Whether you’re thinking about purchasing a Volkswagen or have owned one for years, it’s a good idea to understand the Volkswagen warranty. When your vehicle breaks down, your Volkswagen warranty could be the key to saving hundreds in repair costs.
In this article, we’ll walk you through the Volkswagen warranty for both new and certified pre-owned vehicles, including coverage, term lengths and extra perks. We’ll also talk about the best extended car warranty options available for Volkswagens and whether you may benefit from extended coverage.
What Does the Volkswagen Warranty Cover?
Volkswagen warranty coverage consists of a 4-year/50,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty that includes powertrain coverage. The Volkswagen warranty also gives drivers 3 years/36,000 miles of 24/7 roadside assistance and 2 years/20,000 miles of complimentary scheduled maintenance.
| Volkswagen Warranty | Coverage Length |
|---|---|
| New Vehicle Limited Warranty (includes powertrain) | 4 years/50,000 miles |
| Roadside Assistance | 3 years/36,000 miles |
| Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance | 2 years/20,000 miles |
This coverage pays to repair most defects in materials or workmanship beginning on your VW’s in-service date. If you sell your vehicle before your coverage period ends, any remaining Volkswagen warranty coverage will be automatically transferred to the next owner.
Along with VW’s bumper-to-bumper coverage, drivers may get:
- Coverage to keep emissions parts working in line with federal and state emissions regulations
- Corrosion protection to replace sheet metal parts that rust through
Volkswagen offered a 6-year/72,000-mile New Vehicle Limited Warranty for 2018 and 2019 models, and if you buy a Volkswagen of either year, it will still come with the longer coverage. However, it won’t include VW’s Carefree Maintenance.
What’s Not Covered Under the Volkswagen Warranty?
While the Volkswagen warranty provides comprehensive protection, like any factory warranty, it has its limitations. The manufacturer’s coverage does not protect the following parts and systems:
- Tires, tire balancing and wheel alignments
- Wear-and-tear parts like brake pads and wiper blades
- Maintenance services after the first two years
- Damage caused by improper maintenance or lack of maintenance
- Non-genuine VW parts
- Damage caused by improper fluid use
- Accidents or collisions
- Environmental damage
- Repairs not completed at a Volkswagen dealership
The Volkswagen warranty also excludes modifications, so if you’ve elected to turn your VW Bug into the 1968 film icon Herbie, don’t expect your customizations to be covered.
Certified Pre-Owned Volkswagen Warranty
Certified pre-owned (CPO) Volkswagens must undergo an inspection of over 100 points, but the manufacturer still includes a Model-Specific Limited Warranty in case you experience an unexpected breakdown.
The CPO Volkswagen warranty covers vehicles for different lengths depending on your model year:
| Model Year | Type of Vehicle | CPO Volkswagen Warranty Length |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 and older | Turbocharged direct injection (TDI) vehicles | 2 years/unlimited miles |
| 2017 and older | Gas, hybrid and electric vehicles | 2 years/24,000 miles |
| 2018 and newer | All vehicles | 1 year/12,000 miles |
Your CPO Volkswagen warranty begins after the original New Vehicle Limited Warranty expires, so if you purchase a newer CPO vehicle, you could be covered for longer. The Volkswagen CPO warranty also comes with two years of additional roadside assistance coverage for services like gas delivery, flat-tire services and battery jump-starts.
Regarding repair costs, the CPO Volkswagen warranty covers all parts and labor expenses after a $50 deductible.
How to Check If You Have a Volkswagen Warranty
If you purchased your Volkswagen from an individual seller rather than a dealership, you might not know if your car is still under warranty. The good news is that there are a few ways to figure it out. To check the status of your Volkswagen warranty, take the following steps:
- Locate your VIN. Your VIN, or vehicle identification number, should be printed on your car title or sometimes even in your owner’s manual. If neither of those options are successful, check your VW. Often, manufacturers place the VIN under the drivers-side windshield or on the inside panel of the drivers-side door.
- Call your Volkswagen dealer. After locating your VIN, give your VW dealer a call. If possible, contact the dealership from which the car was purchased. If you don’t have that information, you should be able to call any local retailer. Ask for a representative and explain that you’re looking for more information on your original Volkswagen warranty.
- Check CARFAX. If for some reason the dealer isn’t able to provide your warranty information, you may have some luck checking CARFAX. Sometimes vehicle history reports will also include details about a car’s original factory warranty and its expiration.
Is it Worth Getting a VW Extended Warranty?
The Volkswagen warranty is comprehensive, but it doesn’t last forever. To determine whether extended warranty coverage is right for you (and your budget), we recommend assessing your personal situation, your vehicle’s reliability and the repair costs you can expect with your VW.
When deciding on an extended car warranty, it helps to answer these questions:
- Can you pay for estimated repair costs outright? Some drivers can afford to pay for an emergency repair out of pocket, but many others cannot.
- How long do you see yourself owning your car? If you plan on trading in your new Volkswagen before the four-year warranty period ends, there’s little reason to invest in an extended warranty. However, a warranty can make a vehicle more attractive to an individual buyer.
While we can’t speak to your auto budget or your driving habits, we can jump-start your research on Volkswagen’s reliability.
RepairPal, a reliable cost estimation site that releases annual reliability scores for 32 car brands, gives Volkswagen a 3.5 out of 5.0 rating for its reliability, placing it above average. This rating takes into consideration three factors:
- Average annual repair cost
- Average number of unexpected trips to the repair shop per year
- The likelihood of a repair being classified as “severe,” or costing more than three times the average annual repair cost
Here’s how Volkswagen compares to the industry average in these three categories:
| RepairPal Factor | Volkswagen Average | Industry-Wide Average |
|---|---|---|
| Average Annual Repair Cost | $676 | $652 |
| Frequency of Unscheduled Repair Shop Visits | 0.5 visits per year | 0.4 visits per year |
| Probability of a Needed Repair Being Severe | 11% | 12% |
As you can see, Volkswagen is about on par with the industry average.
To give you a better picture of where Volkswagen’s annual repair expenses come from, here are a few common repair costs and their estimated prices, according to RepairPal.
| Volkswagen Model | Common Repair | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Volkswagen Rabbit | Brake booster replacement | $435 to $598 |
| Volkswagen Jetta | Timing belt idler pulley replacement | $846 to $1,024 |
| Volkswagen Passat | Air conditioner condenser replacement | $395 to $743 |
| Volkswagen Golf | Radiator fan assembly replacement | $772 to $796 |
If it wouldn’t set you back financially to cover these estimated repair costs as they arise, you may not need an extended Volkswagen warranty. However, if you wouldn’t be able to unexpectedly cover these costs, investing in an extended warranty may be a great choice for you.
When it comes to lengthening your Volkswagen warranty coverage, you have two options: Purchase a manufacturer-backed vehicle protection plan, or get a vehicle service contract from a third-party provider.
Volkswagen Extended Warranty Overview
To cover your vehicle after your original Volkswagen warranty expires, the manufacturer offers three extended warranty options: Powertrain, Gold and Platinum Volkswagen Protection Plans. The coverage can extend up to 10 years or 150,000 miles and covers parts and labor after an agreed deductible.
Each extended Volkswagen warranty plan comes with perks like 24-hour roadside assistance, towing services and rental car reimbursement. However, as with your original Volkswagen warranty, you will need to bring your car into a dealership for covered repairs.
For a complete look at the manufacturer’s protection plans, read our comprehensive Volkswagen extended warranty review.
Benefits of a Third-Party Extended Warranty
Manufacturers’ warranties aren’t the best decision for everyone. While they have their benefits, like vehicle-specific coverage, third-party providers can often be a more cost-effective option. Reputable extended car warranty companies offer flexibility in terms of price, repair shop availability and coverage plans.
While the Volkswagen warranty and extended warranty offer reasonable coverage for your car, your vehicle may have unique needs that these plans can’t meet. For example, finding an extended warranty for cars over 100,000 miles can prove difficult. Generally, manufacturers ask you to pay for an extended warranty at the time of the car’s purchase, or at least before the limited warranty expires. With a third-party provider, however, you can protect your vehicle at any point in its lifetime.
Regardless of what option you pursue, make sure to get quotes from multiple providers so you can compare pricing and determine what is right for you. We’ve reviewed the best extended car warranty companies currently available and recommend reading up on three in particular:
You can get free, personalized quotes from our top choices below.
Methodology
The Detroit Bureau collects data from every major car warranty provider to formulate rankings of the best warranty companies. Our in-depth rating system takes into account coverage, pricing, transparency, customer satisfaction and ratings from industry experts. Each provider is given a weighted score in five categories, as well as an overall score out of 10.0.
We recommend auto warranty companies based on these rankings, but we also encourage you to perform your own research and compare quotes to find the best coverage.
