What Does the Volkswagen Warranty Cover?
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All new Volkswagens come with a factory warranty that ensures your vehicle will run smoothly for the initial duration of your ownership. But will your Volkswagen warranty offer enough coverage in the event of a mechanical breakdown?
In this review, we’ll take a closer look at Volkswagen warranty coverage and terms. We’ll also help you decide whether a plan from one of the best extended auto warranty providers would be worth it to protect your VW vehicle in the long run and ensure peace of mind.
Table of contents
Volkswagen Warranty Overview
It includes coverage for the powertrain and any other parts that need repairs due to a defect in materials or workmanship. The Volkswagen warranty is fully transferable. Here’s a breakdown of Volkswagen’s 2020 and newer warranty coverage:
Volkswagen Warranty |
Term Length |
|---|---|
New Vehicle Limited Warranty (includes powertrain warranty) |
4 years/50,000 miles |
Carefree Maintenance |
2 years/20,000 miles |
Corrosion perforation |
7 years/100,000 miles |
Battery |
3 years/36,000 miles |
Brake pads and shoes |
1 year/12,000 miles |
Halogen/xenon bulbs |
3 years/36,000 miles |
Other bulbs |
1 year/12,000 miles |
Paint |
3 years/36,000 miles |
Wiper blades |
1 year/12,000 miles |
Mechanical adjustments |
1 year/12,000 miles |
These warranty terms are longer than average, earning the manufacturer a spot on our list of the best new car warranties.
The Volkswagen warranty also comes with a trip interruption benefit that provides up to $100 per day for lodging and meals for a maximum of five days. It also includes 3 years/36,000 miles of roadside assistance for services like:
- Battery jump-starts
- Flat tire services
- Emergency fuel deliveries
- Lockout services up to $100
- Extrication and winching services
- Emergency towing to the nearest Volkswagen dealership
What’s Not Covered Under the Volkswagen Warranty?
Some exclusions to the Volkswagen warranty are as follows:
- Tires
- Wear-and-tear parts such as wiper blades and brake pads
- Scheduled maintenance and mechanical adjustments
- Damage due to maluse, abuse, or neglect
- Non-genuine Volkswagen parts
- Glass parts not listed
- Odometer tampering
- Damage caused by the odometer
These exclusions are common for extended service plans.
Volkswagen Warranty for 2019 and Older Vehicles
If you purchase a 2019 or older Volkswagen, it comes with what’s called the People First® warranty, which offers 6 years/72,000 miles of bumper-to-bumper coverage but no complimentary maintenance.
The People First warranty was introduced by Volkswagen for 2017 vehicles but was phased out for 2020 and newer models.
Volkswagen Warranty for Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles
Here’s a breakdown of Volkswagen warranty coverage by model year for CPO vehicles:
Volkswagen Type |
Length of CPO Volkswagen Warranty |
|---|---|
2016 and older diesel vehicles |
2 years/unlimited miles |
2017 and earlier gas, hybrid, and electric vehicles |
2 years/24,000 miles |
2018 and newer vehicles |
1 year/12,000 miles |
All CPO Volkswagen warranties come with two years of roadside assistance and a three-month, all-access trial subscription to SiriusXM satellite radio.
How to Find Out if Your Volkswagen Vehicle is Still Under Warranty
If you have recently purchased a new Volkswagen vehicle from an individual rather than the dealership, the factory warranty may still be in place. There are a few steps you can take to find out.
Find your VIN. Your VIN, or vehicle identification number, is normally found on your car title or in your owner's manual. You can also check under the drivers-side windshield or on the inside panel of the drivers-side door.
Reach out to your Volkswagen dealer. Once you have found your VIN, call your local VW dealer and ask them for more information on your original warranty.
Consult CARFAX. If the dealer is unable to provide you with the warranty information, you can check CARFAX.
Should You Get Volkswagen Extended Warranty Coverage?
Here’s a breakdown of how Volkswagen scored in RepairPal’s latest Reliability Rating against the average of all car brands:
Volkswagen Average |
Industry Average |
|
|---|---|---|
Average Annual Repair Cost |
$676 |
$652 |
Frequency of Repair Shop Visits |
0.5 repairs per year |
0.4 repairs per year |
Likelihood of a Severe Repair |
11 percent |
12 percent |
As you can see, Volkswagen’s reliability is nearly on par with the industry average. However, repairs are more frequent and may cost more than repairs to other vehicles. For this reason, a Volkswagen auto warranty plan could save owners hundreds of dollars in repairs a year.
Volkswagen Extended Warranty Overview
- Platinum: Covers everything in the lower-tier Gold plan, plus adds coverage for steering, brakes, constant-velocity (CV) boots, navigation, audio, and high-tech components
- Gold: Covers your car’s powertrain, plus the climate control system, shocks, front and rear suspension, and the electrical system
- Powertrain: Covers the engine, transmission, drive axle, and hybrid and electric components
The length of your Volkswagen extended warranty coverage will differ depending on your model year:
- 2018 and newer models are covered up to 10 years/150,000 miles
- 2017 and older models are covered up to 10 years/120,000 miles
These Volkswagen warranty plans can be canceled at any time for a $50 fee. They can also be transferred to a new owner for a $50 fee.
For more information on the manufacturer's protection plans, check out our comprehensive Volkswagen extended warranty review.
Benefits of a Third-Party Extended Warranty
If you opt for a third-party extended warranty, you could potentially save on your extended Volkswagen warranty coverage. Other benefits of choosing an aftermarket car warranty are that coverage is often more flexible, plans can be purchased at almost any time in your vehicle’s life, and you aren’t tied to a Volkswagen dealership for repairs. There are many third party providers such as CARCHEX and Endurance that can provide the same coverage for a lower cost.
When narrowing down the best extended vehicle service contract for your Volkswagen, we recommend only looking at the industry’s most reputable extended car warranty companies.
You can start comparing free, personalized quotes from top-rated providers below.
Methodology
- Price: Comparing providers can be difficult due to the many factors that influence cost. To determine this score, we employ a secret shopper analysis using different vehicles, mileages, warranty plans, and locations.
- Coverage: A wide variety of coverage is essential to support the differing needs of customers. We take into account the number of extended car warranty plans available, term limits, exclusions, and additional benefits.
- Customer Service: The level of customer service and care provided by an extended warranty company is an important consideration. Our review team sifts through customer reviews and complaints from reputable sources such as the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and Trustpilot. We also consider the responsiveness of each company’s customer service team based on our secret shopper analysis.
- Reputation: Good extended warranty providers consistently provide quality experiences. Our team takes into account BBB ratings and the company’s history of reliable service when giving this score.
- Transparency: Customers value a commitment to open and honest communication when it comes to vehicle service contracts. Our team of experts takes into account the availability of money-back guarantees and sample contracts.
Stephen Kenney is a writer and editor who focuses on car insurance, auto financing, and vehicle shipping services. He's a graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill and has experience covering categories ranging from travel to sports to environmental sustainability. In his free time, Stephen enjoys going on long-distance runs, trying out new recipes, and exploring his adopted hometown of Cincinnati.
More by Stephen Kenney
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