New car, bike warranty extensions due to COVID-19 - A complete list

The global COVID-19 pandemic has affected all facets of life and has brought the automotive industry to a grinding halt. Despite these trying times, multiple automobile manufacturers in India are doing their bit to ensure a hassle-free aftersales experience for its customers. 

Given below are all the announcements made by manufacturers regarding their aftersales services amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

Tuesday, April 14

Maruti Suzuki has announced that customer vehicles whose free service, warranty and extended warranty packages were scheduled to end during March 15, 2020 to April 30, 2020 have now been extended up to June 30, 2020. The carmaker is also providing useful tips to customers via SMSes to keep their car healthy during this lockdown period. 

Monday, April 13

Volkswagen has extended special benefits towards prospective and existing healthcare professionals who own a VW car, including enhanced vehicle protection plans, benefits on purchasing a new model, as well as extended warranties. The enhanced vehicle protection plan includes a 10-point check-up, along with AC disinfectant and Germkleen treatment, all at no added cost. The benefits can be availed till June 30, 2020.

Renault has announced a relaxation of the warranty policy and periodic service schedule of its cars for the duration of the lockdown, along with launching a new online booking campaign. Under the campaign, customers can book a Renault car either via the company website or through Renault’s app, without requiring to immediately pay a booking amount.

Tuesday, April 7

Ford India has announced an extension of its warranty schemes and service programmes. The carmaker stated that all warranties expiring between March 15 and May 30, 2020 will now be valid until June 30. The same extension is also applicable to all scheduled services, including the free services. The carmaker is also offering 24-hour roadside assistance (RSA) to all its customers at no cost and this is available irrespective of whether they have purchased the RSA option, or of the age of the car.

Monday, April 6

Toyota has initiated a ‘Customer Connect’ program in light of the national coronavirus shutdown. The company has announced an extension of vehicle warranty for new vehicles as well as vehicles purchased from Toyota U-Trust, free maintenance service, roadside assistance, extended warranty, and the ‘Smiles’ prepaid maintenance package for up to two months. Toyota will also be extending free emergency support to customers who don’t have coverage till 15 days after the lockdown. The automaker says that there will be an extension till May 31, 2020 for owners whose respective programs and products may have expired during the shutdown. Moreover, services such as vehicle inspection, cabin care and tyre- and battery-related services will be provided at special prices once Toyota dealerships are operational.

Friday, April 3

Kia has announced that it will be providing extended free services to all its customers until July 2020, which should come as a relief to owners who are unable to follow the stipulated service schedule due to the ongoing lockdown.

Wednesday, April 1

Audi India announced an extension for all its customers whose service package or extended warranty ends during the lockdown period (March 15 to April 15, 2020). This means those customers will be able to avail the service, the window for which has been extended by one month or 3,000km (whichever comes first), while the window to purchase the extended warranty will be stretched by two months from the last day of the lockdown.

Tuesday, March 31

Isuzu announced that it will extend the validity of warranties and services with expiry dates between March 15 and April 15, to May 31, 2020 for existing owners of its vehicles.

Monday, March 30

In light of the ongoing lockdown, Maruti Suzuki has announced an extension for customers who want to avail the brand’s service and warranty facilities. The free service, warranty and extended warranty programmes ending between March 15 and April 30, 2020 will now be valid up to June 30, this year.

Volkswagen India has also announced relief for customers on the service and warranty front. Standard warranties expiring between March 22 and mid-May will now be valid till July 31, 2020. Owners with standard warranties expiring between March 22 and April 15 will be given the option to purchase an extended warranty that lasts 60 days after the standard warranty ends. Meanwhile, existing extended warranty plans expiring between the same time period will be valid untill May 15, 2020. People with a valid service value package that have scheduled maintenance due in March and April can avail the same facilities till July end. Lastly, VW has also given leeway till July 31 to users whose free or paid services are due during the lockdown.

Sunday, March 29

Two-wheeler manufacturer Yamaha has announced that it will be extending its warranty and other services in India. As part of the ‘Yamaha Lifetime Quality Care’ approach, it will extend its services for an additional 60 days (till June 2020) from date of expiry. Free services expiring between March 15 and April 15 will be extended until June. Normal and extended warranties expiring between March 15 and April 15 will be extended till June too.

Monday, March 23

Acknowledging their customers’ inability to visit authorised workshops for service, maintenance and repairs, Tata Motors conveyed that it will be extending the time for availing the stipulated facilities. Owners whose vehicles have an OE warranty and a free service period (not kilometres) expiry date that’s between March 15 and May 31, 2020, can use these benefits until July 31.

Friday, March 20

Hyundai India will also a two-month extension to customers who are unable to avail their vehicle’s warranty / extended warranty / free service due to a health emergency or dealership shutdown in affected cities. The company will also continue to offer 24x7 Roadside Assistance and has deployed an additional 1,000+ Doorstep Advantage bikes and emergency road-service cars.