Autosure MBI Review 2026: Best Mechanical Breakdown Insurance NZ?

Who should consider Autosure MBI?

It is most likely worth it if your car is out of manufacturer warranty, a used or imported vehicle, a European make, or financed, or if a sudden $5,900 to $9,600 repair would blow your budget. It makes less sense if your car is still under warranty, was recently bought from a dealer (the Consumer Guarantees Act may cover early major faults), or is low value enough to self-insure.

If you're looking to purchase a car from Trade Me or a private sale, and worried it could be a lemon, this could be a great option for you to explore. Mechanical Breakdown Insurance is designed to give you a peace of mind when it comes to covering you against expensive repair bills that are not from accidents, thefts or weather damage.

A transmission replacement runs around $9,600, an air conditioning repair about $8,600, and a head gasket about $5,900, based on Autosure's 2023/24 claims data. European vehicles cost more again. Comprehensive car insurance does not cover any of that, so once your engine, gearbox or turbo fails, the bill is yours.

Action: check your warranty status first. If it has expired or is about to, weigh a quote against likely repair costs for your make and model through Quashed.

What Autosure MBI covers: Advantage vs Advantage Plus

Autosure now offers two new tiers of cover, and the difference matters.

Advantage is the core tier. It protects the major systems behind the most expensive repairs: engine, transmission, fuel system, turbo, electrical, differential, drive shaft, braking, steering, suspension, cooling and air conditioning. Towing and Electric Vehicle Battery Cover are built in, and AA Roadservice can be included.

Advantage Plus includes everything in Advantage and adds the comfort, safety, technology and performance parts the core tier leaves out. That means Access and Comfort (lighting, electric tailgates, sunroof, seating, keys, locks), Assistance and Safety (adaptive cruise, parking and blind spot systems, emergency braking, cameras, airbags, seat belts, tyre pressure monitoring), Entertainment (speakers, infotainment, navigation), and Performance (spoilers, adaptive suspension, shock absorbers).

Both tiers let you add Consumables, Roadside Assistance and Travel Disruption cover for an extra premium. The table below shows how they line up.

What it costs: 3 real Market Scan examples

We ran a real-time Market Scan for three different vehicles, all on a 36-month (3 year) term. The prices below are for these specific vehicles and profiles only, with the optional roadside assistance add-on listed separately for reference. We have included both the full 3 year term cost and the equivalent monthly figure to make budgeting easier. Note that Autosure MBI is paid upfront as a single lump sum for the full term, not in monthly instalments. The monthly figures are shown only to help you compare the cost, not as a payment option.

Kia Sportage, vehicle value approximately $26,000 (36-month term, $300 excess)

2021 Mercedes-Benz, vehicle value approximately $51,990 (36-month term, $700 excess)

2021 Volkswagen Tiguan, vehicle value approximately $47,990 (36-month term, $700 excess)

Across these three vehicles, the mainstream Volkswagen and Kia models came in well below the premium Mercedes-Benz. On the Mercedes, Advantage was $5,290 over 3 years (about $146.94 a month) and Advantage Plus was $6,900 (about $191.67 a month). The Volkswagen Tiguan ran from $1,691 and the Kia Sportage from $1,104 over the same 3 year term, both before any optional extras. Your own quote will differ by make, model, age, mileage, term and excess.

Want pricing for your car? Run a free Quashed Market Scan to get a live MBI quote for your car in around 90 seconds.

What is not covered: pre-existing faults, wear and tear, manufacturer recalls or design faults, routine servicing, accident or fire damage, and cosmetic items. Specific exclusions include the chassis, catalytic converters, cambelts when overdue, tyres and wheels, batteries, exhaust systems, light bulbs, fuel tanks and weather seals. For how MBI and car insurance fit together, see our guide on Is Mechanical Breakdown Insurance Worth it NZ 2026.

The strengths and trade-offs of Autosure MBI

Autosure brings real advantages to a category that is often opaque, and the few trade-offs are mostly shared across the whole MBI market. Here is the honest picture.

What Autosure does well

• Pricing transparency. It is one of the few NZ MBI providers with upfront online pricing, so you can compare before a dealer finance desk does it for you.

• AA Roadservice. Either tier can include 24/7 AA Roadservice covering roadside repairs, towing, flat or faulty batteries, lockouts, tyre help and out-of-fuel delivery.

• Strong customer reviews. Autosure holds 4.6 out of 5 on Google Reviews from more than 3,089 reviews, with frequent praise for fast claims and practical support away from home.

• NZ owned, long track record. Operating since 1971 and part of Turners Automotive Group (NZX listed), with a B++ (Good) financial strength rating, outlook Stable, from AM Best.

• Nationwide repairers and EV cover. A nationwide repairer network means you are rarely far from one, and both tiers can include Electric Vehicle Battery Cover.

What to keep in mind

• Repairs go through an authorised repairer. You cannot use your own mechanic without prior authorisation, though the network is nationwide.

• Advantage leaves out comfort, safety and tech parts. If a camera, parking sensor, infotainment unit or adaptive suspension part fails, that is Advantage Plus territory. On a feature-heavy car, the upper tier can pay for itself.

• Some benefits are optional. Consumables, roadside assistance and travel disruption are add-ons rather than automatic, so it pays to confirm what you have selected.

• Premium is paid as a lump sum. Standard across NZ MBI, but the full term is due in one payment.

• Claims are made by phone or email. MBI claims go through 0800 809 700 or claims@autosure.co.nz rather than an online form, which is worth knowing if you prefer to do everything online.

Action: get a personalised quote through Quashed to see exactly what cover is available and what it costs for your car.

What real customers say

Autosure holds 4.6 out of 5 on Google Reviews from more than 3,089 reviews, one of the highest ratings of any vehicle insurer in New Zealand. Positive themes are consistent: fast claims, helpful staff, and practical support for drivers stranded away from home, including towing, rental cars and accommodation. The main criticism is about servicing conditions, not declined valid claims. If you do not keep proof of regular servicing, a claim can be declined, which is in the policy wording but easy to miss at purchase.

Action: keep every service receipt from day one, and if you break down, call Autosure (0800 809 700 for claims, 0800 581 581 for roadside) before authorising any repairs.

How to claim

Autosure’s claims process is very simple. They can help with towing if you need it and direct you to an authorised repairer. After that your car will be assessed and repaired, so you can get back on the road again as fast as possible. With more than 30 years’ claims experience, they know just how stressful car breakdowns are. You can have peace of mind, knowing you’ll be in safe hands with Autosure. However, there are two things that can trip people up: starting repairs without authorisation, and not having proof of servicing within the policy's intervals. Both can sink an otherwise valid claim.

Final verdict: is Autosure MBI worth it in 2026?

For drivers with a used car out of warranty, especially a European make or a financed vehicle, Autosure is one of the strongest MBI options in the market. Pricing transparency, the AA Roadservice option, a nationwide repairer network, a B++ rating and consistently strong reviews put it near the top of the category. Advantage covers the core mechanical systems; Advantage Plus extends that to the comfort, safety, technology and performance parts modern cars rely on.

It is not for everyone. If your car is under warranty, or you have a healthy emergency fund and a low-risk vehicle, you may not need it. But if a surprise $9,600 repair would hurt, MBI caps that risk.

Ready to compare? Run a free Quashed Market Scan to get a live MBI quote for your car in around 90 seconds.

Related Reading

More Quashed guides for drivers shopping for car insurance and vehicle protection:

• Is Mechanical Breakdown Insurance Worth it NZ 2026: Compare to Comprehensive. When you need one, the other, or both.

• Autosure Car Insurance Review NZ 2026: Premiums, Claims & Value Rated. Our full review of Autosure's comprehensive, third party and specialist cover.

• Ultimate NZ Guide to Car Insurance (2026): Compare & Find the Best and Cheapest Cover. Everything you need to choose the right car insurance in New Zealand.

• Cheap Car Insurance NZ 2026: Proven Ways to Lower Your Premium. Data-backed strategies to lower your premium.

• Comprehensive vs Third Party Car Insurance NZ 2026: Compare Cost & Cover. A clear breakdown of the cover tiers.

• Car Ownership Costs NZ 2026: Registration, Insurance & Total Running Costs Explained. Rego, WoF, fuel, insurance and total annual running costs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between Advantage and Advantage Plus?

Advantage is the core tier, covering major mechanical and electrical systems such as the engine, transmission, fuel system, electrics, cooling and air conditioning. Advantage Plus adds comfort, safety, entertainment and performance parts, such as cameras, parking and safety systems, infotainment and adaptive suspension. Both can include EV Battery Cover and AA Roadservice, with optional add-ons for consumables, roadside assistance and travel disruption.

How much does Autosure MBI cost?

It depends on your vehicle, the tier, the term and your excess. As a real example, a 2021 Mercedes-Benz ($700 excess, 36 months) was $5,290 over 3 years (about $146.94 a month) for Advantage and $6,900 for Advantage Plus, while a Kia Sportage ($300 excess, 36 months) started at $1,104 for Advantage. Japanese and Korean cars usually cost less than European or high-value vehicles. Run a Market Scan for your car.

Does Autosure MBI cover electric and hybrid vehicles?

Yes. Both tiers can include Electric Vehicle Battery Cover for parts such as the auxiliary engine and drive unit (inverter) and the dual charger and EV battery. The maximum payout scales with the vehicle's age at claim time.

Do I have to service my car to keep the policy valid?

Yes. Regular servicing is a strict condition. Keep a current Warrant of Fitness and meet the minimum intervals (generally every 15,000 km or 12 months for petrol and electric vehicles, or every 10,000 km or 12 months for petrol turbo, supercharged and diesel). Keep all service receipts.

Is MBI compulsory when buying from a dealer?

No. MBI is never compulsory, even with finance, and comparing independently through Quashed often beats dealer-desk pricing.