This Brand is Now Offering a 10-Year Warranty on Its Two-Wheelers, And We’re Not Talking EVs Here

Yamaha has just announced a new initiative that’s bound to shake up the two-wheeler market: a free 10-year warranty on its petrol-powered motorcycles and scooters in India. The Japanese brand becomes the first major mainstream player in the segment to offer such an extensive warranty on internal combustion engine (ICE) models, a move that could well push rivals to rethink their after-sales strategy.

Covers All Current Models, Including R15, MT15 and Fascino

The new offer, officially called the “10-Year Quality Promise,” is applicable across Yamaha’s entire lineup of ICE scooters and motorcycles, including popular models such as the R15, MT15, FZ-X, Fascino 125 and RayZR 125.

This warranty is valid for a full 10 years or up to 1,00,000 kilometres, whichever comes earlier. The first five years are already covered under Yamaha’s standard warranty programme, while the extended coverage of an additional five years comes at no cost, provided the customer adheres to scheduled servicing norms.

Importantly, this extended warranty applies retroactively to vehicles sold on or after April 1, 2018, meaning a large number of current Yamaha owners can also benefit from the upgrade. They simply need to opt in via the official Yamaha Service app or visit an authorised dealership.

What’s the Catch? Service Compliance Is Key

As with any extended warranty programme, there are a few terms and conditions that need to be met. The most critical is service compliance. Yamaha has clarified that customers must service their vehicles as per the prescribed schedule at authorised service centres. Missing even one scheduled visit could disqualify a vehicle from the extended warranty benefits.

The company has tied this programme into its growing focus on quality and customer trust. In recent years, Yamaha has increased its emphasis on brand value and ownership experience rather than outright pricing battles. By offering such long-term support, it hopes to assure buyers that its two-wheelers are built to last which is something that has traditionally been a strong selling point for Honda, particularly in the commuter segment.

Aimed at Building Long-Term Trust and Reducing Ownership Cost

Yamaha’s decision is also part of a broader strategy to improve its value proposition in a highly competitive market, especially as premium 125cc scooters and 150cc motorcycles gain traction among urban riders. Offering a decade-long warranty not only lowers the long-term cost of ownership but also signals confidence in the product’s reliability which is something that can tip the scales for a buyer choosing between brands.

In effect, the warranty can act as a safety net against major repair bills in the later years of ownership, which is when many people start to consider resale or upgrades. It may also help boost resale value, especially for higher-end models like the R15, where prospective buyers would find a manufacturer-backed warranty to be a strong reassurance.

No EV Disruption. Just a Stronger Push for ICE

Interestingly, this initiative comes at a time when most warranty-related headlines in the two-wheeler space revolve around electric vehicles. Brands like Ola and Ather have started offering battery warranties up to eight years in a bid to win over sceptical buyers. Yamaha’s move, however, underscores the fact that the ICE market is far from irrelevant and continues to see robust demand in semi-urban and rural markets.

Unlike EVs, petrol-powered scooters and motorcycles still account for the vast majority of sales in India. A decade-long warranty on such vehicles is a significant value addition, and could be particularly attractive to customers who hold on to their vehicles for extended periods or pass them on within families.

A Smart Bet or Just a PR Move?

While some sceptics may view this as a marketing tactic, we think otherwise. Yamaha has long had a reputation for building well-engineered, durable motorcycles. This warranty just formalises what users have known anecdotally. As long as customers follow the service schedule, this move genuinely reduces long-term ownership costs.

Whether this prompts other manufacturers like Honda, TVS, or Bajaj to respond with similar offers remains to be seen. For now, Yamaha has drawn first blood in what could become a new benchmark in after-sales support.