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No one likes to think their new car could go wrong – but they do! And chances are if something does go pop it’ll cost you a fortune to fix. A blown head gasket can be cripplingly expensive to rectify and without a warranty you’ll need to find the cash before you can get back on the road.

Most new cars come with three-years manufacturers’ cover and some go even further – Kia, for example, offers an incredible seven-year warranty on the c’eed. If you’re buying a car from a dealer – new or used – you’re likely to be offered a number of warranty options.

But it’s worth remembering you don’t have to take the dealer’s cover: they get a cut of the cost, so it might be cheaper and easier to arrange cover privately off your own back. Think of a warranty as insurance against the unforeseen – no matter how many checks you make on a used car there is always the threat of the unknown.

Used car warranties are different to the cover from car manufacturers on new vehicles in a number of ways – most notably the used one won’t be transferable to another owner if you sell the car on. Most policies have a number of clauses about what and what’s not covered too, so make sure you check the small print carefully.

Often there will be strict rules on how, where and when you get your car serviced to keep the cover valid. And if you drive a sportscar or imported model there may be other clauses to watch out for too.

All policies will generally do the same thing, but to varying degrees – all dependent on how much you want to spend in the first place. Basic cover will pay for the repairs of major mechanical components such as engines, gearboxes, suspension and key electrical parts.

More expensive packages will cover complex parts, such as more complicated electronics, while the best packages will include pretty much everything. It’s for this reason that you’ll find the more inclusive packages are only usually available on newer, lower-mileage cars. Warranties become less inclusive the older or higher-mileage the car.

One best piece of advice would be to study the small print very carefully. You’ll find everything that’s listed is covered – and everything that isn’t won’t be! It will also tell you how soon you can claim after taking out the policy, whether there is a limit to the number of claims you can make, and if you can choose your own garage to undertake repairs.

You will have to show evidence that your car has been recently serviced and MOT’d if you claim though. Wear and tear exclusions are common and mean you won’t get a pay out if a part has simply failed as it’s got too old for the job. Equally you won’t get cash if you’ve neglected your car – so stick to the servicing schedule!

Tyre Insurance
Getting a puncture is bad enough, but then you’ve got the hassle and expense of replacing the rubber to look forward to! Modern tyres may be less susceptible than their predecessors to deflating, but they’re also far more expensive to renew.

If the cost of an unexpected new set of boots worries you, there is cover available. Tyre insurance is sold by a number of warranty providers and will help meet the cost of an unexpected visit to Kwik Fit.

How much you’ll get varies depending on your policy, but usually accidental damage or attacks by vandals are included. If you suffer either of these you’ll be able to claim for the cost of repair or replacement. Puncture cover usually stretches to a set payment towards repair and you can even get cash to help meet the expense of calling for help at the roadside if you haven’t already got breakdown cover.

MOT Insurance
Rolling up for the dreaded MOT test can be a heart in the mouth moment – will it pass or will you end up with a crippling bill? If you’d rather avoid the worry factor when you take your car for the test, consider MOT insurance.

Provided that you’ve complied with your policy’s terms and conditions regarding the upkeep of your vehicle, this cover will contribute to the cost of repair or replacement of broken parts that caused your car to fail its MOT.

There’s usually a set limit as to how much you can claim and a list of parts that are included will be laid out in your policy, but lighting, electrical, steering, suspension, braking, fuel, seating and security aspects will usually be included. How much you pay for cover will depend largely on the age of your car and, as with all insurance, it’s worth hunting around for the best price.

A little TLC
On newer cars it is worth looking out for servicing warranties. MINI tlc, for example, offers paid-for servicing for five years or 50,000 miles. All you shell out for are wear and tear items. Many other manufacturers are offering free servicing deals on new cars, which are normally fully transferable to subsequent owners too.

They are a good buy because it removes a major expense of running a car. Typical servicing can be £150 for basic cars – fail to get it done and you’ll invalidate the warranty. And it ensures your car will last longer.