Warranties warranties warranties!

[johnnnnnnyy]

I've been following this forum for quite a while and helped me make the right choices to find my dream Aston.

Probably one of the most common questions I see come up, are people asking about the Aston Warranty and if they should buy one. Is it worth it? I still don't think their is a definite answer. Some DB9's and Vantage's are nearly 6 years old now, so this a good time for everyone to respond with their experiences. From what I've read so far, many Aston warranty claims become a bit of a battle with Aston.

I know it's a gamble not taking a warranty, but is it one worth taking? Have Aston nailed it with this new generation of cars, are they well screwed together these days?


So questions to everyone:
1) If you have a warranty, what have you claimed for? I'm interested to hear if any 'expensive bits' have been replaced. Is there a common fault?

2) What claims have been turned down by Aston?

3) If you don't have a warranty have you had some scary expensive bills?

I'm trying to weigh up if the £1300 per year warranty fee is worth it, especially if inexpensive items break.

I'm sure all these answers will help many people with the same dilemma?

[michael gould]

Last year replaced timing chain cover gaskets bill would have been £800....DMS would probably tighted them and that would have done the job
This year replaced cracked suspension spring cost about £300
That's it in 18 months

[Murph7355]

(3) No.

Asking for trouble I guess.

I would very much doubt that the niggles I've had with mine would have cost the equivalent of 1,300 quid a year to fix. All of them in total would struggle to reach 1k-2k I would think (in over 4yrs).

[Neil1300R]

2 years of ownership, 2 years of extended warranty.
Claimed so far for:-
Thermosat
Replacement drivers seatbelt as it was fraying where it rubbed on the leather strap on the seat. Was a battle to get, needed to phone the warranty company direct.
No claims in the second year, due to renew for 3rd year.
The extended warranty also includes breakdown cover in UK and Europe. Have been to Europe both years. Annual European cover from the AA is £228pa.
So warranty costs me ~ £17 a week
Look forward to a bking from Micheal Gould for paying it

[bogie]

this question seems to come up weekly

its an insurance policy, like anything else, and they dont give them out because they are losing money on them...so statistically the insurer makes money, odds are that you wont need it

so do you feel lucky ?

I have a Jan 06 Vantage, nearly 60k miles, 3rd year out of warranty now and (touch wood!) not too bad:

thermostat = £170
coolant sensor = £20

other things like headlight washer cover went missing (£25) not covered by warranty anyway I guess

niggles - depends how fussy you are I guess, if you want a car "Like new" then buy one, dont buy used ...lots of small niggly things wont be covered by extended warranty anyway

[matg]

Keep the cash, stick in an ISA or something. Aston extended warranty does not even include the radio or GPS. If something breaks take it to DMS.

[steve_amv8]

Which company provides the AM Warranty?

[Jockman]

Bought the DB9 at one year old so still under original warranty.

In first year of ownership, petrol cap release and hand brake release both needed adjusting, and my passenger window brought up a bit of material from inside the door. All fixed by Stratstone on a collect and return service.

Now in my 2nd ownership year (final original warranty year) and had the external thermostat replaced and about to have the DSC fixed (no traction control at momemt, but Murph assures me not to worry) and a PDC sensor at the front has fallen in. Stratstone are collecting and delivering tomorrow.

Very pleased with service from Stratstone, and pleased with the original warranty.

Will need to do some serious thinking next March when warranty expires

[Murph7355]

Jockman said:

...no traction control at momemt, but Murph assures me not to worry...

YMMV is, I believe, the key item to stress

Don't come crying to me if you drive like a gibbon in the wet and stick it in a hedge backwards

[hartley]

2006 Volante - had it since 2007 . Only problem has been expensive servicing - quoted £1800 for 4th year warranty , took a chance and 2 years on have in effect got savings of £3600 to set against any repairs.
The only potential problem is bubbling under paint by door( very small at present ) - but if you read the other threads you'll see they only pay half of an inflated body work bill so a warranty won't help much.
In short it's a con - if you can live with a £1000 downside take the risk and you'll probably never pay it.;)