Toyota: 15-year or 250,000 km warranty. What's the cost and the catch?

Union Motors, the importer of Toyota, is launching an extraordinary paid extended warranty program for cars up to 15 years old or 250,000 km, whichever comes first—far beyond the standard market warranty of 3 years or 100,000 km.

According to Transportation Ministry data, 96% of Yaris and RAV4 models and 91% of Corolla cars sold in Israel in the past 15 years are still on the road with valid licenses. Even among 20-year-old cars, the rate is very high—96% of RAV4s and 86% of Corollas from 2004 onwards are still active.

The program offers coverage very similar to the original manufacturer's warranty for the fourth and fifth years and pre-defined components coverage for the sixth to fifteenth years. The warranty also includes roadside assistance and towing at no additional cost.

What doesn't the warranty cover? In the first two additional years, it excludes the 12-volt battery, drive shafts and boots, headlight fogging, and clutches, as well as accessories and faults in locally installed systems, and stains, tears, and wear marks on upholstery, steering wheels, and other interior parts.

From years 6 to 15, the warranty is much more limited: it does cover expensive components like the voltage converter in electric and hybrid vehicles, electric vehicle engines, battery cooling systems, airbags, and seat belts, ABS and stability control systems, engine and airbag computers, ABS computers, climate control systems, and instrument panels. However, it does not cover the car battery in hybrid and electric models—for which Toyota already has a separate extended warranty program—the transmission, internal combustion engine components, and the fuel injection system. In off-road models, it doesn't cover differentials, for example.

Throughout all years, faults that Toyota determines were caused by modifications not according to manufacturer instructions, including popular installations in the company's off-road vehicles like skid plates, tire size changes, suspension, and engine computer modifications, as well as vehicle use under excessive load, and participation in races, will not be covered. This is important for Prius and Yaris enthusiasts to note.

Moreover, Land Cruiser and Hilux owners will pay much more: not only is their rate higher, but their warranty extension for most years will be for six months or 10,000 km each time, according to the manufacturer's maintenance intervals. Thus, for a yearly extension, they will pay double the rate, and those driving more than 20,000 km a year will pay triple. For private cars, the extension will be for a year or 15,000 km, so those who drive more will also have to pay more, although according to the Central Bureau of Statistics, most private cars do not exceed this distance annually.

Owners of used Toyotas who want to join the program can do so at their next service at the importer's garages, or bring their car for an inspection to check its condition before joining the program. The program does not require servicing at the importer's garages but does require owners to maintain their cars according to the manual and be able to present Union Motors with the car's maintenance records and their original receipts.

And how much does the service cost? Warranty for years 4+5 for private models will cost NIS 1,650 if paid in advance for two years and NIS 999 for each year separately. Warranty for years 6-15 will cost NIS 515 per year.

For off-road models, Hilux, and Land Cruiser, years 4+5, including an extension up to 120,000 km, will cost NIS 3,500. Years 6-15 will cost NIS 750 for each half-year or 10,000 km.