Skoda makes five-year warranty standard across range

Skoda is offering customers a late Christmas gift with the previously optional two year warranty extension now standard for every model in its commercial and passenger vehicle ranges.

All vehicles are now covered by the warranty for five years with commercial vehicles limited to 150,000km during the half decade period, while passenger models are protected for unlimited travel distance.

Coverage is unchanged with only original Skoda parts used for warranty repairs, roadside assistance included for the full five years and no excess or limit applied to warranty claims. The new five-year deal can also be transferred to a new owner if the vehicle is sold within the warranty time.

Under the previous arrangement, customers who wanted to extend their warranty to five years were asked for an additional $999 if buying the Fabia compact hatch, $1399 in the case of the Rapid small car, Octavias required a further $1599 investment, while the Superb flagship cost an extra $1699.

The new deal is likely to boost Australian sales of the Czech brand which had its best year to date in 2016 with 4760 vehicles finding local driveways.

The move was in response to a majority of customers requesting the optional extension.

That figure is likely to be enhanced in 2017 when the Kodiak large SUV arrives with seven seats to do battle with popular models including the Mazda CX-9 and the Toyota Kluger, bolstered by the more attractive warranty.

Skoda's Australian assault will be further enhanced in 2017 with an updated Octavia mid-sized sedan and wagon arriving at a point in the year as well as a facelifted version of the Rapid.

Skoda Australia managing director Michael Irmer said the move to offer a standard five-year warranty was in response to a majority of customers requesting the optional extension.

"Given that some 50 per cent of our customers were going for the optional extended warranty, it was logical that we add it to all models as standard," he said.

"A Skoda is not only more economical to run and service than some rival Japanese vehicles, its warranty now exceeds their standard by two years".

Examples of the Japanese brands referenced by Mr Irmer include Toyota, which offers a three year/100,000km warranty and Mazda's deal which has unlimited kilometres over three years.

Korean brand Hyundai matches the Skoda warranty at five years but limits mileage to 160,000km, while sister brand Kia is the industry leader with a seven-year warranty and unlimited kilometres.

For reference, Skoda's parent company Volkswagen sells its vehicles in Australia covered by a three-year/unlimited kilometre warranty.

All Skoda models have a 15,000km or 12-month service interval depending on which elapses first.

The new warranty comes into effect today.

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