Nearly Half New Cars Breakdown Within A Year Of Warranty Expiring

It seems new cars are not as reliable as car makers would have us believe.

Recent research now shows nearly half of all new cars will have a major fault within four years of rolling off the production line. Not quite what the happy car buyer expects or wants to hear.

Within one year of their manufacturer’s warranty expiring, 40 per cent of cars will breakdown says motor insurance industry research.

Although some manufacturers such as Hyundai provide extended warranties the majority will provide 18 months at most.

And these faults are not just wobbly ashtray covers. The average cost of a breakdown in the year after a warranty has expired runs at over £300.

This can run up to several thousand pounds in some cases motor insurance companies have discovered. The implication is that car buyers need to understand the importance of secure motor warranty cover, even for relatively new cars.

Suspension systems were the greatest issue, being responsible for 34 per cent of problems, followed by brakes and electrics (both 22 per cent) and then engine problems (19 per cent).

"Mechanical failure is not as rare as some may think," said a motor insurance spokesman.

"Sadly consumers rarely factor the real cost of repair bills. Manufacturer’s provide a modest cushion for the first three years in many cases, after that you’re either relying on the protection of a good warranty or hope that you’ve bought a reliable car."