Have New Car Warranties truned to ****e?

[Crazy Dazz]

New Car warranties advertised have been steadily increasing over the years.
(I remember when guys were buying their Falcon Utes from Nissan, to get the 2 yr warranty)

It makes sense given the emergence of more and more "turn-key" motorists, the improvement in build quality, and the effective warranty enforced by Australian Law.

But it seems that at least some make are doing the dodgy.

Take this offering from Peugeot:

A WARRANTY THAT HAS YOU COVERED
Peugeot vous garantit la sérénité
5 years / unlimited kilometres (Passenger Vehicles)
5 years / 200,000 kilometres* (Light Commercial Vehicles or LCV)

Perfectly demonstrating our commitment to you as a customer, PEUGEOT are proud to apply to your new PEUGEOT an extensive warranty which commences from the date of first registration and covers 5 years / unlimited kilometres (Passenger Vehicles) or 5 years / 200,000 kilometres* (Light Commercial Vehicles or LCV). In addition, you are protected by a 3 year paintwork warranty and a 12 year corrosion warranty.

Sounds great until you read the following:

Should any part of your PEUGEOT require repair or replacement as a result of a manufacturing or material defect within the warranty period, the part will be repaired or replaced completely free of charge by your authorised PEUGEOT Dealer, regardless of any change of ownership during the period covered
Under normal circumstances, no responsibility will be accepted under the Manufacturer’s Warranty for the replacement or repair of a part, to the extent to which it was caused by the direct result of wear and tear,

So, in other words they are offering you jack ****.

In fact, they're actually trying to short-change you!
Under Australian Law the coverage for "manufacturing or material defect" is indefinite, and further extends to design defect.

The issue for Car Warranties has always been "Wear & Tear." How long should something last before it fails due to use.
Again, Australian Law requires that the Warranty must be reasonable (considering the item and amount paid) so Peugeot are trying to offer you LESS than what the law already gives you.

I haven't delved into other warranties yet, but suspect this won't be the only one.