Warranty worth it on 'older' van

[Pignik]

I know this might come down to my financial situation/risk appetite but I'm looking for common wisdom on how reliable older Californias/Transporters are:

1) If a van is regularly used and not having any sign of issues, do they tend to just trundle along happy as larry?

2) From a resale perspective, how long is it worth getting VW dealer services if you have a decent local alternative?

I took out the All in warranty on my 2018 Beach when I got it a couple of years back. I've had no issues with the van and it is regularly VW serviced by Alan Day Southgate - I'm no expert but they seem to do a good job and not to rip me off too much. I'm wondering whether to extend the All in plan for around £1,000 - after taking account of what's thrown in, the plan seems quite expensive for the warranty (if I'm not going to use it). I could just save the money for when something does go wrong.

I read a few threads around the subject but didn't quite get any answers - I have to admire the member who buys a Cali at the start of each summer. Not sure I could handle the process emotionally!

Thanks

 

[Lambeth Cali]

If you’ve found a good dealer then perhaps.

I bought our 2008 Cali in 2009, loathe my local dealers and stopped using them over ten years ago. The mechanicals of the vans are solid and easy to fix. For all the camping stuff - roof, fridge etc - dealers seem appalling with little idea how to fix.

 

[Ch1pbutty]

Just put the money in the bank

 

[Pignik]

Just put the money in the bank

yes; am tempted to do that. Thanks

If you’ve found a good dealer then perhaps.

I bought our 2008 Cali in 2009, loathe my local dealers and stopped using them over ten years ago. The mechanicals of the vans are solid and easy to fix. For all the camping stuff - roof, fridge etc - dealers seem appalling with little idea how to fix.

yes, am wondering when to do the same - I guess if I'm going to hang onto the van forever, then the quicker I do the more I save.

 

[Trojax]

Hi I have a 2021 Cali and the original owner did not purchase an extended warranty, they did buy a service plan though that lasts until jan 2025.

I went to the VW website and the attached is what they want with 15000 miles per year

 

[tobyprivett]

I have a 2021 model, just out of warranty. The dealer tried to sell the All in plan but it offers much less coverage than the initial warranty that I didn't bother. When the price comes down at black friday, I might reconsider.

 

[andyinluton]

I know this might come down to my financial situation/risk appetite but I'm looking for common wisdom on how reliable older Californias/Transporters are:



I took out the All in warranty on my 2018 Beach when I got it a couple of years back. I've had no issues with the van and it is regularly VW serviced by Alan Day Southgate - I'm no expert but they seem to do a good job and not to rip me off too much. I'm wondering whether to extend the All in plan for around £1,000 - after taking account of what's thrown in, the plan seems quite expensive for the warranty (if I'm not going to use it). I could just save the money for when something does go wrong.

I read a few threads around the subject but didn't quite get any answers - I have to admire the member who buys a Cali at the start of each summer. Not sure I could handle the process emotionally!

Thanks

If you are paying Alan Day to do the servicing anyway you might as well get the all in.

The cost of services + the 2 MOT isn’t much difference to the cost of the all in. So you effectively get the warranty & breakdown cover for almost free.

The warranty cover is about as good as you can get on vehicle that age and is certainly better than an aftermarket warranty.

I have used Alan Day a lot on my earlier vans, at that time California specialists were rare & although they didn’t do Cali sales at the time, they maintained the fleet of a big Cali hire company & seemed to have a good knowledge of the camping side of things. They also did car sales from the same branch so you got treated as an expensive car buyer rather than a commercial rented van driver.

 

[Pignik]

If you are paying Alan Day to do the servicing anyway you might as well get the all in.

The cost of services + the 2 MOT isn’t much difference to the cost of the all in. So you effectively get the warranty & breakdown cover for almost free.

The warranty cover is about as good as you can get on vehicle that age and is certainly better than an aftermarket warranty.

I have used Alan Day a lot on my earlier vans, at that time California specialists were rare & although they didn’t do Cali sales at the time, they maintained the fleet of a big Cali hire company & seemed to have a good knowledge of the camping side of things. They also did car sales from the same branch so you got treated as an expensive car buyer rather than a commercial rented van driver.

Good to know, and feedback on Alan Day. They have one guy (Mark) who specialises in the Cali stuff - he's a nice chap and knowledgable. On my first visit, I headed to their commercial side which is pretty much on the opposite side of the North Circular - took me an age in rush hour to get round to the car side!

 

[Pignik]

Hi I have a 2021 Cali and the original owner did not purchase an extended warranty, they did but a service plan though that lasts until jan 2025.

I went to the VW website and the attached is what they want with 15000 miles per year

View attachment 127844

yikes - that's steep!

 

[Lambeth Cali]

yes; am tempted to do that. Thanks

yes, am wondering when to do the same - I guess if I'm going to hang onto the van forever, then the quicker I do the more I save.

Actually it was Alan Day near Tower Bridge that led to me calling it quits with dealer servicing.
Croydon SMG quoted me £1000 to replace the £18 fresh water pump. Alan Day seemed better at £600 so I went with them. On the drive home after, I could hear the pump bumping around the tank. When I got home I pushed it onto the clips where it’s supposed to go.
£600 for something that should really be 1 hr labour + £18 and they couldn’t even do that right.
If they now have a Cali guy then perhaps they’ve improved!

 

[Pignik]

Actually it was Alan Day near Tower Bridge that led to me calling it quits with dealer servicing.
Croydon SMG quoted me £1000 to replace the £18 fresh water pump. Alan Day seemed better at £600 so I went with them. On the drive home after, I could hear the pump bumping around the tank. When I got home I pushed it onto the clips where it’s supposed to go.
£600 for something that should really be 1 hr labour + £18 and they couldn’t even do that right.
If they now have a Cali guy then perhaps they’ve improved!

That's annoying - I see why that would put you off them.

 

[Trojax]

Ok I have been back on the VW website and the All in looks a better offer, but I can't get a quote because I already have a live service plan. Does anyone know what it costs on a 6.1 cali Ocean and does it cover all the Ocean stuff ??

 

[WelshGas]

Ok I have been back on the VW website and the All in looks a better offer, but I can't get a quote because I already have a live service plan. Does anyone know what it costs on a 6.1 cali Ocean and does it cover all the Ocean stuff ??

I recall about £34/month. 2 services, 2 MOTs and 2 yrs VW Assistance at, I believe £140/Yr.
There are some exclusions compared to the factory warranty , crank case oil seal etc which are treated as wear items as are brake pads etc.

 

[BIG C]

I know this might come down to my financial situation/risk appetite but I'm looking for common wisdom on how reliable older Californias/Transporters are:

1) If a van is regularly used and not having any sign of issues, do they tend to just trundle along happy as larry?

2) From a resale perspective, how long is it worth getting VW dealer services if you have a decent local alternative?

I took out the All in warranty on my 2018 Beach when I got it a couple of years back. I've had no issues with the van and it is regularly VW serviced by Alan Day Southgate - I'm no expert but they seem to do a good job and not to rip me off too much. I'm wondering whether to extend the All in plan for around £1,000 - after taking account of what's thrown in, the plan seems quite expensive for the warranty (if I'm not going to use it). I could just save the money for when something does go wrong.

I read a few threads around the subject but didn't quite get any answers - I have to admire the member who buys a Cali at the start of each summer. Not sure I could handle the process emotionally!

Thanks

Hi, hope this helps. Bought “all in” with 2 year warranty in April 2023 for 2017 T6 50,000 miles
So far replaced at zero cost to me.
1) Media Discovery Unit (touch screen stopped work top RH corner) approx £1500
2) Two broken front springs approx £300 each
3) ABS sensor replaced approx £300 plus £134 diagnosis fee

If you check the forum these are all know problems
Total saved £2534 and I reckon the warranty works out at less than £100 of the “All In” Price. Do the maths and a no brainer just for peace of mind! If I was to sell the van now with 6 months warranty left I am sure I would also get more interest.
If I’d put the £100 in the bank, I don’t think I would have got much sleep

 

[Pignik]

Hi, hope this helps. Bought “all in” with 2 year warranty in April 2023 for 2017 T6 50,000 miles
So far replaced at zero cost to me.
1) Media Discovery Unit (touch screen stopped work top RH corner) approx £1500
2) Two broken front springs approx £300 each
3) ABS sensor replaced approx £300 plus £134 diagnosis fee

If you check the forum these are all know problems
Total saved £2534 and I reckon the warranty works out at less than £100 of the “All In” Price. Do the maths and a no brainer just for peace of mind! If I was to sell the van now with 6 months warranty left I am sure I would also get more interest.
If I’d put the £100 in the bank, I don’t think I would have got much sleep

That's a good perspective - they did a 30% off on the plan a few days later, and I took it up. And my touch screen seems a bit iffy these days; sometimes just doesn't respond. Will look into that!

 

[Azteccamper]

ABS sensor replaced approx £300 plus £134 diagnosis fee

Blinken eck £434 for an abs sensor replacement. That is taking the pi$$ big style.

 

[Snoopy23]

Had my van with 5 years vw then extra 2 allin warrantee, best £850 i spent
Total value of warrantee cost in lst 2 years was about £3500 add the services and breakdown cover that would have cost well over £4k. Just sold the van as you can only add it on under 7years, so bought another van will be buying all in when my vw runs out. Wait for the sale 2/3 times a year 20% off

 

[trev0rk]

Blinken eck £434 for an abs sensor replacement. That is taking the pi$$ big style.

Just quoted £462 down South. At least All-In covered it.

 

[Snoopy23]

Just quoted £462 down South. At least All-In covered it.

3 weeks to get booked in 20mins to fit a £15 part, madness

 

[pchmlk]

Exactly. This is where a good independent is worth their weight in gold.