When purchasing a new vehicle, the warranty provided is a significant factor to consider. Although most car warranties in the UK typically cover three years or 60,000 miles, several manufacturers go beyond this as part of their standard offering.
With most major car brands in the country, extending the warranty beyond three years generally comes at an additional cost. However, the top-tier warranties eliminate that concern, giving you peace of mind and saving you money in case of unexpected issues.
Every car warranty differs in small but important ways, so beyond the length of coverage and mileage limits, direct comparisons can be difficult.
Some warranties may include exclusions buried in the fine print, but those may not even apply depending on the car or brand in question or another manufacturer may have different exclusions altogether.
It isn’t realistic to compare every small clause in each warranty, but once you’ve narrowed down your choice to a specific car, it’s essential to read the terms and conditions thoroughly.
This way, you’ll fully understand what is included and what isn’t. For electric vehicles, warranties usually come in two parts: one covering the car itself and another specifically for the battery.
Battery warranties commonly run for eight years or 100,000 miles, which is typically longer than most owners will keep the car.
Most warranties won’t include consumable parts like tyres and brake pads, so it’s important not to assume those are covered. These are normal wear-and-tear items that you’ll need to replace regardless of how new the car is.
Continue reading to discover which car warranties we consider the best and which models from each brand we recommend purchasing right now.
The vehicles we’ve selected are all award winners with excellent feature sets and strong reputations for reliability so strong, in fact, that you might never need to rely on the generous warranty.
It’s no surprise that manufacturers tend to reserve the longest warranties for cars they believe will seldom require major repairs.
1. Toyota
- Warranty length: 10yrs (100,000 miles)
- Our car choice: Toyota Prius
Toyota has a longstanding reputation for reliability, which is why it’s not surprising that the brand offers the UK’s most extensive warranty.
All new Toyota vehicles include a three-year warranty by default, but for every additional year that you have the car serviced at a Toyota-approved service centre, the warranty is extended by another year up to a maximum of ten years.
This approach not only incentivises regular servicing but also means that even used Toyotas up to ten years old can still be under warranty, assuming the maintenance schedule has been followed.
Our recommendation here is the latest Toyota Prius. It’s the best-looking Prius Toyota has designed to date, offering a fantastic driving experience and exceptional efficiency.
Beyond savings on repair costs, you’ll also benefit from impressively low running expenses.
The Prius is packed with features, offers great performance, and is extremely comfortable. Its only downside is slightly underwhelming practicality compared to rivals.
2. Lexus
- Warranty length: 10yrs (100,000 miles)
- Our choice: Lexus NX
As a subsidiary of Toyota, Lexus vehicles benefit from the same warranty system. That means you start with a standard three-year warranty, and each time the car is serviced at an authorised centre, an extra year is added, up to ten years.
This not only keeps cars in optimal condition but also helps maintain strong resale values across the brand.
We’ve chosen the Lexus NX as the standout option. This mid-size luxury SUV features a refined interior and cutting-edge technology.
An Auto Express Award winner, the NX offers an excellent combination of smooth performance, good fuel economy, and impressive handling.
It’s a premium vehicle that offers strong value, made even more attractive by the exceptional warranty. Despite its luxury status, the NX is economical to run.
Also Read: 12 Sports Sedans That Outlast SUVs With Top Endurance
3. Hyundai
- Warranty length: 5yrs (Unlimited miles)
- Our choice: Hyundai Tucson
While Hyundai’s five-year warranty may seem shorter in duration compared to others on this list, it stands out because it has no mileage cap.
This makes it a perfect option for drivers who rack up high annual mileage. Covering unlimited miles over five years, the Hyundai warranty offers unmatched flexibility for those who drive extensively surpassing 100,000 miles in five years is certainly possible.
Our top choice here is the Hyundai Tucson. It was named Mid-size SUV of the Year in 2024, and it’s a superb family car offering generous interior space and an abundance of modern in-car technology.
The Tucson is comfortable, fun to drive, and comes in several variants including petrol, mild-hybrid, and plug-in hybrid models giving buyers plenty of flexibility.
Alternatively, the Hyundai Kona or Ioniq 5 are excellent electric options, though they may not be ideal for high-mileage users looking to maximise the unlimited mileage warranty.
4. Kia
- Warranty length: 7yrs (100,000 miles)
- Our choice: Kia EV9
Kia has built a strong reputation in the UK for its generous warranty, with many older models proudly displaying stickers in the rear windows promoting the seven-year coverage.
These stickers can still be seen on vehicles out on the roads today, which serves as a testament to the reliability that justified such extensive coverage. The warranty is capped at 100,000 miles, which is ample for the majority of new-car buyers.
Our top pick for the Kia brand is the EV9, which earned the title of Large Company Car of the Year 2024.
We’ve called it a game-changer in the electric SUV segment, thanks to its spacious seven-seat layout and an impressive 300-mile range all at a price point that remains relatively affordable.
Despite its substantial size, it offers surprisingly good handling, delivers a comfortable ride even with large alloy wheels, and as a fully electric vehicle, it benefits from exceptionally low company car tax.
For private owners, the cost savings from home charging also make it a highly economical choice.
Also Read: 12 Vehicles With the Best DIY Repairability
5. Suzuki
- Warranty length: 7yrs (100,000 miles)
- Our choice: Suzuki Swift
Suzuki provides an excellent seven-year or 100,000-mile warranty across its range, and we believe the latest Swift stands out as the brand’s best offering right now.
It’s an outstanding option for anyone who enjoys driving smaller vehicles, as its lightweight build and nimble handling make it a joy on the road.The compact engines deliver strong performance and great fuel efficiency, largely due to the car’s low weight.
While it doesn’t offer the same level of advanced technology as some other models featured here, the Swift focuses on delivering simple, enjoyable driving at a low purchase and ownership cost.
It can serve well as a family car in many cases, although rear-seat space may be limited for regularly transporting adults.
6. MG
- Warranty length: 7yrs (80,000 miles)
- Our choice: MG3
MG’s resurgence continues as the brand expands its line-up of affordable family vehicles, all supported by a solid seven-year warranty covering up to 80,000 miles. Among these is the MG3, which has been recognised as our Affordable Hybrid Car of the Year 2024.
While the previous generation MG3 felt outdated even when new, the latest hybrid version has taken a leap forward and already surpasses some of its competitors.
It features a powerful 192bhp hybrid system that delivers both performance and efficiency. It’s especially well-suited for urban driving, where it remains quiet and refined, while also providing a smooth ride.
Best of all, it undercuts most of its direct competitors in terms of price. The inclusion of a seven-year warranty only enhances its overall value, making it a standout choice for budget-conscious buyers.
7. Dacia
- Warranty length: 6yrs (75,000 miles)
- Our choice: Dacia Duster
Dacia’s standard warranty covers three years, which is typical, but much like Toyota, the brand offers a great bonus system that allows you to extend it up to six years at no additional cost.
Every time you take your car for a service at an approved garage, the warranty is extended by one year, up to a maximum of 75,000 miles. If you want coverage beyond that point, there is an option to pay for an extended warranty.
Our recommended model from Dacia is the Duster, which earned the title of Small SUV of the Year 2024. It represents excellent value for money as a family car, boasting attractive styling, plenty of technology, and a rewarding driving experience.
While it’s competitively priced, it still offers a more premium feel than previous versions and features a spacious cabin, comfortable ride, and affordable running costs all of which make it a compelling option.
8. KGM
- Warranty length: 5yrs (100,000 miles)
- Our choice: KGM Rexton
KGM might not be a familiar name to many, but it was previously known as SsangYong a Korean brand that has been active in the UK market for some time.
While the brand’s warranty was once longer, the recent rebranding saw it reduced by two years to a five-year term. Even so, this still ranks among the more generous warranties currently available in the UK.
Our vehicle pick from KGM is the Rexton, primarily due to the strong value it provides. It shares a platform with pick-up trucks, which means it can be a little rough around the edges and somewhat outdated in its driving dynamics.
However, it makes up for that with a well-equipped cabin and an impressively large interior, offering substantial room for both passengers and cargo.
Its rugged and straightforward nature will likely attract buyers looking for durability and practicality qualities that are further reinforced by the solid warranty on offer.
