies.

Where in brum are you based?

Mark

[andyhofer]

Just north of Brum, Tamworth.

My problem is I can't afford a major repair, minor stuff is fine, but I'd be stuffed in a cambelt let go. The warranty will just give me piece of mind.

Andy

[willyjp]

Hi Andy

I did the same as you and ordered an extended warranty from another company. I think it may have been a waste tho as the R8 seems so stable. My car currently has done 37,000 miles. Another downside with thirdparty warranty is if you sell the car people dont view third party warranties as adding much resale value. They assume they are worthless policies.

Where in brum are you based?

Mark

Interesting comment. That suggests the Audi Organization itself provides the extended warranty coverage in Britain. Is that so?

In the US, every extended warranty I've ever actually had (and read) was just a 3rd party insurance policy, and somewhere in the fine print, they're required to say so. I have heard that MB was a possible exception in the past but believe I heard they went out of the direct EW business as well. I know the one I've got on my Mercedes is 3rd party....sold to me by the MB dealer. Haven't got my R8 "Audi" EW handy to check, but I am under the impression that is true for it as well....can't say for certain.

[topgeartowers]

Andy - thank you so much for taking the time out to put that info down, once I got on the phone to Audi warranty I collected the same figures. As for mileage they only adjust upwards if your car has over 65k on the clock or you do more than 15K per year.

Certainly the maths of the £250 excess works out if you don't have more than two claims per year (which would take you up to what you'd pay with the £100 excess). Shame there is any excess at all, as I enjoyed having the Porsche collected and returned for warranty work with nothing more than a job sheet to sign...