Volkswagen Extended Warranty Overview
Volkswagen offers three extended warranty plans including Platinum, Gold, and Powertrain to protect your vehicle and shoulder the repair costs for parts.
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Motor1 Reviews Team Take:
- The Volkswagen extended warranty can cover up to 10 years/150,000 miles and offers three levels of coverage.
- Volkswagen owners pay about $676 per year for maintenance and repairs.
- Third-party extended warranty plans offer more flexibility and longer coverage limits.
If you’ve purchased a new or used Volkswagen vehicle, it may be covered by its original warranty. But if not, you may want to consider continuing coverage with a Volkswagen extended warranty for peace of mind. In this article, we’ll review what a VW extended warranty covers, what the differences between the 2019 and 2020 Volkswagen warranty are, and what options and alternatives to the VW warranties are available.
From Volkswagen to third-party companies, there are many extended warranty providers, and you need to know which ones offer the best protection. We’ve evaluated the best extended car warranty providers for extended coverage and compared them to Volkswagen’s extended plans.
What Is A Volkswagen Extended Car Warranty?
A Volkswagen extended warranty is a service contract between you and the manufacturer. It picks up the coverage after your VW factory warranty expires. In this contract, the provider agrees to pay for covered repairs and parts if a mechanical breakdown occurs.
The most significant difference between a factory warranty and an extended car warranty is that your manufacturer’s warranty comes with the vehicle at the time of the sale. A Volkswagen extended warranty is an optional purchase for peace of mind.
Volkswagen Extended Warranty Coverage
Volkswagen provides three extended warranty choices. You can pick from the Platinum, Gold, and Silver plans through the Volkswagen Drive Easy Program. They can last up to 10 years/150,000 miles. Below is a quick comparison between the three plans.
| Platinum | Gold | Powertrain | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Transmission | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Drive axle | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hybrid/electric components | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Climate control | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Shocks | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Suspension | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Fuel system | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Electrical system | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Steering | ✓ | ||
| Brakes | ✓ | ||
| CV Boots | ✓ | ||
| Navigation | ✓ | ||
| Audio | ✓ | ||
| High tech | ✓ |
Platinum Coverage
With the VW Drive Easy Platinum plan, you receive the same bumper-to-bumper coverage for a longer period. It covers any mechanical breakdown except for a list of exclusions. Things like damage from lack of maintenance, routine maintenance services, and wearable parts like brake pads, aren’t covered.
Gold Coverage
The VW Drive Easy Gold plan includes the powertrain along with the front and rear suspension. It also offers protection for the fuel system, electrical components, and climate control.
Powertrain Coverage
On the lower end of the spectrum is the VW Drive Easy Silver plan. This VW extended warranty only takes care of the basic parts, so the majority of repair costs aren’t covered. While there is protection for the transaxle, transfer case, engine, transmission, and drive axles, you won’t have coverage for the steering and electrical systems.
Volkswagen Extended Warranty Terms And Conditions
With each of Volkswagen’s coverage plans, there is a list of excluded items that include parts such as wipers, brakes, spark plugs, and upholstery.
You can choose your deductible, which is what you pay for a covered repair. Volkswagen offers options of $0, $100, and $250. It also offers a $100 disappearing deductible option. This reduces the deductible to $0 if you visit the dealership that sold you the plan. Otherwise, you pay $100.
Under most situations, the $100 disappearing deductible is the best option, unless you plan to move.
Volkswagen Extended Warranty Cost
While costs are not transparent for Volkswagen extended warranties, based on consumer reports online, prices for VW policies can be anywhere between $1,800 to $3,500. Prices might be higher or lower depending on the plan level you choose, coverage term, repair deductible, and your vehicle model and mileage.
Our team launched a survey in December 2023 to better understand vehicle owners’ experiences with extended warranties from vehicle manufacturers. When we polled Volkswagen drivers, they reported paying between $1,000 and $3,000 for varying levels of coverage.
Our cost data shows extended warranties from third-party providers cost about $812 per year of coverage. Quotes from automaker dealers also vary widely. To get more specific cost information for a Volkswagen warranty you’ll have to contact your local dealership. You can compare this to the quotes you get from Volkswagen to see if it’s a good deal.
Is The Volkswagen Extended Warranty Worth It?
Overall, Volkswagen has decent reliability ratings. RepairPal ranks it in 12th place among 32 brands for reliability. According to RepairPal, Volkswagen owners pay about $676 per year for maintenance and repairs. This is only a few dollars higher than the industry average of $652 per year.
That said, you’re sure to come across a few expensive repair bills if you own a Volkwagen long enough. Below are some repair costs for different models according to RepairPal.
| Volkswagen Model | Repair | Cost Estimate |
|---|---|---|
| Beetle | Catalytic converter replacement | $1,671 to $1,707 |
| Jetta | Suspension control arm bushings replacement | $217 to $283 |
| Golf R | AC Evaporator Replacement | $1,247 to $1,498 |
As your vehicle ages, the likelihood of repairs increases. According to the Director of Marketing at Endurance, Jessica Campbell, transmission replacements are the most common repairs on vehicles over 100,000 miles.
What Volkswagen Owners Say
In 2023, our team surveyed 1,000 people who had purchased extended warranties from their car’s manufacturer. These respondents came from across the U.S. and from different backgrounds. Out of the total, 15 respondents owned Volkwagens. While 15 isn’t a statistically significant number, it’s still interesting to see what these respondents said. Here are a few quotes from Volkswagen owners on their satisfaction (or not) with the extended warranty:
- “I am quite satisfied with my warranty coverage. I have used my warranty a few times and have had no problems getting repairs covered.”
- “[I am] very satisfied and used it a couple of times before I sold it.”
- “Not very [satisfied]. It’s way too expensive and doesn’t give me what I need.”
- “I haven’t had to use it yet, but it’s reassuring that it’s there in case I need it.”
Whether you get an extended plan from Volkswagen or another company, there’s always a chance you won’t use it or that some repairs will be denied. That’s why it’s important to read the fine print carefully before making a decision.
What Coverage Do You Already Have?
Volkswagen made some changes to its factory warranty in 2020. The current warranty includes 4 years/50,000 miles of bumper-to-bumper coverage (the most comprehensive protection) for new Volkswagen vehicles. This includes powertrain coverage.
The 4-year/50,000-mile warranty is a two-year reduction from the warranty for 2018 and 2019 vehicles, which was 6 years/72,000 miles long.
If you purchase a 2018 or 2019 model year, you still get the six-year warranty. What’s interesting is there are perks offered to consumers who forfeit these extra two years. While there are some oil changes thrown in, this might not provide as much bang for your buck when compared to the additional two years of coverage.
Volkswagen Extended Warranties: Bottom Line
A Volkswagen extended warranty plan can offer you protection for your vehicle’s parts, giving you peace of mind while on the road. There are a variety of coverage options to choose from depending on your needs and particular vehicle. However, there are also many other alternatives that may offer you better prices and coverage for your needs. We recommend researching on your own and comparing multiple providers to get the best deal for your vehicle protection needs.
You can start your search with our free warranty quote tool below.
Volkswagen Extended Warranty Alternatives
Aside from purchasing the VW Drive Easy warranty, there are several third-party options available to you. Purchasing from a third-party provider offers you several benefits. Third-party companies tend to have more affordable vehicle service protection plans because they aren’t bound to the manufacturer guidelines. This means you won’t need to go to the VW dealership, but can instead rely on your trusted mechanic to do the work. In addition, since the price won’t be rolled into your car payment, you would not pay interest on the total amount.
Our team surveyed 1,000 extended warranty customers and found that the most popular companies are Endurance, CarShield, and Carchex.
Volkswagen Extended Warranty Vs. Third-Party
It’s worth considering whether a third-party provider might have the best Volkswagen extended warranty option. We’d recommend considering reputable extended car warranty companies such as Carchex, Endurance, and CarShield as you look into ways to protect your Volkswagen.
| VW Extended Warranty | Carchex | Endurance | CarShield | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Start date | Any time | Any time | Any time | Any time |
| Max length of coverage | 10 years/150,000 miles | 10 years/250,000 miles | 8 years/200,000+ miles | 10 years/300,000 miles |
| # of plan options | 3 | 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Transferable | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Deductible | $100-$250 | $0-$100 | $0-$200 | $0-$200 |
| Trip interruption reimbursement | ✔ (except Calif. & N.Y.) | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Roadside assistance | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Repair network | Volkswagen dealership only | > 30,000 facilities nationwide | ASE-certified® repair facilities | ASE-certified® repair facilities |
| Cancellation policy | Any time, $50 fee | Refund if within 30 days | Refund if within 30 days | Refund if within 30 days |
| Availability | From local dealer | Free, instant quote | Free, instant quote | Free, instant quote |
Volkswagen Extended Warranty: FAQ
Below are some common frequently asked questions about Volkswagen extended warranties:
Is the Volkswagen extended warranty transferable?
That depends on what company you use, but most extended warranties are transferable to a second owner. Check all of the terms and conditions. For example, both Volkswagen and Carchex allow you to transfer your protection plan, but there is a $50 transfer fee.
How do I get the best price on a Volkswagen extended warranty?
The best approach is to shop around and get quotes from several providers. If you decide to purchase from a dealership, you should never allow it to roll into your financing. Instead, call several third-party companies to compare pricing and coverage options.
What extended auto warranty protection do I need?
With so many varying levels of protection, you want to carefully examine your options. Some people prefer to only cover the powertrain, which tends to have the highest cost associated with repairs. Still, an electrical component that fails could easily cost thousands for replacement. Look at your model vehicle and determine what you are willing to spend for repairs and what you want protection for.
Methodology
In an effort to provide accurate and unbiased information to consumers, our expert review team collects data from dozens of extended auto warranty companies to formulate rankings of the best providers. Companies receive a score in each of the following categories, as well as an overall weighted score out of 5.0 stars.
- Industry Standing: Warranty providers with a history of strong business practices and endorsements from experts receive the highest scores in this category.
- Coverage: This rating is based on types of extended warranty plans available, coverage terms, and added benefits like roadside assistance.
- Cost: Our research team reviews sample quotes for a variety of plans and vehicles. Companies with lower prices per year of coverage receive the best scores.
- Transparency: This score takes into account contract transparency and the availability of a money-back guarantee.
- Customer Service: We comb through customer reviews and perform our own shopper analysis to get a sense of the responsiveness and helpfulness of each warranty company.
*Data accurate at time of publication.
