Thanks for your response.

Your assumption is correct: When I wrote the above, I suppose I was hoping someone would agree that cancelling the warranty is the wisest course. Then it struck me that a car warranty might be similar to other kinds of insurance-- ie, a prudent investment against the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, and one that you hope never to have to call upon--and I wavered again.

I'll sleep on it, but I think I'll be getting rid. Money's too tight to mention.

In 28 years i've had two expensive repairs. A clutch at £1500 which would not be covered and a valve spring the broke the cam belt and valves which cost £400 and well may have been a claim. Everything else has been maintenance or small beer. And 2 others covered under manufacters warranty.

Thanks again.

My past experience of claiming against car breakdown warranties (admittedly, mainly during the 1990s when I bought one bad car after another)has been positive. They paid out on several occasions, and the cost of the repairs was covered in full. That, along with a degree of inertia, is why I've let this cover continue. Have these companies become more hard-nosed over the last two decades or so?

My own experience largely concurs with the opinion already stated in one response, being that its in the first six months of ownership that you usually find serious fault with a used car.

I still haven't made a decision but I'll bear all your comments in mind. My car is indeed 8 years old but in reasonably good nick, and I don't drive it hard.

20 quid a month would pay for central heating breakdown cover...and winter's coming.