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Jonathan Westwood

Chief Compliance Officer

Jonathan Westwood | Author

Annabelle Clarke

PR Manager

Annabelle Clarke | Author

Eduardo Rodrigues

Content Writer

Eduardo Rodrigues | Author

Claudia Tuñón

Claudia Tuñón | Author

Isobel Coughlan

Isobel Coughlan | Author

Joseph Law

Bumper Content Writer

Joseph Law | Author

Alastair Shephard

Alastair Shephard | Author

, your car's wheels and tyres take more punishment than any other part. It may make sense then to specifically insure for the cost of repairing them, but is tyre and alloy insurance really worth it? 

We take a look at how wheel and tyre insurance works, what it covers, and most importantly, does it make financial sense? 

Like any other insurance policy, tyre insurance providers charge an 

 premium to cover any damage, accidental or malicious, to your tyres. These are usually bought as a one-off payment, lasting for 12 months. 

In the event you damage something by hitting a kerb or pothole, the insurance company will pay to replace the tyre, usually up to a certain value. 

Typical policies will cost between £60 to £150 per year and usually offer 2-4 claims in that period.

There are two main ways to get tyre insurance, one is per-tyre cover, often sold by tyre shops, and the other is a yearly cover, available from multiple online insurance companies. 

 cover called things like TyreCare (offered by UK garage KwikFit) or an Extended Warranty (offered by Halfords). These will often be presented to you at the tyre garage when paying for your tyres. 

Costing from £5.99 to £12.00 per wheel, this cover only usually covers one tyre replacement - the one that you bought - this is why some retailers call them extended warranties. 

Annual policies are offered by many online 

 brokers and are usually sold as a “productised” item, i.e. a one-off cost somewhat regardless of tyre type and size, instead of being calculated on a case-by-case basis such as car and home insurance. 

, location and car type are not specifically considered in the same way traditional car insurance is. Most insurers offer tiers such as up to 17” 17” to 20” etc. 

How Does Alloy Wheel Insurance Work in the UK? 

Much like Tyre insurance, you pay a yearly premium, the cost of which depends on the size and type of your alloy wheels. If your wheels get damaged, the insurance company will cover the 

Alloy wheel insurance costs between £70 and £300 per year. Some companies take payment upfront, and some offer monthly payments. 

What is Covered in Tyre and Alloy Wheel Insurance 

Insurance companies are sure to set out exactly what is and isn’t covered when taking out a policy, but in general, most providers put a clear limit on the cost of each repair or replacement. 

, the vast majority of the providers we checked out, the cheapest tiers of cover offer up to £100 per repair, and a maximum of 4 repairs per year. Higher tiers offer up to £250 per wheel, but most are still capped at 4 repairs per year. 

Tyre insurance works on a similar system, with most covering 2 tyres per year max, with claim limits selectable from £125 to £400 per tyre. Increasing the claim limit from £125 to £400 doubles the yearly premium. 

Things That Aren’t Covered on Tyre and Wheel Insurance 

Whilst damage both accidental and malicious is covered, tyre wear is not. Most insurers we found will not pay to replace anything with less than 2mm of tread. This also applies to tyres that have been damaged. 

So make sure you keep on top of routine tyre replacement, otherwise your tyre insurance won't pay out at all, you’ll need to do this inspection yourself, as 

 testers may only mention your tyres are low when they’re very close to the 

Unlike car insurance, tyre and wheel insurance is not a legal requirement so it is up to drivers to decide if they need cover or not. To figure out if tyre insurance makes sense for you, first consider the following factors: 

The fewer miles you drive, the less likely you are to receive a puncture or damaged alloy and therefore need to claim on your tyre or wheel insurance. 

Because the policies very rarely take into account 

 when calculating a premium, the fewer miles you do, the less cost-effective the insurance will be. 

Performance, luxury or larger cars all tend to have more 

. It therefore may make more financial sense to insure wheels and tyres on these kinds of vehicles but not on those with cheaper tyres. 

Many policies put a strict age limit on the vehicles they will insure the wheels of, common ages being 5 or 7 years. If your car is nearing these milestones, consider if the policy will be invalidated during its duration. 

Can Tyre and Alloy Insurance Save You Money? 

you money in the long run; consider that the average driver pays 

 in premium fees in their driving lifetime, but very few drivers will receive that amount in insurance payouts. 

Instead, tyre and alloy insurance helps with cash flow, allowing drivers to avoid footing those big bills that always seem to crop up when you least want them to. 

Using what we’ve covered in this article, we’d say that if your car’s tyres and wheels are expensive, you drive a 

, and you don’t generally have cash on hand, tyre and alloy insurance is probably worth considering. 

However, if you don't do many miles or your tyres are reasonably cheap, we’d recommend (if possible) putting some money aside for emergencies so you’re not caught short. 

Bumper Can Help, Without Having to Pay Any Extra 

 offers zero interest-free car repairs at our many partner garages across the UK, and that extends to tyres too. Enabling you to spread the cost of new tyres, without needing to buy a costly insurance policy. 

has been writing about cars for over seven years and writing for Bumper for over two, blending his passion for automobiles with a talent for storytelling.

Joseph has written about engineering and cars for Autozilla, Komaspec, and several engineering manufacturers. When he's not writing or tinkering with one of his five cars, Joseph dreams of owning an Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale.

Is Tyre And Alloy Insurance Worth It?

We’re pleased to announce we’ve raised a further £2 million in a Series B extension round, with Suzuki Global Ventures and Marubeni Ventures joining as investors.

With Suzuki’s strong European dealer network and Marubeni’s RRG Group, HPL Motors Group and Norton Way Motors in the UK, the new investors are strategically important for further accelerating Bumper’s scaled growth across the UK and Europe. 

Suzuki’s UK dealer operation recently ranked as the top-performing automotive brand in the Institute of Customer Service’s 2024 UK Customer Satisfaction Index. 

The latest investment follows last year’s £40 million Series B fundraise with Autotech Ventures, Shell Ventures, JLR’s InMotion Ventures and Porsche Ventures. Total investment in Bumper has now reached £55 million. 

The new investors are joining after a record year of growth for the business with Gross Merchandise Value (GMV) growing 100% year on year and customer numbers up 80% in the last 12 months. 

James Jackson, Bumper Co-Founder and CEO said, “With Suzuki Global Ventures and Marubeni Ventures joining our growing portfolio of major automotive investors, we can accelerate our ambitious plans to be the dominant payment platform for car dealers in the UK and across Europe.

“We’re delighted that Suzuki Global Ventures and Marubeni Ventures see the value of what we’ve already achieved and our future potential. Unexpected and unbudgeted car repair bills are a universal problem requiring flexible payment solutions that benefit customers and dealers. With our investors’ support, we’re now ideally placed to invest in new products and increase our dealer footprint.”

Kinji Saito, Director and Senior Managing Officer at Suzuki said, “Bumper’s unique AI technology enables real-time financing decisions, thereby making it easier for customers to take their cars for repairs and services, and dealers to attract customers. 

“With this investment, made through Suzuki Motor Corporation’s corporate venture capital fund, we aim to enhance the convenience of customers through expanding Bumper’s services.” 

Tristan Jennings, Senior Associate of Marubeni Ventures said, “Bumper has clearly demonstrated an ability to address the unique financing needs of automotive repair customers, reduce friction at point of sale and improve the user experience, while seamlessly integrating into existing dealership IT infrastructure. 

“We aim to leverage Marubeni’s existing businesses in the automotive and auto finance sectors to further expand Bumper’s reach and build upon its outstanding level of customer service.”

Bumper raises £2 million in Series B extension with Suzuki Global Ventures and Marubeni Ventures 

Bumper recauda 2 millones de libras en la ampliación de la ronda de financiación serie B gracias a Suzuki Global Ventures y Marubeni Ventures como nuevos inversores.

Bumper sammelt 2 Millionen Pfund in der Erweiterung der Serie B ein, wobei Suzuki Global Ventures und Marubeni Ventures als Investoren einsteigen

We’re excited to announce the Dealership of the Month for February is Acorn Kia Crewe.

The Crewe-based site had a fantastic start to the year and has continued its upward trajectory into February.

One of the longer-standing Bumper partners, Acorn Motor Group adopted PayLater into their aftersales departments back in 2017 and have now gone live with PayNow, processing customers’ one-off payments in just a few taps, and Pay By Bank, an instant account-to-account payment method.

The team also make use of Bumper integrations through popular automotive systems Keyloop and CitNOW, creating a seamless customer experience for drivers.

Their world-class customer experience has impacted their Trustpilot reviews, of which there are plenty!

One customer said, “Seamless, straightforward process, very well explained by Matt. Nothing was too much trouble.” Another stated, “Jay did an amazing check on my car for [my] MOT... great detail on the inspection video”.

Others described Kia Crewe as, “Very helpful”, “Quick”, and “First class”.

Bumper’s Chris Booth (Business Development Team Lead – North) and Islay Horton (Business Development Consultant) visited the site to hand over the award. 

Islay said, “Congratulations to Acorn Kia Crewe on their win. They’ve had an outstanding start to 2024 with Bumper, really embedding PayLater into their aftersales process.

“Having recently taken over the site, it’s been a pleasure to meet with the team here in Crewe today and I’m looking forward to seeing how we can utilise PayLater even further to create an incredible aftersales experience.”

Congratulations to Amy, Rebecca, Chloe, Matt and the whole team at Acorn Kia Crewe.

Acorn Kia Crewe named Dealership of the Month

Mercedes-Benz is the oldest car manufacturer in the world, producing the first ever car in 1885. From there they have developed a great reputation for reliability and build quality. Despite this, modern cars are complex, and there are some common faults recorded among Mercedes owners. 

Mercedes Benz is known for their reliability, with high ratings in WhatCar and Which surveys in recent years. They do not often top the charts, with brands such as 

Like most modern luxury brands, Mercedes are not low-maintenance cars, and you don’t want to skip scheduled maintenance items. With their dual-

 transmissions and complex turbocharged engines, they need the recommended oil and filter changes, at the least, to keep them running smoothly. 

There are not likely to be any definitive timescales to expect your Mercedes-Benz to start developing issues, but as with many cars, problems generally begin after around 7-10 years and around 100,000 miles. This is when items such as suspension arms, hydraulic engine mounts, and timing belts can need replacing.

 is that the ride is quiet, refined and free of vibrations for the passengers. To achieve this most modern premium vehicles have hydraulic engine mounts. These are oil-filled rubber dampers that are integral to the engine mounting brackets. 

Over time, the rubber wears and perishes by absorbing the engine's vibrations, causing the oil inside to leak out and further reduce its damping effect. Symptoms of this issue all relate to excessive vibration and noise from the engine. 

Another fantastic feature that enhances comfort for passengers is Mercedes' sophisticated air suspension system. It uses an air suspension strut in replacement of a traditional 

 and shock absorber to allow better ride quality and handling characteristics. 

Like the engine mounts, these air suspension components can become worn over time and start to fail. Perishing seals and rubber 

 are the usual culprits, with symptoms being unusual handling, an uneven ride height and errors from the infotainment system. 

to most automatic Mercedes vehicles in the last 10 years or so is a complex piece of engineering that enables fast gear changes and excellent efficiency. Unfortunately, they also need servicing correctly and on time to avoid damage. 

As the interval is usually 5 years or 70,000 miles, check any car you’re considering buying has had the required services, and is on time. Servicing the gearbox is quite a complex procedure, hence why many owners neglect to do it on time. 

As many Mercedes saloons and estates are rear-wheel drives, they have a separate rubber mounting at the rearmost point of the gearbox, where it connects to the propshaft. After a few years of use, this rubber mount can too begin to perish, allowing the metal portions of the mount to collide. 

This will cause a vibration and possibly more cabin noise, that will come from the floor in between the driver and passenger seat. New mounts are relatively inexpensive and not too difficult to replace. 

A problem exclusively affecting the A-Class from March 2018, the brake hose to the rear 

 is not long enough, causing strain on the connections as the suspension goes through its full range of motion. 

Mercedes issued a recall for the fault, and any Mercedes dealer will be happy to investigate and remedy it.

As Mercedes’ best-selling saloon, the C-Class is a popular sight on the road. It offers a good measure of luxury and performance, especially in the higher AMG trim levels. Here are a few common issues to look out for. 

If you notice poor economy and running with your 1.6 diesel C-Class, double-check it was not featured for a software recall. Mercedes updated the software on the car's 

, improving the driveability and emissions performance of the car. 

Affecting cars from 2014 through to 2018, you can check to see if your car, or one you are looking at buying, is affected 

Some high-performance versions of the C-Class were fitted with axle and differential mountings that were not quite up to the task of handling the C63 V8’s power, with differential mounting brackets cracking after hard acceleration. 

Software updates were rolled out to reduce the impact on the part, helping prolong its life. 

Mercedes offers a range of cars that solve multiple needs, from high performance and handling agility to comfort and refinement. If these are qualities you are looking for in your next vehicle and intend to maintain your vehicle well, a Mercedes would be a great fit. 

 can help if your car needs expensive repairs, by offering zero-interest finance plans. We have hundreds of partners 

 has been writing about cars for over seven years and writing for Bumper for over two, blending his passion for automobiles with a talent for storytelling.

5 Common Mercedes Problems & How To Prevent Them

5 Problemas Comunes en Mercedes y Cómo Prevenirlos

5 häufige Mercedes-Benz-Probleme und wie man sie behebt 

The Audi A3 is a popular premium hatchback, but like any car, it has some common reliability issues.

Owners frequently report problems with the DSG gearbox, suspension creaking, oil pump failures, and fuel line leaks. This guide covers the most common Audi A3 problems and how to avoid costly repairs.

Like any car manufactured in large numbers, the Audi A3 isn't without its own issues. 

While these common problems may point to areas needing improvement, they also serve as a helpful checklist for prospective buyers. 

Here are typical Audi A3 problems to note:

Some 2004–2008 Audi A3s with the 2.0 TDI engine have a known oil pump issue, where the drive shaft wears out prematurely. 

 which, if lost completely, may cause severe engine damage within minutes.

On some newer A3s (2016+), owners have reported creaks and rattles from the front suspension, even with low mileage.

Since there's no clear fix, listen closely on test drives. If your car’s doing this, try replacing the suspension bushes, like the bottom arms or top mounts.

On 2003–2012 TDI models, engine vibrations can crack diesel lines, hurting MPG and posing safety risks.

Luckily, replacement pipes are cheap, and vibration-reducing upgrades are available online.

A common issue with 2.0 TFSI engines is torn boost diverter valves, which cause a loss of air pressure. Under hard acceleration, you might notice 

Replacing the valve with an upgraded version solves the problem—it swaps the weak rubber diaphragm for a stronger one. It’s a quick fix for any experienced Audi tech.

 can droop over time. To check, see if it stays horizontal after use. 

If not, a garage can easily reposition it using a puller tool. This is usually cheap and prevents paint damage: a win-win!

Front wings rust early on many VW and Audi models. 

If your car’s under 10 years old, Audi’s rust guarantee covers it. If not, getting a wing from a parts car is usually cheapest.

 ranked the A3 last in their reliability leaderboard for 2022, and warranty provider MotorEasy gave it a reliability score of 63%. These indicate a few quality issues with A3s from 2021 onwards.

However, provided the car receives timely maintenance and repair, it should be as reliable as any other car in the same market segment. 

As most of the warranty claims were for automatic 

-related issues, we’d suggest the manual version.

What years of the Audi A3 should I avoid?

The A3 is generally reliable, but certain years have recurring issues. Here's a breakdown of the ones to avoid:

You can avoid some Audi A3 common issues by skipping these years. 

The Audi A3 isn’t the cheapest car to maintain, but it's not the most expensive either. 

Parts can be pricey, especially for newer models, and labour costs add up if you need 

. Regular maintenance and servicing are key to avoiding bigger bills, but overall, it’s manageable for a premium car.

How much does it cost to fix common Audi A3 problems? 

Below, we’ve detailed some rough cost estimates for fixing common Audi A3 problems.

Keep in mind that prices can vary based on location, parts, and labour costs.

DSG gearboxes are fantastic pieces of engineering; they are complex, and numerous reports of faults have developed if the service intervals have not been adhered to. 

For many years, the DSG type has been the go-to gearbox in Volkswagen Audi Group products. This dual-clutch gearbox offers fast gear changes and efficiency as good as a manual transmission car.

DSG gearboxes rely on clean, free-of-contaminants oil, hence the recommended 

 interval of 40,000 miles. If you make sure these services are done, we don’t see why you won’t have a trouble-free experience.

Does the Audi A3 have a timing belt or timing chain?

The Audi A3 generally uses a timing chain, not a belt.

But watch out—older models with 2.0 TFSI or 2.0 TSI engines can have chain issues. Newer ones, like the 8V 1.2 TFSI, also use chains.

In general, most petrol engines use a chain, while many diesels, especially older ones, have a belt. Always check your specific engine code to be sure, and don’t skip scheduled belt replacements.

Are Audi A3s prone to electrical problems?

Some Audi A3 owners have reported electrical issues, such as problems with power windows, central locking, and the infotainment system. These are often caused by faulty wiring, sensors, or software glitches.

Likewise, Audi A3 owners have reported cluster failures (problems with the instrument cluster). These can cause incorrect readings, warning lights, or even blank screens.

While not always serious, they can be frustrating, so it’s worth checking that everything works properly before buying.

That wraps up the common Audi A3 issues. While there are a few known problems, the A3 still scores high on style, practicality, and efficiency. So don’t let a handful of minor faults put you off, as it remains a solid choice in its class, and you can trust Audi A3 reliability.

Need to repair your Audi A3? We’re here to help. With Bumper's 

, you can split the cost of repairs into monthly payments at no extra cost. Apply online for up to £5,000 and choose from 1,000s of trusted repairers. 

Common Audi A3 Problems: Most Frequent Issues & How to Fix Them

Common Audi A3 Problems

Häufige Probleme beim Audi A3

 is vital to the safe operation of your engine, the radiator plays a vital part of that. BMWs are no different, with many having larger or high-performance engines, it's even more important to fix your BMW radiator and get it replaced as soon as it breaks. 

As one of the most popular BMW models, the 3 series has been in production since 1975, with each new version being more sophisticated and better to drive than the last. 

If you take your car to the garage for it to be replaced, you can expect to pay anywhere from £200-1300 for your BMW 3 Series Radiator to be replaced, depending on your exact model and age. 

The smallest BMW in the range, the 1 series, is a practical but compact hatchback. It has been in production since 2004, when the original design was acquired by BMW from the Rover acquisition. 

For a BMW 1 Series radiator replacement, you should expect to pay between £350-1100 in the UK depending on your model. 

BMW offers a few different SUV models, they started with the X5 in 1999, and have since released the X1, X2, and X3. These offer SUV styling in a smaller overall vehicle size, making them more popular in cities and urban areas. 

How do I know if my BMW radiator is bad? 

There are two main warning signs that your 

, or water being lost from the expansion tank. 

An overheating engine can be symptomatic and the cause of serious engine issues, so it’s very important to drive as little as possible if your engine is above the normal temperature level. 

Leaks can sometimes be seen, either when driving or by noticing coolant on the floor when parked. Both of these can be caused by a leaking radiator or coolant system, and can be checked by monitoring the coolant level in the expansion tank. 

Like many vehicles there are some faults that are a common occurrence among BMW owners, alongside the infamous BMW 

 are a few coolant and radiator-related problems, read on to see if your car is affected. 

Used to contain the surplus coolant, and allow a moderate pressure to build in the system, the expansion tank is located under the bonnet, generally somewhere near the radiator. 

On some BMWs, mainly from the model years 2000 to 2008, the plastic expansion tank is known to develop leaks and even split open completely. Causing at first a slow loss of 

, followed by the system draining completely. 

If you notice your coolant tank leaking coolant, there are often uprated replacements you can replace it with, that retain the standard fitment and hose connections. 

Certain high-performance BMW models from 2009 through to 2016 were fitted with the N55 engine, this is a 6-cylinder 3-litre engine fitted to many cars including the 1 Series, 3 Series, X5, and X6. 

Certain versions of these engine and model combinations came fitted from the factory with a hard plastic link pipe on top of the radiator. The material used is susceptible to becoming brittle and cracking with the vibrations of the engine. 

This can cause a significant coolant leak. Thankfully it’s a simple fix that can be done by a home mechanic. 

A common theme from the Bavarian manufacturer is using inferior quality plastic where previously durable rubber or metal was better suited. Whilst not fitted to all their cars, models from the early to mid-2000’s such as E46 3 Series and 5 Series, had a plastic water pump. 

with these cars, the effectiveness of the water pump is the first thing the mechanic should check. 

Composite (plastic with fibre reinforcement) impellers were introduced shortly after BMW became aware of the problem. 

As the radiator is a relatively cheap part, it would usually be worth fixing a BMW radiator, assuming the rest of the car is in reasonably good condition, with no major issues such as rust or mechanical faults. 

Radiators are generally expected to last the economic life of the car, up to around 15-20 years. There is an outside chance it may receive damage by road debris or whilst other work is being carried out. 

That said, on cars 15 years or older, corrosion and wear may begin to catch up, this may be the case when a performance or special edition car has been kept on the road as a classic vehicle. 

What to do if your BMW radiator is leaking 

Because the coolant system is so important to any engine, we suggest not driving the car anymore than is necessary until it can be inspected. Whilst small leaks could be dealt with, they may be an indication of an impending catastrophic failure, which could leave you stranded. 

 with Bumper. We work with 1000’s of garages and service centres across the UK, to offer 

interest-free car repair payment with monthly installments

How Much Does A BMW Radiator Replacement Cost?

Wie viel kostet eine Autokühler-Reparatur? 

Seen the second Dune film and desperately looking for your next spice fix? Well, look no further, using AI technology so futuristic even the Harkonnen would be impressed, we’ve transported our cars, streets, towns and cities to a far-off galaxy and joined in the fight for Arrakis. 

And if you’ve not yet had the pleasure of watching Timothée Chalamet run around in the sand for 3 hours we might have just saved you some time and about £15.

Believe it or not, this lovely photo started out as a picture of Westminster Bridge. AI has really transformed this iconic London spot. Although, there’s always been a few sand snakes in there. 

We can definitely see Paul Atreides driving one of these. 