What Car? Q&A - Should I buy an extended warranty?

Q: I've recently bought a three-year-old Jaguar X-type with 68,000 miles on the clock. I would like to know whether it is worth taking out an extended warranty covering most of the major parts, or to take the chance without.

X-type quality and reliability improved from 2003 on, but earlier cars can suffer clutch failure, transmission whine, rattling steering, electrical faults and leaking door seals.

Overall, Jaguars fare relatively poorly in What Car? Reliability Surveys, and the X-type was 46th out of 124 cars in the most recent JD Power Customer Satisfaction Survey.

Knowing that, it might well be worth considering an extended warranty to set your mind at rest. Try Warranty Direct (warrantydirect.co.uk) or Car Care Plan (carcareplan.co.uk).

Remember to read the terms, conditions and exclusions of any policy before you sign so you know you're getting adequate enough protection.