New and used motorcycle warranties

Discover how a motorcycle warranty can put your breakdown worries at ease…

Written by

Motor insurance expert

Posted

20 MAY 2021

4 min read

What is a motorcycle warranty?

A motorcycle warranty is designed to help with the costs of repairing faults that may develop in your bike. Unlike motorbike insurance there’s no legal requirement to have a warranty in place.

With a warranty, you pay a monthly premium to cover the bills for fixing a range of mechanical and electrical problems. Faults covered by a warranty will vary depending on several factors, including the provider and the motorbike itself.

Warranties are available from manufacturers, independent dealers or through an after-market deal. And in most cases, you’ll need to pay an excess when making a claim.

What types of motorcycle warranty are there?

Motorcycle warranties can fall into one of three categories:

Manufacturers’ motorcycle warranty
Most new bikes come with a manufacturers’ warranty. These cover a set amount of time or a set number of miles, whatever comes first. You can buy an additional warranty if you find a deal that suits you better.

Independent dealer warranty
If you pick up a bike from an independent dealer or garage, they should be able to offer you their own warranty. Although the cover period is typically shorter than a manufacturers’ warranty on a new bike, you may be able to extend to a longer term – for an added price.

Extended motorcycle warranty
An after-market warranty or extended warranty is bought separately from a motorbike and can be arranged alongside a manufacturer’s or independent dealer’s warranty.

Are warranties available for used motorcycles?

Yes. A used bike can be covered by an independent dealer at the time of purchase, or by an after-market provider.

Some of these policies might be based on mileage rather than the age of the motorcycle.

When buying a used motorcycle from a dealer you’re also protected by the Consumer Rights Act. The dealer must ensure the bike:

is in satisfactory condition
meets its given description
is fit for purpose

If these requirements aren’t met you can ask for a refund, or for the dealer to cover the cost of repairs.

What affects the cost of a motorcycle warranty?

A number of factors affect the cost of a motorbike warranty:

the bike’s make and model
the bike’s age and/or mileage
the level of cover

When should I buy a motorbike warranty?

The best time to arrange a warranty for a motorbike is at the point of purchase. Many manufacturers offer warranties that last for several years for new bikes. Independent dealers offer shorter warranties on used bikes, with the option to extend the cover period for an added fee.

If your bike is out of warranty you should try to find an affordable deal that suits your needs. You don’t have to stick with an existing provider and can shop around for cover that best fits your budget.

What do I need to buy motorbike warranty?

As you might expect, you’ll need to provide details about the make and model of your motorcycle – including its age and mileage. Your address will also be needed to provide a quote.

If you’re buying an extended motorcycle warranty, the provider will probably need to see an MOT certificate and proof of a service history.

What’s covered by a motorcycle warranty?

Different warranties cover different mechanical and electrical breakdowns. However, most should help pay the repair bills for problems with:

Brakes
Casings
Clutch
Cooling system
Electrics
Engine
Frame
Front forks
Gearbox
Shaft drive unit
Suspension
Swinging arm

What isn’t covered by a motorcycle warranty?

Some of the most common problems that aren’t covered by a motorbike warranty include general wear and tear to tyres and bodywork, damage caused by leaking oil, or damage caused by an uninsured part. Clutch plates and parts damaged due to corrosion are typically left off policies too.

A warranty will also be invalidated if you fail to meet the conditions of your policy.

Can a motorcycle warranty transfer between different owners?

It depends on the terms of cover. Some policies will allow a warranty to transfer between owners, while others won’t.

A warranty will only remain valid if a bike is well maintained and its owner meets a set of conditions set by the provider. That’s why it’s important to check if cover is still valid when buying a second-hand motorbike.

And if you’re looking to save money on your motorbike insurance, shop around and compare quotes through Compare the Market. Quoting with us could be the best way to find a cheaper deal.