Are Tyres Covered Under Car Warranty?

Wondering if your car warranty covers tyre damage? You’re not alone. This guide explains why tyres are usually excluded from warranty cover, what parts are protected, and how to safeguard your tyres from wear and unexpected costs. Learn the smartest ways to protect your investment on the road.

Any large purchase tends to be backed by a warranty from the manufacturer. This represents a promise from that manufacturer to cover the cost of repairs that are needed within a specific timeframe after purchase.

In the vehicle and car maintenance market, a warranty typically covers any mechanical or electrical issues which impact the car for a period after purchase. The purpose is to give the buyer peace of mind regarding the quality and upkeep of their vehicle, by protecting them from having to personally fork out for repair work within the first few years of ownership.

NOTE: In the car market specifically, warranty tends to be determined by years of ownership, or a set distance travelled – whichever comes first. So, if you were to drive thousands of miles within the first year of ownership, the warranty may not last as long in terms of years owner, as the maximum distance under warranty will be met first.

While vehicle warranty tends to cover electrical and mechanical issues, what’s the process with tyre damage? Are tyres covered under the warranty of a vehicle or do drivers need to consider the cost of new tyres as part of their insurance?

Are Tyres a Part of Your Warranty Agreement?

The short answer to this is no.

This is because tyres are considered a serviceable component of the vehicle, which is heavily impacted by driving behaviour and by the condition of the surface that you drive on. Tyres naturally wear over time, with some behaviours and surfaces causing them to wear more quickly. This makes putting a warranty timeline on tyres particularly difficult – and almost impossible to make 100% fair. 

What Does Car Warranty Cover?

As above, tyres are not covered under traditional car warranty – and neither are brake pads, the clutch, wiper blades, and exhausts, for all the same reasons.

Car warranty will usually, however, cover air conditioning, electrics, transmission faults, the brakes themselves, and the engine.

Tips for Protecting Your Tyre Investment

Suffice to say, when it comes to protecting your tyre investment and ensuring that you don’t lose out should you suffer a puncture due to a pothole or uneven road surface, warranty isn’t something that you can rely on.

Not only does the car warranty tend to exclude tyres, but most drivers will also find that a tyre warranty is not particularly comprehensive. This is because even dedicated tyre warranty usually excludes any normal wear, as well as accidental damage caused by road surfaces and obstacles.

Tyre warranty only really covers incorrect fitting or pre-existing damage to the tyre before it was fitted to your car – making it difficult to prove.

Should you be concerned about how to navigate tyre damage on the road, the best advice we can share is to insure your whole vehicle against accidental damage – and always make sure you have a spare tyre or repair kit to hand for when you need it.  

It’s also well worth familiarising yourself with the process of browsing and ordering new tyres from Tyres.co.uk – a leading UK supplier of tyres from all manufacturers, available for excellent prices and with tons of support from the team.