Modern vehicles typically come with warranties that protect the vehicle owners from manufacturing defects and faulty components. Vehicle manufacturers typically give a warranty period of around 2 to 5 years or a certain mileage number, such as 50,000 miles. This means the warranty will expire after the prescribed period or if the vehicle has exceeded the mileage number, whichever comes first.
If your vehicle has issues within this period, then the manufacturer will conduct repairs or replace the faulty component for free. If you’re looking to buy a secondhand vehicle that’s still relatively new, you might be curious if the vehicle is still under warranty. A vehicle that still has its warranty will be desirable because you’ll be protected from any unexpected costs if the vehicle has problems.
Most manufacturer vehicle warranties are lengthy documents filled with carefully worded clauses concerning coverage and terms. This paperwork can sometimes come in the form of a booklet that lists the vehicle information and the vehicle’s original owner.
Warranties offer a degree of protection by covering specific repairs and services for a vehicle within a specified timeframe or mileage limit. These warranties are provided by the manufacturer, the dealership where you purchased the vehicle, or a third-party provider. Understanding these warranty types is important if you have or are looking to get a vehicle.
The manufacturer’s warranty comes with the vehicle when it’s purchased from the manufacturer and this warranty covers the vehicle for a certain amount of years or miles, whichever comes first. Many manufacturers have a bumper-to-bumper warranty, which just means that it covers all the parts and systems in the vehicle, from the back bumper to the front bumper.
Some vehicles might have a powertrain warranty, which is a warranty on top of the manufacturer’s warranty. This warranty in particular covers the vehicle’s engine, transmission, and other critical components. These warranties are typically longer than the manufacturer’s bumper-to-bumper warranty, lasting around 5 to 10 years.
Having a faulty engine or transmission might cost several thousand dollars to repair because fixing engines is labor-intensive. Powertrain warranties are a way for a brand to demonstrate that they’re confident in their engine and transmission’s reliability, giving you the peace of mind that you won’t have to cover any potential engine or transmission repairs in case they break.
The federal government requires vehicle manufacturers to give hybrid or electric vehicle (EV) batteries special warranty coverage. An EV’s battery must come with a warranty that lasts at least eight years. The battery is similar to the engine and transmission in an internal combustion engine in that it’s an expensive component to repair if it has issues.
Brands like Mercedes-Benz and Toyota are some of the brands that provide 10-year warranties for their batteries, exceeding federal mandates.
An extended warranty is an optional add-on that extends the vehicle’s original manufacturer’s warranty. A dealership that sold you your vehicle with a three-year bumper-to-bumper warranty might also offer you an extended warranty that will extend the coverage to five years for an additional premium.
Also referred to as a service contract, an extended warranty provides coverage after the manufacturer’s warranty has expired. This type of warranty can be purchased from the manufacturer, dealership, or a third-party provider.
Some dealerships can sell pre-owned vehicles that have a special certified pre-owned (CPO) warranty. These vehicles are lightly used and have been thoroughly inspected. These types of warranties extend the manufacturer’s warranty, which means they’ll only start when the original manufacturer’s warranty has expired. Most CPO warranties typically add another one or two years on top of the manufacturer’s warranty. Sometimes, the dealership might even throw in additional perks like roadside assistance coverage, satellite radio subscriptions, or free maintenance.
CPO warranties are meant to give vehicle buyers confidence that the vehicle isn’t being sold because it has hidden faults or issues that might materialize down the line. That said, CPO-equipped vehicles tend to be more expensive than other used vehicles that don’t have CPO.
The US Federal Government mandates that vehicles must have an emissions warranty, which covers the cost of repairing or replacing the vehicle’s emissions system. This ensures the vehicle complies with the Clean Air Act of 1970.
Are you wondering “How do I check my car warranty?” Warranty information is typically inside the vehicle owner’s manual. Some vehicles might even have a separate warranty handbook.
If the warranty indicates the duration in years or miles, you can cross-reference it with the vehicle’s original purchase date and current mileage on the odometer.
However, these documents will only contain information about the manufacturer’s warranty. They won’t tell you if the vehicle has any extended warranties.
Still wondering how to check if your car is still under warranty? You should know your vehicle’s VIN and check vehicle data providers.
The VIN is typically found on the driver’s side windshield. It can also be on the vehicle’s paperwork, doorjamb, or registration. Once you know the vehicle VIN, you can input the number into online vehicle data providers. These websites include Carfax or VinCheck.info. You can also do this on the manufacturer’s website under the “warranty” or “ownership” section. This will require you to enter your vehicle’s VIN and other details.
If you can’t find any information about the vehicle, you can reach out to the manufacturer through a dealership and ask “Is my car still under warranty?”. A brand’s customer service department can assist in finding a vehicle’s warranty status by providing you with the vehicle’s VIN, purchase date, and current mileage.
Any information provided on this Website is for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace consultation with a professional mechanic. The accuracy and timeliness of the information may change from the time of publication.