BUDGET-FRIENDLY CAR MAKER DACIA LAUNCHES SEVEN-YEAR WARRANTY - AND IT'S AVAILABLE FOR USED VEHICLES TOO

Dacia, the popular budget-friendly car maker, has launched a new warranty programme offering up to seven years cover for cars - even those that are already on the road and have likely racked up thousands of miles.

The Romanian manufacturer - now part of the Renault Group - has introduced a new scheme that adds to its existing three-year/60,000-mile warranty.

Called Dacia Zen, it provides cover for up to seven years, as long as the owner has the vehicle serviced each year to allow for the warranty to roll-on.

And it's not just for new models - those with Dacia under six years old and less than 75,000 miles can get it too.

When a Dacia reaches the end of its standard three-year warranty, customers who have their car serviced at a franchised retailer every 12 months (or 18,000 miles, whichever comes first) will benefit from another year of extended cover. 

For existing Dacia drivers with older models, the maker says that owners won't be penalised if they have used non-official retailers to maintain the car in the past, just as long as the car has been serviced annually.

The warranty covers the cost and repair of most main defects that haven't resulted from the vehicle being in an accident.

And it will be available for Dacia's first electric vehicle (EV), the Spring, which arrives later this year.

While Dacia's Zen programme is mightily impressive for a low-cost car maker, it's not market leading.

Suzuki offers a similar 'Service Activated Warranty', which provides rolling annual cover after each scheduled service at a retailer, up until the car turns seven years old or reaches 100,000 miles. 

Kia and MG also both have seven-year/100,000-mile warranties, while Peugeot offers eight years/100k miles.

The longest warranties of all are available from Japanese sister brands Lexus and Toyota and a colossal 10 years or 100k miles.

Like Dacia Zen, these warranties all require servicing to be carried out at a main dealer. 

By doing so, manufacturers can guarantee an after-sale revenue stream and by using certified parts should improve the reliability of their vehicles.

'Dacia Zen offers a level of protection that is near to that of a new car warranty, even though it can be applied to vehicles that have been on the road for several years and clocked up thousands of miles,' the company says.

And Steve Whitcombe, head of Dacia UK aftersales, adds: 'Owning a Dacia is all about adventure, but that doesn't mean that owners should have to worry about the unexpected. 

'The reliability and durability of our vehicles is well documented, but Dacia Zen gives our customers even more reassurance. 

'In the unlikely event of an issue, Dacia Zen means they won't have to pay out for any repairs and can spend the money on the things that they really want and enjoy.'

2024-04-16T12:31:26Z dg43tfdfdgfd