Five-year warranty across Skoda line-up

SKODA Australia has boosted its standard warranty period from three years to five across its entire passenger vehicle range with no extra cost to customers.

Private buyers now get unlimited kilometres on their new model warranty, while commercial users are assured up to 150,000km over the half decade time period.

As part of the deal, the Czech brand promises the use of genuine Skoda parts, roadside assistance, no limits or excess for claims and the ability to transfer the assurance package to new vehicle owners.

A two-year extension was previously offered as an option starting at $999 in the case of the Fabia, $1399 for the Rapid, $1499 for the Octavia, $1599 added to the price of a Yeti and was most expensive at $1699 when applied to the Superb.

Last year, Skoda had its most successful sales year since its introduction into the Australian car market in 2007, selling 4760 – up just 10 units from the 2015 total.

This year, Skoda is expected to increase its sales volume further with the introduction of the Kodiaq crossover into the large-SUV segment to try and steal sales away from the likes of Mazda’s CX-9 and the Toyota Kluger.

Skoda is also bringing an updated version of its most-popular model, the Octavia mid-size sedan and wagon to market, alongside a facelift of its Rapid small car.

Skoda Australia managing director Michael Irmer said the decision to increase the warranty period was sensible, with about half of customers already opting for the five-year warranty option.

“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”.

For reference, warranties from rivals include Toyota Australia at three years/100,000km, Mazda with three years/unlimited kilometres and Hyundai at five years/160,000km.

Skoda’s parent company Volkswagen offers a three year/unlimited kilometre warranty and the industry leader is Kia, which offers a seven year/unlimited kilometre warranty.

Each Skoda vehicle has a servicing interval of 12 months or 15,000km, and the new warranty deal applies from today.