If you have bought a used car in South Africa, there is a good chance it came without any form of mechanical warranty. The manufacturer’s cover expired years ago. The dealer may have offered a three-month powertrain guarantee at best. And from the moment you drive it home, every mechanical or electrical failure is entirely your problem to pay for.
This is the reality for millions of South African drivers. The used vehicle market is significantly larger than the new vehicle market, yet most second-hand buyers have no structured protection against the single biggest financial risk of car ownership: an unexpected breakdown.
Mechanical Breakdown Insurance (MBI) solves this. And unlike many warranty products on the market, Bloom’s MBI has no vehicle age restrictions and no mileage restrictions. Whether your car rolled off the line last year or ten years ago, and whether it has 40,000km or 240,000km on the clock, you can take out cover.
Why used car owners need mechanical breakdown cover
A new car typically comes with a manufacturer’s warranty of around three years or 100,000km. Once that expires, the owner carries the full cost of any mechanical failure. For anyone buying a used vehicle, the warranty has usually expired before the keys change hands.
The financial exposure is real. An engine replacement on a popular model like a Volkswagen Polo Vivo or Toyota Starlet can cost R25,000 to R50,000. A gearbox rebuild on a Ford Ranger or Isuzu D-Max runs into similar territory. Even smaller components like the air conditioning compressor, power steering rack or a set of wheel bearings can produce repair bills of R5,000 to R12,000.
Standard car insurance does not cover any of this. Comprehensive car insurance pays out when your vehicle is damaged in an accident, stolen, or affected by weather. It does not pay when a component fails internally due to a mechanical or electrical fault. That gap is exactly what MBI is designed to fill.
South Africa’s used vehicle market consistently outsells the new vehicle market. Most of these vehicles are sold without any form of mechanical warranty. MBI is often the only structured cover available to protect the engine, gearbox, electrical systems and drivetrain on a second-hand vehicle.
No age restrictions. No mileage restrictions. Here is what that means.
Many MBI and extended warranty providers in South Africa restrict eligibility based on the vehicle’s age, its odometer reading, or both. A common requirement is that the vehicle must be under a certain age or below a specific kilometre threshold to qualify. If your car falls outside those limits, you simply cannot get cover.
Bloom does not apply these restrictions. Every one of Bloom’s four MBI options is available to every vehicle owner, regardless of how old the vehicle is or how far it has travelled. This applies equally to motor vehicles and motorcycles.
In practical terms, this means:
| A 2015 Toyota Hilux with 280,000km?Eligible for all four Bloom options, including the Kyalami Option with up to R50,000 engine cover. |
| A 2019 Suzuki Swift with 95,000km?Eligible. No questions about mileage thresholds or remaining manufacturer warranty. |
| A 2012 Volkswagen Polo Vivo bought privately?Eligible. It does not matter whether you bought from a dealer or a private seller. |
| A 2017 BMW R 1250 GS with 120,000km?Eligible. Bloom’s MBI covers motorcycles across the same four options as motor vehicles. |
| A Chery Tiggo 4 Pro or Mahindra Pik Up?Eligible. There are no brand exclusions. If it is a motor vehicle or motorcycle, Bloom can cover it. |
This is Bloom’s single strongest differentiator. The vehicle you already own, the one you are about to buy, or the bakkie you rely on for work can all be covered under the same set of options with no eligibility hurdles based on age or mileage.
What does Bloom’s MBI cover on a used vehicle?
All four Bloom options cover 22 component categories for motor vehicles and 16 for motorcycles. The same components are covered whether your vehicle is brand new or fifteen years old. The only difference between the options is the per-component benefit limit.
Here is a summary of the key covered components and the benefit ranges across the four options:
All four options also include extensions of cover: up to R2,000 for towing and vehicle recovery, up to R2,000 for mobility charges (alternative transport), up to R1,500 for accommodation if you break down away from home, up to R1,500 for instalment payment protection and up to R1,500 towards an insurance excess payment. You can claim for more than one extension at a time, provided the primary claim is approved.
For the full component schedules and option details, visit the individual product pages: Kyalami Option, Zwartkops Option, Phakisa Option, or Killarney Option.
Which option suits a used car or older vehicle?
All four options are available to every vehicle, but the right choice depends on your circumstances. Here is a practical way to think about it:
Across all four options, no excess is payable on approved claims, and there is no cumulative limit on the total value of claims you can make over the life of your policy.
What about motorcycles?
Bloom’s MBI is not limited to cars and bakkies. All four options are available for motorcycles, with a dedicated component schedule covering 16 categories. The same no-age, no-mileage principle applies.
This is particularly relevant in South Africa’s growing used motorcycle market, where adventure bikes like the BMW R 1250 GS and Honda Africa Twin, commuter models like the Yamaha R3 and KTM 390 Duke, and budget-friendly bikes from Suzuki and Bajaj are all commonly bought second-hand with high kilometres already on the clock. A turbo or engine failure on a premium adventure bike can easily exceed R30,000 in workshop costs, and the used motorcycle market rarely offers any warranty at all.
Whether you ride a Royal Enfield Himalayan with 80,000km or a Kawasaki Ninja 400 you bought privately, Bloom can cover it.
MBI vs a dealer warranty on a used car
When you buy a used vehicle from a dealership, you may be offered an extended warranty as part of the deal. It is worth understanding how that differs from Mechanical Breakdown Insurance.
The key point for used car buyers is that MBI is available whether you buy from a dealer, a private seller, or already own the vehicle. A dealer warranty is only offered at the point of sale. If you missed that window, or bought privately, MBI is likely your only option for structured mechanical cover.
Important things to know before you apply
While there are no age or mileage barriers to taking out Bloom’s MBI, there are a few policy conditions that apply to all policyholders:
| 1 |
60-day waiting period Three full premium payments must be made before any claim will be accepted. Breakdowns within the first 60 days of the policy are not covered. |
| 2 |
No excess on approved claims Your full benefit limit is available to you. There is no additional payment required at the point of claim. |
| 3 |
Subsequent claims distance Claims arising from a breakdown within 1,500km of a previously reported claim may not be covered. Refer to the policy terms and conditions for full details. |
| 4 |
Servicing matters MBI covers unexpected failure, not damage caused by neglect. Keeping your vehicle serviced according to the manufacturer’s recommended schedule at an RMI-registered facility is important for claim eligibility. |
| 5 |
Authorise before you repair Contact MotoTech on +27 (0) 10 020-2566 before authorising any work. Claims cannot be processed for repairs that were carried out without prior approval. |
Frequently asked questions
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Your vehicle qualifies. No matter the age or mileage. Bloom’s MBI covers motor vehicles and motorcycles of any age or mileage, across 22 component categories, with no excess on approved claims and no cumulative claims limit. To get a quote or speak with our team, call +27 (0) 87 688-2500 or email customer.services@bloom.insure. |
Bloom Financial Services (Pty) Ltd is an authorised financial services provider (FSP 50140). Underwritten by New National Assurance Company Limited. Terms and conditions apply. This article is intended as a general guide and does not constitute financial advice. Please refer to the full policy terms and conditions for complete details of cover, exclusions and benefit limits.
