Warranty Eligibility Seeking Advice

[scooby11]

Hi all,

I’m considering purchasing a 4 Series BMW that’s around 10 years old with just under 30,000 miles on the clock. The BMW dealer is offering a 2-year extended warranty, but it’s through RAC—not BMW directly.

The RAC booklet states eligibility as 8 years or 80,000 miles, whichever comes first. However, the dealer insists that since the car has only done 30,000 miles, the warranty will cover everything except wear-and-tear items.

I’m feeling quite unsure and confused. Does anyone have experience or insight into how RAC interprets the 8 years / 80,000 miles clause versus a car that’s 10 years old but low mileage? Is this warranty genuinely valid in such a case?

Any thoughts or advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks so much,

[bennno]

sorry you've already asked and answered this yourself.

[scooby11]

Yes and No

If I looked at the policy booklet, I would have said I am not covered. On the other hand BMW dealer is saying, I will be covered, don't worry about the car being 10 years old but only has done 30k.

[sortedcossie]

Which dealer? I can't say I've ever heard of one offering anything but the usual Allianz based one.

[scooby11]

Group 1 in South

I am taking finance out with the dealer. So the warranty is offered by the finance company via Group 1 dealer

Edited by scooby11 on Tuesday 16th September 12:49

[Jader1973]

It’s not eligible because it is over 8 years old.

[scooby11]

Hi all,

Quick update—I called the Group 1 RAC number to clarify the warranty eligibility for a 10-year-old BMW 4 Series with just under 30,000 miles.

The representative said the warranty can be valid if the dealer manually includes a clause stating that the car is 10 years old but qualifies due to its low mileage. However, this seems to contradict the standard RAC booklet wording, which specifies 8 years or 80,000 miles—whichever comes first.

So I’m still unsure. Is this kind of manual override common practice? Has anyone had experience with a dealer adding such a clause and RAC honoring it later during a claim?

I’d really appreciate any insights or examples—just trying to avoid surprises if something goes wrong and the warranty is challenged.

Thanks again,.

[MitchT]

Is it an Approved Used BMW? If so, it should come with a 12 month BMW warranty which can then be renewed with the Allianz backed BMW Insured comprehensive warranty at the end of the 12 months. If the car isn't eligible to be sold as an Approved Used BMW it might still be elligible for the Allianz backed BMW Insured comprehensive warranty. If so, insist on that. If they won't supply the car with that, purchase that warranty yourself and tell the dealer to stick the RAC one and to drop the price of the car accordingly. Don't waste your time with the RAC warranty. Trustpilot is your friend.

[scooby11]

It is an approved BMW.

I will speak with them now and see what they say.

Thank you all for your answers. I will update you in the afternoon.

FYI - Although it says RAC policy, it is supplied by Assurant.

[MitchT]

If it's an Approved Used BMW it should come with a Comprehensive BMW Warranty for Year 1. So, by "two year extended warranty", are they meaning a two year RAC warranty for years 2 and 3? If the car is the pukka "Approved Used BMW" then there's no reason why you won't be able to renew with the proper Allianz backed Comprehensive BMW warranty when the first year runs out, unless you fail to have it serviced in line with the manufacturer's recommendations. There's no age limit on the Allianz BMW warranty. The premium goes up at 60k miles and they won't cover cars with over 100k miles but that sounds like quite a while into the future. Don't bother with the extension unless it's a proper BMW warrranty. I'd sooner have some money off the car and buy the proper BMW warranty when the time comes.

[Jamescrs]

sortedcossie said:

Which dealer? I can't say I've ever heard of one offering anything but the usual Allianz based one.

I’m guessing they are selling it outside of being used approved and hence this warranty situation.

OP I think the salesman is trying to blag you here, the simple answer is call RAC warranty and see what they say but I’d be certain at the first claim they will say no coverage and the salesman will deny the conversation took place, or will have moved on elsewhere.

[raspy]

scooby11 said:

Hi all,

Quick update I called the Group 1 RAC number to clarify the warranty eligibility for a 10-year-old BMW 4 Series with just under 30,000 miles.

The representative said the warranty can be valid if the dealer manually includes a clause stating that the car is 10 years old but qualifies due to its low mileage. However, this seems to contradict the standard RAC booklet wording, which specifies 8 years or 80,000 miles whichever comes first.

So I m still unsure. Is this kind of manual override common practice? Has anyone had experience with a dealer adding such a clause and RAC honoring it later during a claim?

I d really appreciate any insights or examples just trying to avoid surprises if something goes wrong and the warranty is challenged.

Thanks again,.

Always get everything in writing over email etc even if someone has verbally confirmed on the phone, especially if what they have told you over the phone contradicts what the official warranty booklet states.

[mmm-five]

My F31 was 9 years and 45,000 miles old when I bought it...and it came with an AUC Warranty - although the dealer, Group 1 also, tried to force me to take out their own extended warranty there and then (or lose the opportunity to do so). But I spoke to BMW Warranty and their price was better anyway, and covered European breakdown (the Group1 warranty didn't).

BMW AUC Salesperson's guide misconceptions section said:

This car is too old to be sold as a BMW Approved Used Car.
Incorrect. As long as a vehicle has a full service history and the services were performed at
the correct intervals it can be sold under the terms of the programme at any age and mileage.

[Ry.Clarke]

You will struggle to ever get anything paid out as it frankly quite clearly does not qualify, regardless of whatever nonsense the dealer does to get it through.

Further, RAC warranty is useless anyway. Proceed as though its doesnt have a warranty.

[rlg43p]

Read the RAC terms VERY carefully.

A few years ago I bought a BMW 640d SE from a used car dealer in Exeter.

Shortly after I received the car all the lights on the RHS failed. It took a long time to diagnose the cause - RAC would not pay ANYTHING for labour related to the process of diagnosis and the limit they would pay out in total was £1,000.

The repair cost over £2k. Fortunately the dealer did the honourable thing and paid out the difference between what RAC would pay and the true cost.

IMO the RAC warranty isn't worth st if you have anything potentially complex like your proposed BMW purchase.

[OverSteery]

rlg43p said:

Read the RAC terms VERY carefully.

A few years ago I bought a BMW 640d SE from a used car dealer in Exeter.

Shortly after I received the car all the lights on the RHS failed. It took a long time to diagnose the cause - RAC would not pay ANYTHING for labour related to the process of diagnosis and the limit they would pay out in total was £1,000.

The repair cost over £2k. Fortunately the dealer did the honourable thing and paid out the difference between what RAC would pay and the true cost.

IMO the RAC warranty isn't worth st if you have anything potentially complex like your proposed BMW purchase.

All credit to the dealer, but it sounds like it was his legal responsibility!

I suspect the main value of the warranty is to distract the buyer from going back to the dealer who is often legally responsible.

[scooby11]

Hi all

I was limited to 5 posts yesterday. Thank you for all your responses.

BMW Sales manager has a real attitude problem. I’ve placed the deposit because I’m genuinely interested in the vehicle, but I want to be clear that my decision to proceed is contingent on one key point: the warranty.

I am specifically requesting the BMW Warranty extension—not the RAC Warranty. After our discussions, I believe to be standard for BMW Approved Used vehicles.

So big question, do I go with this or not?

[mmm-five]

scooby11 said:

Hi all

I was limited to 5 posts yesterday. Thank you for all your responses.

BMW Sales manager has a real attitude problem. I ve placed the deposit because I m genuinely interested in the vehicle, but I want to be clear that my decision to proceed is contingent on one key point: the warranty.

I am specifically requesting the BMW Warranty extension not the RAC Warranty. After our discussions, I believe to be standard for BMW Approved Used vehicles.

So big question, do I go with this or not?

They're offering their own, because it costs them less and makes them more profit.

If you don't like it, just say no. Assuming you're still getting the first 12m of BMW AUC Warranty...if not, it means it's not up to AUC standards and they're selling it as 'BMW Used' not 'BMW Approved Used'.

[darreni]

Get the approved used BMW warranty or look for another car.

[Richard-390a0]

Why pay official BMW dealer price for the car if you're not going to get the benefit of the official BMW AUC warranty?.

Especially on a 10yr old diesel that's only done 30k miles...