Chinese cars in Russia have long ceased to be exotic, and the marketing promises surrounding them are becoming bolder. In December, sales of the premium fastback Avatr 12 started, one of the main arguments for which was a lifetime warranty — true, available only to the first buyers. Against the background of such statements, a logical question arises: what real warranty do Chinese car owners receive, how does it work in everyday use, and what problems do they face during repairs.
Formally, the warranty periods for most brands look more than attractive. For Geely, Changan, and JAC, it is 5 years or up to 150,000 km, for Exeed — up to 7 years and 200,000 km, for Exlantix — up to 8 years. However, the key nuance is that the maximum terms almost always apply only to the main components — the engine, gearbox, and protection against through corrosion. Consumables and many elements have a reduced warranty, and any deviation from the maintenance schedule, even a minimal one, can become a reason for refusing free repairs.
According to dealers, owners most often apply for warranty with engine, transmission, and electronics problems. Rolf notes that such requests are individual and are usually resolved without lengthy repairs. However, independent services assess the situation more strictly: according to them, a number of new brands have questions about the quality of materials, assembly, and repairability itself. A separate problem is the interpretation of warranty conditions by dealers, when even a slight shift in maintenance timing can lead to refusal.
Additional difficulties arise when identifying "external impact". Suspension or body elements often fall under this concept, as well as defects that the dealer attributes to cosmetic ones — squeaks, peeling seams, minor deformations. The result largely depends on the specific dealership and its willingness to meet the client, which makes the warranty experience very uneven.
The situation with spare parts is also ambiguous. Brands that have been operating in Russia for a long time have better logistics, central warehouses, and a basic supply of parts. But newcomers still experience interruptions, especially due to dependence on sea deliveries. In official networks, typical spare parts are usually delivered in 1–3 days, and if the required component is not in the country, the waiting can stretch to 2–4 weeks or more.
Small body elements and electronics are in the greatest risk zone. Moldings, non-standard overlays, complex-shaped radiator grilles, control units for rare configurations, and interior details with unusual shades can take months to arrive. Complex units — engines, gearboxes, hybrid systems, and high-voltage batteries — are often ordered for a specific case, so delivery times start from 3 months and often turn out to be even longer.
A separate factor putting pressure on owners is the increase in prices. According to NAPI, since October 2024, auto parts and tires have risen in price by up to 41.2%, and the average increase in the insurance basket for Chinese cars was 16.3%. Prices for airbags have increased the most, and wheel disks the least. As a result, Chinese cars still offer a long warranty on paper, but in practice, owners are increasingly faced with waiting for parts, disputes with dealers, and noticeable expenses after purchase.