Tesla doubles its warranty

Tesla has announced an eight-year warranty for all new Model S sedan and Model X crossover vehicles sold and/or delivered in Australia from March 30.

The US car-maker’s upgraded warranty, which doubles the life of its previous four-year vehicle warranty and compliments its existing eight-year/unlimited-kilometre battery and drive unit warranty, is the longest offered by any vehicle brand in Australia.

Kia’s seven-year/unlimited-km new-vehicle warranty was previously the best in the Australian industry.

However, while the new Tesla warranty also includes eight years of free roadside assist, it is capped at 160,000km or eight years (96 months) from the time of purchase – whichever comes first.

The Tesla warranty is fully transferable to subsequent owners, but customers who purchased their Model S or Model X prior to March 30 (and their vehicle has covered less than 80,000km) must pay extra to extend their warranty to six or eight years.

In this case customers will receive up to an additional four years or up to an additional 80,000km.

Tesla says its extended vehicle warranty covers “the repair or replacement necessary to correct defects in the materials or workmanship of any Model S or X parts manufactured or supplied by Tesla that occur under normal use for a period of 8 years or 160,000 km, whichever comes first.

“The warranties cover the repair or replacement necessary due to the failure of a component manufactured or supplied by Tesla for a reason other than wear and tear, normal deterioration, or negligence during the coverage period.”

For original 60kWh lithium-ion batteries manufactured before 2015, Tesla’s Battery and Drive Unit Limited Warranty – which covers damage to your vehicle from a battery fire “even if it is the result of driver error, subject to certain exclusions” -- is covered for a period of eight years or 200,000km (whichever comes first).

Tesla recommends servicing your Model S or Model X at an official Tesla outlet every 12 months or 20,000km (whichever comes first), and says extended warranty coverage may be affected if you do not.

“During the agreement period of the Extended Warranty Insurance, your coverage may be affected if recommended service is not performed,” it says.

“We recommend bringing your vehicle into a Tesla Service Centre for any service needs. If you choose to bring your vehicle to a non-Tesla shop for any maintenance or repairs, please be aware that if problems occur, this could affect coverage under your warranty.”

Meantime, Tesla says its eight-year roadside assistance plan includes flat tyre support, “whereby trained tow providers carry a limited number of loaner wheels to quickly exchange for the damaged wheel, so the journey may be continued.

“The damaged wheel is transported to the nearest Tesla Service Centre to then be swapped back at a convenient time.”