Does car warranty cover suspension?
In order to make getting a suspension fault fixed under the terms of your warranty as easy as possible, it is important to pay attention to the terms of your warranty and the condition of your car. Do not allow suspensions problems to linger as they can cause other faults with your car along the way.
What is car suspension?
The suspension system in your car includes a range of components, including springs, shock absorbers and linkages that connect your wheels to the body of your vehicle and allow relative motion between the two.
One of the main jobs of car suspension is to ensure a smooth driving experience. Roads are not perfectly even, and potholes or bumps in the surface would make for a very jolty car ride if you did not have a suspension system in your car. In addition to absorbing the shock of the road, the suspension system keeps the tyres in contact with the road. In turn, this facilitates acceleration, deceleration and steering. A suspension system is also intrinsic to the stability of the vehicle when turning corners or travelling on winding roads.
Good suspension will also protect the longevity of tyres and brake pads and will reduce wear and tear on other parts of the vehicle. Such a crucial element of a vehicle needs to be well looked after. This is why as soon as you have a fault with your suspension, it is important to get it checked out.
How do I know if I have a problem with my suspension?
You are likely to feel a fault developing with your suspension as you are driving, particularly if you notice that car journeys feel bumpier than usual. If the car ‘drifts’ as you make turns, or appears to be unresponsive to steering, this could be a sign that the suspension needs attention. Similarly, if your car appears to dip forward when braking, this may indicate that there is a fault. This can be particularly serious, because a faulty suspension can increase your stopping distance by up to 20%.
One way to check if there is a problem with your suspension is to look at the tread on the tyres. If the wear is uneven, this could be a sign of a fault. Another ‘at home’ test is to ‘bounce’ your car; with the car parked and in ‘neutral’, push your body weight against the bonnet to make the car bounce. Do the same with the boot of the car. If your car does not stop moving after a few bounces, this is a good sign that you need to head to the garage.
How do I make a claim for repairs to the suspension under my warranty?
As with any warranty-related claim, it is important to notify your warranty provider as soon as possible about the emergence of a fault with the suspension. You will need to follow their instructions about proceeding with the repair. They may want an independent inspector to assess the damage, and they may have a preferred garage that you must use in order for your warranty to be valid.
Some warranties will allow you to choose your own garage but check the small print to ensure that in these cases both the replacement parts and the labour are covered by your warranty provider. Once you know this, you can get on with arranging the necessary work.
