VX220 Turbo - Vauxhalls Sureguard Warranty Extension

[Wantanewnoble]

The wife's car is approaching its third anniversary and Vauxhall have written to offer a warranty extension. For £425 a year you get comprehensive (their word) cover for mechanical and electrical parts (including labour), car hire costs in the event of a breakdown, breakdown assistance (I think backed by the AA and includes roadside, home start, relay/relay plus, european cover, key cover etc), unlimited claims liability up to the value of the car and an MOT warranty covering all parts tested during an MOT.

Thoughts on whether or not this is good value? Does anyone have experience of making claims? Does anyone have experience of the cars reliability over 3 years/35000 miles?

So far the car has been highly reliable given its 35000 miles to date and its (almost) daily use. Your thoughts welcome.

[DanL]

Three years old is coming up to a time when things are going to need doing. Engine mounts, possible suspension bushes, possible radiator failure, etc. - I forget what tends to go in these cars as I've not had a VX for a while, but a quick look on vx220.org.uk should point you in the right direction.

What I would say is that having a hire car whilst yours is off the road is a handy thing to be offered. Mine was off the road for four-five weeks awaiting a new radiator, and this is whilst they were still making them. I can't believe parts are any easier to come by these days!

[p4cks]

For a hell of a lot cheaper, the RAC and AA offer a very similar package. As well as homestart and roadside recovery and assistance.

ETA: http://www.theaa.com/breakdowncover/brc_info.html

Edited by p4cks on Tuesday 10th February 14:57

[Wantanewnoble]

p4cks said:

For a hell of a lot cheaper, the RAC and AA offer a very similar package. As well as homestart and roadside recovery and assistance.

ETA: http://www.theaa.com/breakdowncover/brc_info.html

Edited by p4cks on Tuesday 10th February 14:57

Thanks p4cks. The AA cover looks interesting. However I am not sure that it is anywhere near as comprehensive. Max claim £500, Max 5 per year (hopefully that would be enough but you don't know), £25 excess per claim. It appears to be only associated with fix after breakdown on the road. Normal AA recovery price would I assume be added to this and you would not get the MOT coverage ie all faults found during the MOT are covered as well on the Sureguard policy. Sureguard policy looks to cover everything other than wear and tear items (brake pads, tyres, cam belt etc)and (if you are unlucky enough to have serious problems) you are covered without excess up to the full value of the car. The concern is - 1. Is £425 a reasonable price to pay for a 3 year old car (ie should I expect costs during the next 12 months) 2. Is the policy as comprehensive at it appears to be (anyone with experience of Vauxhall & Sureguard ?) and 3. The policy relies upon continued maintenance by a Vauxhall dealer ( I think). Would I be better off considering other options and having the freedom of going to some of the specialists that I have seen others mentioning elsewhere.

[MrSimba]

I've never had anything other than problems with Vauxhall's warrantee cover...

apart from a new gear box at 2.5k as someone was asleep when they built it and fitted an oil seal the wrong way round so it let oil out rather than keep it in just about everything else was 'I'm affraid thats not covered,' or 'well thats comes under bodywork trim so you only get 1yrs cover on that' and that was when the lights were filling with water and I'd got no indicators or brake lights - 'trim' my arse! trading standards agreed with me and suddenly as a 'gesture of goodwill' I got a new light unit, but only after TS were going to take the matter up!

I laughed as I filed the extended warantee form in the bin, not worth the paper its written on IMHO.