Skoda announces limited-run seven-year warranty

HAVING just posted its strongest sales year on record with four months still to go, Skoda Australia is introducing a new seven-year service package that when purchased between now and the end of the year, will extend a new vehicle’s warranty out to seven years.

The brand has recorded 7120 sales so far this year ending August 31, easily surpassing 2019’s full-year total of 7001 units – its previous record – with the new service pack being launched to celebrate.

If a seven-year service pack is purchased with a new vehicle before December 31 – which offers the first three services for free – two years will be added to the car’s factory-backed warranty.

Skoda Australia director Michael Irmer confirmed that while the extended warranty would only be included until the end of the year, the complementary first three services would continue be offered once the promotional period had ended.

“These are seven years of full cover without common exclusions such as infotainment systems or starter batteries,” he said.

“We remain intent on becoming a leading brand in the sphere of lifetime ownership experience, with Service and Maintenance Subscription being a no commitment, ‘pay as you go’ offer complemented by the popular Service Packs.”

Mr Irmer also said that while he still saw Skoda as a ‘challenger’ brand, it was leaving its once niche labelling behind as it charges towards becoming a genuine mainstream player.

“While I still see us very much as a challenger brand, there is growing awareness of Skoda’s unique, Simply Clever qualities,” he said.

“I think we have shown that value does not have to be built on a budget price sticker. Our customers have typically selected highly specified variants, which we make easy for them by bundling a wide array of options into attractive packages.”

Skoda was the first European brand to offer a fully-fledged five-year warranty in Australia, setting off series of transitions from other brands including Volkswagen, Mercedes-Benz and Renault.

With this new (temporary) extended warranty, the Czech-founded, German-owned marque is knocking on the door of industry heavyweights like Kia and besting other well-known giants like Hyundai and Toyota.

The seven-year servicing pack also competes with Kia, as well as MG and SsangYong, in terms of servicing and aftersales support.