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Pricey repairs: maintenance can become costly with no warranty

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Author: | Updated: 18 Jul 2016 15:20

A report has warned of the costly repairs many motorists face after manufacturer’s warranties expire. It was also revealed that the chances of mechanical failure and breakdowns increase after a car’s third birthday, while cars four years and over can be prohibitively expensive to repair.

Mechanic

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Data from Warranty Direct shows that electrical, suspension and engine faults increase sharply once the manufacturer’s warranty has expired. Although some manufacturer’s standard warranties have been extended to five or more years, the vast majority still only cover new vehicles for three years.

Electrics pose most problems

The most common faults on vehicles after three years of use involve the electrical and air conditioning systems, while suspension and axle components also begin to deteriorate between the three and four year mark.

By the time a car has been on the road for four years, it’s more likely people will be faced with more costly issues, with average repairs costing £480.74 on cars over four years old. Over a quarter of cars suffer an electrical failure after four years, while 22% will need work carried out on the suspension. Gearboxes are the most costly to repair, with a whopping average bill of £896.22.

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