Volkswagen prides itself on quality German-engineered automobiles. Of course, while many VW cars are meant to last, like all cars, eventually a Volkswagen can and will break down. That’s why if you own one of their cars, whether it’s a Jetta, Passat, Golf, or even a classic Beetle, a Volkswagen extended warranty is incredibly important.

The German-based automaker was founded more than 80-years ago in Berlin and tasked with building an everyday road car for all types of drivers. And that has been a part of their brand for years. Every day a VW owner drives their vehicle, they deserve to drive with the peace of mind that their car won’t break down. Unfortunately, that just isn’t possible, as no matter how well Volkswagen makes a car, SUV, or crossover, it will eventually break down. But when this inevitability does happen, and the Volkswagen manufacturer’s warranty has expired, drivers are left liable to pay for all repairs out of pocket.

This means that anything that goes wrong after the VW original warranty expires is no longer Volkswagen’s responsibility to pay for. But there are options to, in ways, extend this Volkswagen warranty. Below are the coverage options available for new and pre-owned Volkswagen vehicles.

Volkswagen Factory Warranty Information

Volkswagen is known for several of the most famous automotive ad campaigns in history. Who can forget the Beetle ad with a yellow VW Beetle in a stark white background with only the word “Lemon” above it? It was an inside joke; the car looks like a lemon, and lemons also refer to a car with defects. Volkswagen was not saying its cars were defective. Instead, they are saying they feel so confident that they will work and last that they could safely make such a joke without tarnishing their brand. They’re so sure that their cars are well-made and almost devoid of flaws from the factory that they sell every new Volkswagen vehicle with a remarkable factory warranty.

In the first year of owning a new Volkswagen, the German automaker will pay for any and all replacement and customer-purchased parts that are covered by this plan. This is an industry-standard, as anything that would go out in the first year of ownership is almost certainly due to a manufacturer’s defect, as even wear and tear should not have begun at this point.

In addition to this, Volkswagen provides a limited standard warranty to every new car, SUV, or crossover. Know that there are some exclusions to this coverage, and Volkswagen is not responsible for any of the following:

• Replacing batteries
• Brake pads
• Wheel alignment
• Paint
• Wiper blades
• General mechanical adjustments due to driver errors

Note again that Volkswagen’s coverage is more of a promise. They are far less concerned about helping VW drivers deal with potential breakdowns, so much as making sure their cars do what they are supposed to do. And that is important to remember when considering extending your warranty options.

Volkswagen has been under more attention from the media as of late, and that is why they want to be extra diligent about the cars they make. But this does not mean that the German automaker is free from mistakes or that any vehicles that they manufacture going forward will be immune to any mechanical or electrical breakdowns.

A Deeper Look into Volkswagen’s Factory Warranty

• Volkswagen Basic Part Limited Warranty — This limited warranty covers the replacement of all components and customer-purchased parts on all new Volkswagen vehicles for the first year or 12,000 miles of ownership, whichever comes first.

• 6-year / 72,000-mile Bumper-to-Bumper Warranty —This basic warranty is the main warranty that covers the powertrain components of a VW vehicle. The powertrain components are the parts of a car that allow it to keep running and moving. These items include the engine, transmission, drive axle, and other related parts. Volkswagen provides this coverage for vehicles during the first 6 years or 72,000 miles of ownership, whichever comes first.

If those options sound limiting, that’s because they are. Instead, what VW does is charge an additional fee for the 1-year / 12,000-mile part limited warranty to be a 3-year / 36,000-mile new vehicle limited warranty if drivers wish to upgrade. Many Volkswagen drivers find this a bit off-putting, as rival automakers include this standard warranty coverage with their vehicles at no additional cost.

What Are the Limits of the Volkswagen Manufacturer’s Warranty?

Whether you buy a new or used Volkswagen, as the years go by, Volkswagen owners become less and less protected. And the longer they keep their cars, the cost to repair those cars will only go up. Volkswagen owners are vulnerable to major ticket repairs after 6 years or 72,000 miles, which goes by faster than one would think.

Volkswagen parts and replacements tend to be priced higher than those in similar vehicle segments. This is because the parts for Volkswagen cars only work on Volkswagen vehicles. They are special that way. Of course, that does not mean other auto service repair facilities do not have access to VW parts; it just means VW would prefer you work directly with them for convenience’s sake, even if it costs the driver more than shopping around. As part of your Volkswagen manufacturer warranty contract, you are required to bring your vehicle to a VW dealership or affiliated repair facility for any repairs.

There’s a quality build and long-lasting nature to every Volkswagen vehicle that any driver would feel tempted to stay within the VW network even after the factory warranty expires. However, if they do that, they will be missing out on the vast offers that third-party providers, like Endurance, can offer drivers. It is for this reason that all Volkswagen owners should instead supplement the quality service they get from Volkswagen with extended coverage from a reputable third-party provider.

What Are the Volkswagen Manufacturer Warranty Options for Used Vehicles?

If you have a used or pre-owned Volkswagen, your options are a little more limited. The big issue is that you now only have a 5-year / 60,000-mile Volkswagen powertrain limited warranty. VW owners benefit the most from some sort of Volkswagen extended auto warranty, given the strict year and mileage limitations that come from the German automaker’s manufacturer warranties.

Extended Warranties for Used, Certified Pre-Owned, and New Volkswagen Cars

Even after public scandals hit their reputation, Volkswagen cars are still known for their build quality and long-lasting nature. To this day, the late 90s Jetta makes the list of “Top Starter Cars For New Drivers” according to a recent AutoBlog article.

And it goes without saying that if a driver purchases a new Volkswagen, they probably plan to keep it longer than the 6 years and 72,000 miles of coverage that the VW manufacturer’s warranty provides. That leaves drivers with potentially 128,000 future miles without any sort of coverage plan protecting them from increasingly expensive breakdown repair costs.

How Much Does a Volkswagen Extended Auto Warranty Cost?

Two of the top-selling Volkswagen vehicles are the Tiguan crossover and the Golf. According to drivers and research from JD Power, the VW models are the most reliable cars in its lineup. Unfortunately, the Golf is about to be discontinued, so the only Golf cars you will be able to get going forward will be a used or certified pre-owned one. New models will be rare.

It doesn’t affect the renowned lifespan of these cars, but it does mean you are less likely to have comprehensive coverage from VW for their cars. This holds especially true for each passing model year.

As noted by Consumer Reports, the most common Volkswagen repairs not only come after 6 years but also at a high price due to the uncommon nature of VW-compatible parts. That’s a big limit to the scope of Volkswagen’s factory coverage plan.

Auto industry insiders refer to breakdowns as “the unexpected.” No matter how confident an automaker can be in their product, even Volkswagen, every vehicle will break down.

Common Repairs on Popular Volkswagen Vehicles

• Golf – Transmission Repair
• Jetta – Head Gasket Replacement
• Passat – Alternator Replacement
• Tiguan – Power Pump Steering

Those repairs may not seem like a big deal, but let’s take a look at what those and other, more generally common breakdown repairs would typically cost. In our example, we’re using a Jetta, since it is one of their highest-rated cars according to Consumer Reports:

Repair Costs for Most Volkswagen Common Repairs (VW Jetta)

Volkswagen has worked hard over the last few years to ensure top-level manufacturing quality. And they never want to be in the news for anything negative regarding their manufacturing standards, after the diesel engine scandal that still continues to make headlines. Of course, there’s only so much they can do; every car will break down, no matter how much better automakers get at making them.

The costs for fixing a Volkswagen will only go up as they continue to live up to their promise of acclaimed German engineering.

Once the manufacturer warranty coverage from Volkswagen ends, every VW owner is driving with unnecessary risk. That risk comes from not knowing just how long these cars will last, but also being unprotected in case of breakdowns. No car is immune, let alone Volkswagen ones that see many miles on them.

Whenever the Volkswagen limited powertrain or basic warranty expires, VW owners are responsible for the major repairs that will occur the longer they continue to drive it. And for most owners, that’s probably going to be quite a long time. The cost for these repairs can begin in the high hundreds and upwards of thousands, and this is an expense that no VW driver would reasonably expect. But it inevitably happens. Volkswagen drivers should never leave themselves open to the high cost of repair bills and should consider protection.

More About the VW Factory Warranty

Shopping for Volkswagen Extended Car Warranties

Volkswagen owners are a diverse group. Every car in their lineup seems to hit a different demographic. The Beetle is for first-time drivers, the Passat is for young professionals, the Jetta is for college students, the Tiguan is for outdoor hobbyists, and the Golf is for European sports fans. There’s a Volkswagen for everyone. And that’s why there should be a Volkswagen protection plan that will suit ever Volkswagen driver’s unique driving habits and coverage needs. This holds especially true once VW’s general factory warranty comes to an end.

Unlike an automaker, the options that come provided by third-party companies can go further and be fully customizable. VW protection plans can cover the same exact repairs that Volkswagen’s manufacturer’s warranty was made to and potentially more, depending on what your Volkswagen car, SUV, or hatchback qualifies for.

Third-party companies, like Endurance, have made it their business to continue to protect Volkswagen drivers from the high cost of repairs and eventual vehicle breakdowns. Endurance also strives to exist as an option for when the terms of a factory warranty seem so inflexible for drivers.

Endurance can go beyond the scope of Volkswagen warranties when it comes to providing all-new and used Volkswagen drivers coverage that includes:

• Flexible Coverage Terms potentially up to 10 years or 150,000 miles.
• Accepted by Any ASE Certified Mechanic, Not Just Volkswagen Service Centers.
• 24/7 Roadside Assistance for Complete Peace of Mind Behind the Wheel.

An additional benefit that might interest Volkswagen owners is being able to transfer their coverage. We know that VW drivers love passing their vehicles down to friends and relatives. But remember, that this limited coverage is only for the first few years of ownership, which VW drivers are unlikely to sell their cars before then.

But Volkswagen protection plans from Endurance are also fully transferable. Whoever the next driver is who inherits your pre-owned Volkswagen will have the same protection that you did.

Extended Volkswagen Warranty or Direct Coverage from Endurance?

European automakers tend to be a cut above the rest when it comes to building and maintaining a reputation. Volkswagen is no different. That’s why their warranty is all about confidence in their product. This is also why Endurance set about to offer coverage options for VW owners that will only add to their peace of mind.

VW owners can drive safely knowing that not only will their car last, but any of those unfortunate mechanical breakdown repairs will also be taken care of by Endurance after the VW manufacturer warranty expires. The sooner a VW driver looks into extended vehicle protection, the less likely they are to experience a lapse in coverage and the more likely they are to be completely protected from expensive auto repairs at the best possible price.

Benefits of Endurance Volkswagen Protection Plans

Endurance has been in the business for decades! We are a leading provider of vehicle service contracts, commonly referred to as extended auto warranties. When you work directly with Endurance instead of your local VW dealership, you’ll have several advantages beyond an award-winning company giving you peace of mind:

• Payment options for any budget
• Award-winning customer service
• Your choice of a licensed mechanic
• Claims are paid directly to the repair centers
• A risk-free 30-day trial period with a money-back guarantee

What Is Covered with a Volkswagen Extended Car Warranty?

The quality of Volkswagen vehicles has only gone up since they rebranded their reputation. That’s why Endurance feels comfortable working with VW owners to keep these great cars up and running for however long they want to keep them.

Whether you are the type of VW driver who prefers the old-school Beetle from Herbie the Lovebug series or a brand-new Passat with a luxurious new Bose sound system, every driver deserves the opportunity to save thousands on car repairs. Endurance concentrates on vehicle protection, and this focus gives the company the ability to go beyond what automakers usually offer, with fully customizable contracts that will consider the unique driving habits and coverage needs of every individual VW driver.

Coverage from Endurance can cover repairs for the following components:

• Air Conditioner
• Brake Systems
• Cooling System
• Drive Axle Assembly
• Electronic Components
• Engine
• Front & Rear Suspension
• Fuel System
• Transfer Unit
• Transmission
• Turbocharger / Supercharger

Volkswagen Models that Qualify for Volkswagen Extended Auto Warranty Coverage:

More About the VW Factory Warranty

Volkswagen has one of the most interesting histories among German automakers. It’s definitely a story worth reading upon. If you wish to learn even more about their cars, and the ways they make and protect them, feel free to check out all of the sites we have listed below. Every Volkswagen driver is different but they all deserve to know the ins and outs of their car and what it will experience as they continue to drive it for a long time. And no one, VW owners especially, should be forced to pay directly out of pocket for repairs that too experienced. So look up all the information and buy with knowing that Endurance will continue to protect your automobile for the road ahead.

• Volkswagen Customer Service Phone Number: 1-800-521-0171
• Volkswagen Company Website: VW.com
• New/Used Volkswagen Auto Recalls: VW.com/recalls
• General Recalls, Problems, and Defects: NHTSA.gov/Recalls
• Volkswagen Owner Reviews: ConsumerReports.com/Volkswagen

FAQs: Volkswagen Extended Warranty

Can my Volkswagen vehicle be serviced anywhere?

Endurance provides well-rounded coverage for both new and used Volkswagen vehicles, allowing you to take your car to any certified mechanic! As long as the location you prefer is certified and accepts Endurance, you are good to go!

What repairs are covered by an extended warranty?

The amount of coverage differs depending on the plan you go with. Our extended warranties can cover everything from the engine, fuel, transmission, cooling systems, electrical, and more. Endurance has an option that is suitable for everyone and provides payment plans. Learn more about each plan we offer, which also includes sample contracts with full details.

What types of charges would not be covered by Endurance?

For full details about our plans, visit our coverage page, which outlines the amount of coverage for each one and links to sample contracts that outline what is covered by us.

What’s the difference between an extended warranty from a dealer and Endurance?

Our amazing Endurance Elite Benefits! Aside from being the direct administrator of most of the plans we offer, these benefits provide our customers with added protection. Get the Elite program free for one year, including tire repair and replacement, windshield repair, key fob replacement, and more.

How do I get a quote for an extended car warranty?

You can request a quote on the Endurance homepage by easily entering your vehicle information, phone number, and email to get a free quote in as little as minutes!