A slightly complicated question about warranty

[gwatuk]

I'm thinking about buying a new MGS5. I'm looking at two options.
Brand new or pre-registered
The pre-registered is £1490 cheaper, but its registration date is 30th September 2025.
So I think this would mean losing 6 months off the warranty.
Should I worry about this or just grab the bargain?
Advice please!

 

[MG Clive]

I'm thinking about buying a new MGS5. I'm looking at two options.
Brand new or pre-registered
The pre-registered is £1490 cheaper, but its registration date is 30th September 2025.
So I think this would mean losing 6 months off the warranty.
Should I worry about this or just grab the bargain?
Advice please!

How long do you intend to keep it, will 6 months off the 7-year warranty really make any difference?

 

[salty]

Don't worry about warranty, just get it. Save the dosh. And enjoy.

 

[gwatuk]

How long do you intend to keep it, will 6 months off the 7-year warranty really make any difference?

A long time, quite possibly 7 years or more.

 

[Bam Bam]

I'm thinking about buying a new MGS5. I'm looking at two options.
Brand new or pre-registered
The pre-registered is £1490 cheaper, but its registration date is 30th September 2025.
So I think this would mean losing 6 months off the warranty.
Should I worry about this or just grab the bargain?
Advice please!

I'm not sure what the cost of a 6 month warranty on a seven year car would be. But I doubt you would bother at that point.

I'd always go for the pre-reg and avoid some depreciation loss, but some people like to have the latest number plate.

I'd also see if you can get a bigger discount since it is no longer the current registration plate.

 

[Ian Key]

If you don't mind me asking. Are you looking at the SE or the Trophy and what are they asking for the new one and the pre-registered one?

 

[gwatuk]

If you don't mind me asking. Are you looking at the SE or the Trophy and what are they asking for the new one and the pre-registered one?

Good morning Ian
It's a SE Long Range.
Got them down to £22781 brand new, and £21290 pre-reg.

 

[MG Clive]

Good morning Ian
It's a SE Long Range.
Got them down to £22781 brand new, and £21290 pre-reg.

Great price, and at that price I'd go for the new one.

 

[Ian Key]

I agree with @MG Clive. Go for the new one.

 

[gwatuk]

I agree with @MG Clive. Go for the new one.

Why? (I'm not very experienced at buying cars! )

 

[Ian Key]

Unless you've reached the top of your budget there isn't enough of a price difference.

I apologise if I'm about to make the decision more complicated but have a look on Auto Trader. If you are prepared to travel 50 or 60 miles you can get the Trophy version for very similar prices.

You don't have to use the dealer you bought the car from for servicing and warranty work. I bought my MG4 from a dealer in Nottingham but used my nearest dealer in Derby for servicing etc.

 

[gwatuk]

Thanks Ian. Yes I've spent a lot of time on AutoTrader
When we bought our MG4 we drove about 100 miles to get it (it was a really good deal!)

Another quick question please.
Have there been any software updates for these cars since they were released?

 

[Ian Key]

No there hasn't.

 

[stevedee]

Great price, and at that price I'd go for the new one.

I basically agree because, whatever the price of a new car, a 6 month old demo car should be massively cheaper. I wonder what their rationale is for these 2 deals?

 

[MG Clive]

Great price, and at that price I'd go for the new one.

Why? (I'm not very experienced at buying cars! )

It's an excellent price for a new car.
The difference between new and 'used' is minimal.
You get to own a brand new car.
You know the car you're buying hasn't been misused in any way.
You get your full 7 year warranty.

 

[salty]

Isn't a pre reg a brand new car? Obviously technically your the 2nd owner, but really your the 1st. If it's only got delivery miles.
Then it's brand new. £1500 is a good bit of cash. As for the warranty 6.5 years is still good. And to be honest by the time it gets to the 7th year, there's probably not much covered anyway. The battery is covered, that's the main thing.
Up to you. Good luck.

 

[W12Lad]

Isn't a pre reg a brand new car? Obviously technically your the 2nd owner, but really your the 1st. If it's only got delivery miles.
Then it's brand new. £1500 is a good bit of cash. As for the warranty 6.5 years is still good. And to be honest by the time it gets to the 7th year, there's probably not much covered anyway. The battery is covered, that's the main thing.
Up to you. Good luck.

I disagree.
A lot of the stuff is only covered for 1,2 or 3 years.
The warranty period for things covered for 1 year is halved!

 

[salty]

I disagree.
A lot of the stuff is only covered for 1,2 or 3 years.
The warranty period for things covered for 1 year is halved!

That's sort of what I said. The OP was questioning losing 6 months warranty on the pre reg. I said wouldn't worry as by the time it gets to its 7th year. There wont be much covered anyway. So 6.5 years or the full 7 years really doesn't matter.

 

[stevedee]

The resale value of a car is 'age' & 'mileage' sensitive.

New cars loose a huge amount during the early years.

I asked AI for estimated depreciation values:-

Estimated depreciation for £32,000 MG S5 EV​

Time	Typical % loss	Estimated value	Value lost
6 months	~15–20%	£25,600 – £27,200	£4,800 – £6,400
12 months	~25–35%	£20,800 – £24,000	£8,000 – £11,200
18 months	~30–40%	£19,200 – £22,400	£9,600 – £12,800

If you know you will keep your new car for 10 years, this does not matter. But who knows, you might want to sell it early.

We bought an ex-demo S5 because we thought (at the time) it was a good discount, but recent figures quoted here make me wonder...

 

[salty]

Yep, depreciation is inevitable, that's why I never worry about it. And yes with a 6 month old pre reg, it's 1st year warranty is halved. And some stuff is only warranted for 12 months. But I'm not going to worry about what might happen. If something goes wrong I'll deal with it then. It's just the way I am. I never worry what might happen, it could drive, you daft. Just enjoy your motor.