What is classed as “wear and tear”?

The term “wear and tear” is often defined in a warranty agreement, and covers the degradation of vehicle parts through normal use and the vehicle ageing over time. This applies to items, such as tyres, brakes and clutches, but wear and tear can affect any mechanical components or areas such as the cabin trim or furnishings.

If you’re looking to make a claim under your warranty agreement, it is always best to check how “wear and tear” is defined on the policy, as this will be central to your contract and a successful claim.

Is “wear and tear” considered unsatisfactory quality?

With the use of a car over time, wear and tear will become a factor as to the state and condition of a vehicle and its components. This is particularly relevant to used cars, and simply because a car is showing signs of wear (either aesthetic or mechanical), this does not mean the vehicle is of unsatisfactory quality in its current state or when it was manufactured.

Can “wear and tear” cause mechanical failures?

With use of a vehicle over time, and the wearing of components in line with this, this may lead to a mechanical failure. Some parts, such as a clutch, will have an expected lifespan before routine replacement.

If a premature failure occurs due to wear and tear, this may be covered subject to the terms of the policy, so it is worth checking the conditions to see if this is the case.

If a mechanical failure through wear and tear occurs later in the part’s lifespan, this may not be covered by the warranty policy, as the component would have been ordinarily subject to routine replacement in line with age and usage.