Which utes have the best warranty cover?

If you spend up on a new ute, you want to be sure that it’ll last - that it’ll cop the punishment you throw at it, and that, if you need it, you’ll be covered for things that break when they shouldn’t.

• Mitsubishi offers the longest warranty - but it’s conditional
• SsangYong doesn’t limit its long warranty to private buyers
• Majority of brands still offer five years warranty

New car warranty paperwork can be perplexing, it’s fair to say, and I would thoroughly recommend that you read through the documentation before something goes wrong, not after.

Each brand has its own wording, stipulations, inclusions and exclusions, and it really is on the consumer to make sure that a new-vehicle warranty suits their needs - especially if you’re using the vehicle for work purposes.

Here we’ve put together a rundown of each of the big ute brands - and some of the small ones, too - to help you figure out what works for you. But again – please read the fine print! This is a general guide only.

And it is also worth a reminder here - in some instances, the limitations of the warranty are stricter than the Australian Consumer Law. So, if you feel your issues or concerns are not being addressed by the OEM, then consult with the Consumer Law. An example of a brand calling out this fact in their documentation is GWM, which states: “Nothing in this Warranty and Service Book limits the consumer guarantees under Australian Consumer Law in any way. In some circumstances your rights under those guarantees may be greater than your rights under the applicable GWM warranty; in which case, GWM Australia will always honour your rights under the consumer guarantees.”

Business or commercial customers are typically defined as being those who use their vehicle as a hire vehicle or for transporting people or goods for payment.

Mitsubishi Triton

• Private customers 10 years/200,000km  But only if you service your car on time with Mitsubishi workshops. Otherwise, the vehicle will revert to the standard 5 years/100,000km warranty
• Business customers Some buyers ineligible for 10-year plan - government, taxis, rentals and other selected businesses

Toyota HiLux, LandCruiser 70

• Private customers 5 years/unlimited km - If you service your vehicle to the logbook requirements, that is extendable to 7 years for the powertrain
• Business customers 5 years/160,000km - excludes coverage for perforation (rust through panels) and extended coverage (no seven-year powertrain extension)

Ford Ranger

• Private customers 5 years/unlimited km
• Business customers 5 years/unlimited km

Isuzu D-Max

• Private customers 6 years/150,000km
• Business customers 6 years/150,000km

Mazda BT-50

• Private customers 5 years/unlimited km
• Business customers 5 years/unlimited km

Nissan Navara

• Private customers 5 years/unlimited km
• Business customers 5 years/200,000km - If used as a commercial vehicle, rental cars, hire and taxi, rideshare, delivery or courier vehicle.

GWM Cannon Ute

• Private customers 7 years/unlimited km
• Business customers 7 years/150,000km - Vehicles used in a commercial or business application, including but not limited to taxi, hire, rental, Uber, courier, security, driving school, tour, bus operator 

LDV T60 & eT60

• Private customers 7 years/200,000km - diesel - 5 years/160,000km - electric model - 8 years/160,000km - EV battery Business customers 7 years/200,000km - diesel - 5 years/160,000km - electric model - 8 years/160,000km - EV battery

Volkswagen Amarok

• Private customers 5 years/unlimited km
• Business customers 5 years/unlimited km

SsangYong Musso

• Private customers 7 years/unlimited km
• Business customers 7 years/unlimited km

Ram 1500

• Private customers 3 years/100,000km
• Business customers 3 years/100,000km

The standout in the above list is SsangYong, which offers a “bumper-to-bumper” seven-year warranty for all customers. No exclusions for what you decide to do with your vehicle, as the brand puts it: “Whatever your commute, trade or vocation, SsangYong Australia will back you.”

And at the other end of the spectrum is one of the most expensive utes on this list, the Ram 1500. With a three-year/100,000km warranty, this truck is well behind its rivals.

Something worth noting is that most brands will include warranty cover for parts and accessories fitted, but only if they were fitted by the brand. Ford for example, states that the warranty cover “will not apply to any defect in, or which is attributable to, or to the use of, any Modification made to the Vehicle unless such Modification has been made by or at the direction of, Ford”. Mitsubishi says “aftermarket performance enhancing products such as (but not limited to) power chips, force induction products, suspension components, exhaust modifications” are not approved under the warranty it has, and thus could void it.

Remember, the warranty will cover you if you abide by the terms of the warranty document. For example - if you don’t service the car on schedule, and it breaks down, you might find the dealership or workshop will not cover any issues with the car.

What is excluded? Read the paperwork for the vehicle you’re looking at, but some examples of things that won’t be covered by the new car warranty include the 12-volt battery, shock absorbers, springs, seat covers, tonneau covers, clutch assemblies, glow plugs and globes. Be sure to know what is or isn’t covered.

Also, be sure you know the limitations of the paint warranty on your new ute. For instance, you might not be eligible to claim repairs on the paint warranty because of the vehicle’s environment. One example - Mazda states that damage or surface corrosion from environment “caused by environmental conditions including acid rain, airborne fallout (including chemicals, tree sap, etc), stones, salt, sand, road hazards, hail, wind, storm, lightning, floods, acts of God or bird droppings” will not be covered.

One more thing to keep in mind - the documentation will outline what needs to be done if you decide to sell your ute before the warranty period ends. It will typically be transferable to a new owner.

Further, if you buy a second-hand ute for work, be sure to check and make sure that the warranty has been transferred to you as the new owner of the vehicle. It could save headaches down the track.