Top 10 new and used vehicle defects
According to research by CarGarantie, the average repair bill for both new and used cars has increased from €502 in 2016 over €514 in 2017 to €527 last year. The steep increase can be explained by the new, complex technologies involved.
The Germany-based car insurance specialist analysed the warranty history of more than one million cars in its portfolio (767,000 used and 241,000 new; the latter with warranty periods of 12, 24 and 36 months).
The increase of the average repair bill – at a faster pace over the past two years after a long period of slow rises - can be explained by the new, complex technologies involved. CarGarantie notes that electric and electronic defects together represent more than a quarter of the total cost.
Problems with the injection system (including the turbocharger) are the most common causes of breakdowns, both for new cars and second-hand vehicles.
Top 10 new vehicle defects
- Feeding system (incl. turbocharger): 21.54%
- Electrical installation: 17.84%
- Infotainment system: 9.50%
- Engine: 8.70%
- Breaks: 7.26%
- Cooling system: 6.27%
- Airconditioning: 6.00%
- Gear box: 4.55%
- Body: 4.13%
- Transmission: 3.73%
Top 10 used vehicle defects
- Feeding system (incl. turbocharger): 19.89%
- Electrical installation: 17.42%
- Engine: 10.82%
- Infotainment system: 10.31%
- Cooling system: 8.94%
- Airconditioning: 8.45%
- Gear box: 5.17%
- Transmission: 3.27%
- Breaks: 3.36%
- Exhaust: 2.95%
Notable differences
Although both lists look similar, some differences are notable.
- Used vehicles are noticeably more likely than new ones to suffer defects on the infotainment system, engine, cooling system and airconditioning.
- Used vehicles are noticeably less likely to suffer defects on the bodywork (1.87%). Or perhaps, having already suffered some wear and tear, repairs to the bodywork are considered less essential.
- Instead, exhaust problems enter the Top 10 for used vehicle defects.
Costliest defect
Some other conclusions:
- Engine trouble is the costliest defect, for both new and used vehicles. For new vehicles, it represents 21.3% of the total cost, snatching top place from last year’s ‘winner’, the feeding system (now 21%). The electrical installation finishes third (10.7%).
- For used vehicles, the engine represents 23.6% of all repair costs, followed by the feeding system (18.2%) and the gear box (11.62%).
- Defects occur slightly later than previously. For used vehicles, 30.1% of all defects occur within the first 5,000 km (2017: 33.2%), and more than 83% within the first 25,000 km (2017: 85.3%). For new vehicles, 27% of all defects occur within the first 25,000 km (2017: 30.3%)
- For used vehicles, almost 81% of all defects occur within the first contract year (2017: 83.3%). For new vehicles, just under 47% of all defects occur within the first contract year (2017: 54.9%).