Warranty is free insurance. When something breaks in the first 5-7 years, the manufacturer pays, not you. But warranties vary massively between brands, and the details matter more than the headline number.
Every Brand Compared
| Brand | Warranty | Km Limit | Roadside Assist | Capped Servicing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mitsubishi | 10 years | 200,000km | 10 years | Yes |
| Kia | 7 years | Unlimited | 7 years | Yes |
| MG | 7 years | Unlimited | 7 years | Yes |
| GWM | 7 years | Unlimited | 7 years | Yes |
| Isuzu | 6 years | 150,000km | 6 years | Yes |
| BYD | 6 years | 150,000km | 6 years | Yes |
| Toyota | 5 years | Unlimited | 5 years | Yes |
| Hyundai | 5 years | Unlimited | 5 years (lifetime with service) | Yes |
| Mazda | 5 years | Unlimited | 5 years | Yes |
| Ford | 5 years | Unlimited | 5 years | Yes |
| Subaru | 5 years | Unlimited | 5 years | Yes |
| Honda | 5 years | Unlimited | 5 years | Yes |
| Tesla | 4 years | 80,000km | 4 years | No scheduled services |
| BMW | 3 years | Unlimited | 3 years | No |
| Mercedes-Benz | 3 years | Unlimited | 3 years | No |
| Audi | 3 years | Unlimited | 3 years | No |
Notice the pattern? Chinese and Korean brands offer the longest warranties. They know their reputation for reliability is still being built, so they put their money where their mouth is. German brands offer the shortest. They know their cars will need expensive repairs after year 3 and they don't want to pay for them.
Why Km Limits Matter
A "5-year warranty" means nothing if you hit the km limit in year 3. If you drive 30,000km per year:
- Kia (unlimited km): Full coverage for all 7 years.
- Toyota (unlimited km): Full coverage for all 5 years.
- BYD (150,000km): Runs out in year 5 at 30,000km/year. Fine.
- Tesla (80,000km): Runs out in year 2.7. Over a year early.
- Mitsubishi (200,000km): Runs out in year 6.7. Nearly the full 10 years.
High-km drivers should prioritise unlimited km warranties. If you drive a lot for work, Kia's 7-year unlimited is the best deal in the market.
EV and Hybrid Battery Warranties
Separate from the general warranty, most brands offer extended battery coverage for EVs and hybrids:
| Brand | EV/Hybrid Battery Warranty |
|---|---|
| Toyota (hybrid) | 10 years / unlimited km |
| Hyundai / Kia (EV) | Lifetime (original owner) |
| Tesla | 8 years / 160,000-240,000km |
| BYD | 8 years / 160,000km |
| MG | 7 years / unlimited km |
Hyundai and Kia's lifetime battery warranty for the original owner is remarkable. If you buy a new Ioniq 5 or EV6, the battery is covered for as long as you own it.
What Your Warranty Actually Covers
- Covered: Manufacturing defects, faulty parts, paint defects, electrical issues, engine/transmission failures
- Not covered: Wear items (brakes, tyres, wipers, bulbs), accident damage, modifications, missed services
- Grey area: Aftermarket accessories, non-genuine parts, independent servicing. Under Australian Consumer Law, a dealer cannot void your warranty just because you serviced it at an independent mechanic, as long as the service was done correctly with appropriate parts.
Extended Warranties: Worth It?
Dealer-sold extended warranties cost $1,500-3,000 for 2 extra years. They're a profit centre for the dealer, not a favour to you. Most of the time they're not worth it if you're buying a Toyota or Mazda (reliable enough to not need it). They might be worth considering for European cars where a single gearbox repair can cost $5,000+.
Better approach: buy a brand with a long factory warranty and skip the extended warranty entirely.
We display warranty information for every car in our database. Compare any car on CarSorted and see the warranty details on the spec sheet.
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Disclaimer: All information in this article was believed to be correct at the time of publishing (3 April 2026). Prices are manufacturer recommended retail prices (RRP) and may vary by state, dealer, and options. Specifications, government incentives, and rebates can change without notice. Always verify details with the manufacturer or relevant authority before making a purchase decision. Running cost estimates are based on average Australian driving conditions at 15,000 km/year. All opinions are editorial and independent. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations or rankings.
Published by CarSorted Editorial Team · 3 April 2026
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