Everything taken care ofSubaru

Subaru has canned its "Everything Taken Care of" (ETCo) maintenance package, citing a lack of demand.

A release from the firm states that vehicles purchased on or after January 1, 2013 will no longer be eligible for the programme – suggesting that many prospective owners found it a less attractive option than a longer warranty period.

In its place, Subaru are offering just that – a more extensive warranty. Now five-year/100,000 mile against the three-year/60,000 mile one on offer before, the new terms apply to all models bar the high performance WRX STI, which keeps the old age and mileage restrictions. The firm's anti-corrosion warranty of 12 years also remains unchanged.

The "Everything Taken Care of" scheme – recently included for free – meant that new Subarus came with a considerable list of added-value extras – including free dent, scratch and alloy wheel repair; free key replacement; service collection and delivery.

Buyers even received free MOT tests and £300 of cover in repairs should the car need work to pass, and three years' worth of free valeting should they wish to use it. Figures given by the firm at the scheme's launch suggested it was worth as much as £7,000 in benefits.

The cancellation only affects new customers, however – those who already bought a car with the ETCo will still be entitled to its benefits.