This article was originally published on Fleet News.
In the UK, Toyota is offering new and used customers a service-activated warranty called Relax, which can be applied until the vehicle reaches 10 years or has covered 100,000 miles.
All Toyota and Lexus models qualify as long the age and mileage criteria are met, including passenger cars and light commercial vans and pick-ups.
They do not have to have been purchased from a Toyota or Lexus centre – second, third and even fourth-hand vehicles traded privately or from other outlets are eligible, potentially enhancing the residual value (RV) of vehicles when defleeted.
There is no requirement for a vehicle to have a history of servicing at an official centre in order to qualify for the warranty; it will be applied from the date the vehicle is serviced at a Toyota or Lexus centre.
Rob Giles, Toyota (GB) customer services director, said: “This is a game-changing proposition that redefines the manufacturer warranty, giving our customers the reassurance and value of cover for up to a decade of motoring.
“There are compelling business benefits to be gained as well, with Relax connecting us with more owners, building loyalty and giving our network partners the opportunity to maximise value chain opportunities in both sales and after sales activities.”
The new warranty applies to every type of powertrain and Toyota says that there are no complex clauses, exclusions or caveats.
All new Toyota vehicles will be sold with a three-year/60,000-mile manufacturer’s warranty as standard, while at the same time Toyota Relax will be made available to all Toyota owners when they have their vehicle serviced at an official Toyota centre.
For Lexus, the existing three-year/60,000-mile new vehicle warranty remains in place.
The Relax warranty is automatically activated on the completion of a scheduled full or interim vehicle service at an official Toyota or Lexus centre.
Customers can extend their Relax warranty by an extra 12 months/10,000 miles, year after year, until the 10-year/100,000-mile limit is reached.
On vehicles that have service intervals every two years, the cover is for 24 months/20,000 miles.
Ewan Shepherd, director of Lexus in the UK, said: “The foundation for this exceptional level of protection is the essential quality, durability and reliability of our vehicles and our commitment to delivering customer-first service.
“As well as rewarding existing Toyota and Lexus owners, our Relax programme will also strengthen the appeal of our vehicles to new customers, equally whether they are considering a new car or a used model.”
The Relax warranty covers the same parts and labour as the three-year manufacturer’s warranty provided on new Toyota and Lexus vehicles and the one-year manufacturer warranty that’s standard with approved used vehicles.
It does not include wear and tear items, bodywork, paint, interior trims and maintenance parts.
A vehicle health check is part of the service package, which includes all mechanical and electronic parts, which helps potential problems to be detected at an early stage. Any existing defects present at the time of service are excluded from the warranty.
If owners are concerned about potentially having to pay for significant repairs when bringing their vehicle to a centre for service for the first time, Toyota’s Drive Now, Pay Later scheme is available to spread costs over a suitable period of time, it says.
