While they have gotten better over time, high-end performance cars from Italian automakers don’t have a sterling reputation for reliability. They’re also not known for offering the most robust warranties in the business. But things can change. Lamborghini has been owned by Germany’s Volkswagen Group for decades and now offers a longer warranty than you’re likely to find on any new VW model.
The Italo-German brand is now offering bumper-to-bumper coverage for five years, with the ability to stretch that out to ten years. Mileage is unlimited. In the past, Lamborghini was willing to offer customers just a three-year warranty. That’s the same as Ferrari and honestly pretty standard within the supercar segment.
While unlimited mileage is a big deal on a high-performance car, the relevant automakers know you’re unlikely to overstress the odometer on what is almost certain to become a garage queen. Other companies, like Porsche, will offer four years but cap mileage around 50,000 because it knows there’s a chance some customers might actually drive that far. Meanwhile, Pagani will offer extended warranties on vehicles that have been certified by the company. They don’t even need to be new models, since there’s zero chance its rolling works of art will see daily use.
However, Lamborghini pushing its standard warranty to five years is surprising and the extended coverage option is basically unprecedented. Ten years and unlimited miles are technically better warranty deals than you’d find from mainstream automakers. For example, Mitsubishi and Kia offer some of the longest running warranties in the business and both of those top out at ten years or 100,000 miles.
But those companies are trying to attract value conscious buyers, many of whom dread the idea of having to tackle any kind of repairs themselves. Someone buying from Lamborghini isn’t likely to be concerned about such things. So why bother offering a longer warranty at all?
Based upon Lamborghini’s press release, it looks like the company is concerned about maintaining resale values.
“Lamborghini After-Sales embraces a holistic approach to customer care, ensuring that every vehicle retains its original qualities and performance over time, thereby safeguarding — and even increasing — its value,” stated Giuliano Cassataro, Lamborghini Head of after sales. “Our mission is to provide comprehensive support to customers throughout the entire lifecycle of their cars. Through our programs, this journey is designed to last forever: from the very first day of ownership to the point at which the vehicle qualifies for certification as a historic model.”
While Lamborghini isn’t known for being as snobby as Ferrari, Lambos also tend to depreciate faster on average. Obviously, that’s dependent upon the models in question. But you’re statistically more likely to find a deal on something wearing the raging bull, rather than the prancing pony. The theory here is that Ferraris simply mature better due to the brand’s heritage and ability to build “timeless” performance cars. But it could just as easily be a case of snobby people buying snobby (albeit excellent) cars, taking care of them, and then pricing them accordingly. Ferrari is likewise extremely choosy about who it sells to, whereas Lamborghini is more egalitarian — so long as you can still afford the car.
By lengthening the warranty period, Lamborghini may be hoping to convince customers to hold onto cars a little longer by ensuring that they’ll be handling any necessary repairs. This may also bring more people into the brand. However, Lamborghini isn’t exactly hurting for sales. Save for a few bad economic years, the brand’s annual sales volume has been increasing rather steadily since the early 2000s.
As a nice bonus, the program should result in there being more second-hand Lambos on the market in excellent condition. This not only helps to maintain resale values but may also assist in raising the automaker’s prestige.
Whereas new Lamborghinis will come with the updated five-year warranty, hybrid models will see an eight-year standard warranty to help give owners additional peace of mind about the battery. Those interested in the ten-year warranty will have to pay extra, however.
Not every detail about the “Selezione Warranty Extension Program” has been shared as of yet. But it does look like the ten-year warranty does have a few rumored caveats, limiting the mileage of certain models. Still, it looks as though you’ll need to be daily driving them to surpass the minimum 40,000-mile (60,000 for the Urus) threshold and that seems extremely unlikely in most instances.
We’re sure the company will be happy to clear up any confusion about the Selezione program with customers. But it sounds as though it’s only applicable to vehicles within the first ten years of their initial registration. Those interested would probably be best served purchasing it right away if they’re going to bother buying it at all.
Lamborghini also hyped its aftersales division, specifically the Certification of Authenticity program that’s designed to “enhance the historical value” of vintage models. It’s a restoration program, designed to be a meticulous as possible when it comes to bringing any Lamborghini back to its original condition. Overseen by the Polo Storico team, restorations use archival documentation (and hours of labor) to painstakingly ensure the final product can be certified as properly restored.
[Images: Lamborghini]
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