Your Guide to the Volkswagen Extended Warranty

Stephen Kenney
by Stephen Kenney
ST. LOUIS PARK, MN/USA – FEBRUARY 17, 2018: Volkswagen dealership sign and logo. Volkswagen is a German car manufacturer.

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A Volkswagen extended warranty increases the new vehicle bumper-to-bumper warranty from 4-years/50,000-miles up to 10 years or 150,000 miles. Many Volkswagen owners consider an extended warranty after their factory warranty ends, but is an extended car warranty worth it? In this guide, our review team discusses Volkswagen’s extended warranty plan in-depth to help you make the best decision for your vehicle.


Below, we’ll explore Volkswagen’s extended warranty plan and see how it compares to the best extended auto warranty providers in the industry. To see how much you would pay for third-party coverage, we recommend reaching out to the market’s highest-rated providers for free quotes.

Volkswagen Extended Warranty Overview

A Volkswagen extended warranty covers the cost of repairs after mechanical breakdowns for up to 10 years or 150,000 miles, whichever comes first. The company offers three protection plans through the Volkswagen Drive Easy program: Powertrain, Gold, and Platinum.


For every repair visit, you owe a deductible. You will select the deductible when you purchase your plan either $0, $100 disappearing, or $250. The disappearing deductible option is only available if you take your vehicle to be repaired at the specific Volkswagen dealership where you purchased your extended auto warranty.


These three vehicle service protection plans are available for new vehicles and for certified pre-owned (CPO) Volkswagens with the same level of coverage and benefits. The deductible on CPO Volkswagens for all of the plans is $50.


The table below describes the coverage that each of the plans provides.

Powertrain Plan

Gold Plan

Platinum Plan

Volkswagen Maximum Coverage Terms

10 years/150,000 miles

10 years/150,000 miles

10 years/150,000 miles

Engine

Transmission

Drive Axle

Hybrid/Electric

Climate Control

Shocks

Front Suspension

Rear Suspension

Fuel System

Electrical System

Steering

Brakes

Constant Velocity Boots

Navigation

Audio

High-Tech

Additional Perks

Every Volkswagen extended warranty comes with these additional benefits:

  • Rental car coverage: Every coverage plan comes with rental car reimbursement of up to $35 per day for up to 10 days per covered mechanical breakdown.
  • 24-hour roadside assistance: This benefit gives you up to $100 for emergency services, including battery service, flat tire assistance, lockout assistance, towing, and fuel or fluid delivery.
  • Trip interruption coverage: You can receive trip interruption benefits if you are more than 100 miles away from home when your car breaks down. Volkswagen will reimburse food, lodging, and transportation expenses up to $1,000 per occurrence.
  • Transferability: All plans are fully transferable to a subsequent owner within 30 days of resale. You may be subject to a $50 transfer fee.

What’s Not Included

A Volkswagen extended warranty does not cover the items below. These exclusions are standard among extended service plans:

  • Mechanical breakdowns caused by a lack of maintenance or pre-existing conditions
  • Mechanical breakdowns caused by accident, collision, vandalism, or weather-related conditions
  • Spark plugs, trim pieces, upholstery, and body panels
  • Wear items like wiper blades and brake pads

Volkswagen Extended Warranty Cost

Volkswagen extended car warranty costs depend on your vehicle. If your VW is old or has many miles on it, your extended warranty will cost more than if it is newer and has lower mileage. That’s because new model years are less likely to need repairs. Final prices may also vary from dealership to dealership.


In our 2021 extended car warranty survey that polled 1,000 consumers, 45 percent of respondents said they paid between $1,500 and $2,500 for a protection plan. It's possible that the cost of car repairs during the warranty period can exceed this amount. According to Edmunds.com, a 2014 Volkswagen Jetta owner pays an average of $3,500 for repairs over five years. Considering this average, an extended warranty is very reasonable for Volkswagen owners.

Do You Need Extended Warranty Coverage?

Unfortunately, car repairs can be costly. It is not uncommon for repairs to exceed $1,000, which is a major expense for most Americans. For that reason, purchasing an extended warranty is often a smart decision. Doing so gives you peace of mind that your budget will not be disrupted due to an unexpected repair.


The five-year average repair cost for a 2017 Volkswagen Tiguan is around $4,004, according to Edmunds.com. That amount does not include any other car expenses like regular maintenance or fuel. The table below highlights some of the more expensive Volkswagen Tiguan repairs, according to RepairPal.

Volkswagen Tiguan Repairs

Cost

Turbocharge booster sensor replacement

$199 - $212

Windshield washer pump replacement

$138 - $229

Oil pan gasket replacement

$222 - $251

Headlight bulb replacement

$281 - $295

Turbocharger oil line replacement

$323 - $363

Volkswagen Reliability

As a brand, Volkswagen has above-average reliability, according to RepairPal. RepairPal ranked Volkswagen 12th overall out of 32 automobile brands for brand reliability. The brand did not rank as well in the J.D. Power 2021 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study SM, ranking 28th out of 32 brands studied.


An important consideration when it comes to reliability is the model of Volkswagen that you own. The 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan and the 2020 Volkswagen Atlas were among Consumer Reports' 10 least-reliable cars of the year in the magazine’s last survey. On the other hand, the 2020 Volkswagen GTI is considered to have good predicted reliability by Consumer Reports.

Volkswagen Factory and Certified Pre-Owned Warranties

Since every CPO and new Volkswagen vehicle comes with a warranty of its own, it’s wise to consider how much of your factory or CPO warranty is left on your current vehicle before purchasing an extended warranty. We recommend that you wait until you are near the end of your bumper-to-bumper warranty before purchasing an extended warranty in order to save yourself money.


The table below shows the bumper-to-bumper coverage that comes with every new and CPO Volkswagen. Volkswagen's new vehicle limited warranty coverage has changed in recent years, so coverage depends on the year and model of your Volkswagen. Once you exceed this coverage, you will be responsible for any repairs that might be needed for your vehicle.

Volkswagen Warranty

Plans

Bumper-to-Bumper Coverage

(Includes Powertrain Coverage)

Volkswagen new vehicle warranty

4 years/50,000 miles (2020 and newer models)

6 years/72,000 miles (2018 and 2019 models)

3 years/36,000 miles (2017 and earlier models)

Volkswagen certified pre-owned warranty

1 year/12,000 miles

(2018 and newer models)

2 years/24,000 miles

(2017 and earlier hybrid, gas, and eGold electric models)

2 years/unlimited miles

(2016 and earlier turbocharged diesel engines)

Benefits of a Third-Party Extended Warranty

While car manufacturers like Volkswagen offer reliable extended car warranties, it's worthwhile to consider other extended warranty options. Third-party providers such as Endurance and CARCHEX also offer great coverage. Vehicle service contracts from these companies are typically more affordable than the manufacturer's warranty while providing a similar level of coverage and service.


The table below compares Volkswagen’s extended warranty head-to-head with Endurance. As you can see, Endurance offers longer coverage terms, more coverage levels, and a broader repair facility network. You are also able to start your extended warranty anytime.

Volkswagen

Extended Warranty

Endurance

Extended Warranty

Coverage Start Date

Anytime

Anytime

Longest Term

150,000 miles

200,000+ miles

Levels of Coverage

3

6

Deductible

$0, $100 disappearing, or $250

$0, $50, $100, or $200

Where to Get Repairs

Volkswagen dealerships or limited authorized service providers

Any US or Canadian repair facility certified by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE®)

Transferability

Cancellation

Refund available within 30 days

Refund available within 30 days

Roadside Assistance

Rental Car Reimbursement

Availability

Purchase

from Volkswagen dealerships

Get Quote

Conclusion

A Volkswagen extended warranty extends up to 10 years/150,000 miles and includes some of the best benefits among auto manufacturers, such as roadside assistance, rental car reimbursement, and trip interruption coverage.


With low costs and sometimes even better benefits, extended car warranties offered by third-party companies can be a better choice for Volkswagen drivers. If you are planning to purchase an extended warranty for your VW, the best thing to do is call around and get quotes customized to your vehicle. That way, you can compare prices and get a feel for customer service. You can start by getting quotes from our top three choices:




Methodology

Our review team prides itself on sharing accurate and unbiased information with consumers. We have accumulated data from dozens of extended auto warranty companies to formulate our rankings of the industry’s best providers. Companies receive a score out of 5.0 overall, as well as a rating in each of the following categories:
  • 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.

Q & A

Is the Volkswagen extended warranty any good?

A Volkswagen extended warranty is worth it for those who cannot easily afford potentially costly repairs. Volkswagen’s extended warranties can protect up to 10 years/150,000 miles and offer perks like roadside assistance and rental car reimbursement.


Can you extend VW’s warranty?

Yes, you can extend your VW warranty by purchasing an extended warranty from Volkswagen or a third-party extended warranty provider. Volkswagen’s extended coverage lasts for up to 10 years/150,000 miles.


How much does a Volkswagen extended warranty cost?

The cost of a Volkswagen extended warranty depends on your vehicle model, year, and mileage. Money Crashers suggests that extended coverage costs an average of $1,000 to $1,500.

Stephen Kenney
Stephen Kenney

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.

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