What it covers, part by part
Tap a part of the car to see what the RAC warranty pays for there, and what it doesn’t.
Tap a part of the car
Every car
Six months RAC warranty
Tap a part of the car, or pick one from the list, to see what the warranty pays for there and what it doesn’t.
Covered
Engine
What it pays for
- Cylinder block and bores
- Crankshaft, bearings and connecting rods
- Pistons and rings
- Cylinder head and head gasket
- Camshafts, valves and valve gear
- Oil pump and oil cooler
- Inlet manifold
- Timing chain, gears and tensioner
- Flywheel
- Timing belt, if it was changed when it was due
What it doesn’t
- Cracks or porosity in the block or head
- Engine mountings and brackets
- Spark plugs and glow plugs
- Filters
- Auxiliary drive belts
- Damage caused by carbon build-up
Covered
Gearbox
What it pays for
- Manual: gears, shafts, synchro hubs, selectors and bearings
- Automatic: internal gears, oil pump, clutches and brake bands
- Automatic: torque converter and valve block
- CVT and semi-automatic: internal clutches, actuators and pulleys
What it doesn’t
- Faults that were already there when the cover started
- Damage from carrying on driving with a known fault
Covered
Clutch
What it pays for
- Centre plate and pressure plate
- Thrust bearing and release fork
- Clutch cable
- Master and slave cylinders
What it doesn’t
- A clutch that has simply worn out with age and mileage
- A clutch that has been burnt out
Covered
Driveshafts and differential
What it pays for
- Driveshafts and CV joints
- Crown wheel and pinion
- Differential gears and bearings
- Propshaft and universal joints, where fitted
- 4x4 transfer unit internals, where fitted
What it doesn’t
- Accident damage
- Corrosion
Covered
Brakes
What it pays for
- Brake calipers
- Master cylinder and wheel cylinders
- Brake servo and vacuum pump
- ABS unit, pump and sensors
- Traction and stability control
What it doesn’t
- Brake discs
- Brake pads
- Brake shoes and linings
Discs and pads wear out in normal use, so no warranty covers them.
Covered
Steering
What it pays for
- Steering rack and pinion, or steering box
- Power steering pump, motor and reservoir
- Steering column
What it doesn’t
- Wheel alignment and tracking
Covered
Suspension
What it pays for
- Shock absorbers and struts
- Coil springs
- Wishbones and suspension arms
- Ball joints
- Anti-roll bar
What it doesn’t
- Oil leaks from hydraulic suspension
Covered
Cooling and air con
What it pays for
- Radiator
- Water pump and thermostat
- Heater matrix
- Electric cooling fan and its sensor
- Air con compressor, condenser and evaporator
What it doesn’t
- Rubber hoses and pipes
- Antifreeze, unless a covered part failed
- Re-gassing the air con
Covered
Fuel system
What it pays for
- Fuel pump, mechanical or electric
- Fuel injectors
- Fuel system sensors
What it doesn’t
- Fuel tank and fuel lines
- Cleaning out contaminated or wrong fuel
Covered
Electrics
What it pays for
- Starter motor and alternator
- Engine, gearbox, steering and ABS control units
- Ignition coil and engine sensors
- Window, wiper, heater fan and central locking motors
- Instrument cluster, switches and relays
- Horn and cruise control
- Key fobs, up to a set amount
What it doesn’t
- Battery
- Bulbs, lamps and lenses
- Fuses and wiring
- Software updates
- Airbags
Covered
Turbo
What it pays for
- The turbocharger, if the car left the factory with one
What it doesn’t
- Failures caused by carbon build-up, including the vanes and wastegate
- Damage from something drawn into the turbo
Not covered
Exhaust
Not covered
- The whole exhaust system
- Failing the emissions part of an MOT
Not covered
Wheels and tyres
Not covered
- Tyres
- Wheels
- Wheel alignment and balancing
Every advisory, tyres included, is fixed before you collect the car.
Not covered
Body and interior
Not covered
- Bodywork and paint
- Glass and seals
- Trim, handles and hinges
- Seats, carpets and seat belts
- Wiper arms and blades
Covered
Not covered
From the RAC Approved Dealer warranty terms. Which level of cover a car gets depends on its age and mileage, and the booklet for your car is what counts. Each part is covered for one repair, and the car needs servicing on time for claims to be paid.
What a warranty is for
However well a car has been looked after, parts can still fail. If a part covered by the warranty has an unexpected mechanical failure, the warranty can pay towards the repair.
What’s included with every car
- 6 months comprehensive RAC warranty, subject to the car’s age and mileage.
- 12 months RAC breakdown cover, issued with the car.
- The option to extend the warranty beyond six months. Ask us for the price for your car.
If something goes wrong
Ring us first, before anybody starts work on the car. Most warranties need the repair approved before it begins, so a bill you have already agreed to elsewhere may not be paid. Ask to see the booklet for your car before you buy and we’ll go through it with you.