What You Need to Know About Used Car Warranties

Posted Monday, May 22, 2023

New cars often come with manufacturer warranties that protect you from having to pay for electrical or mechanical failures. It is understandable that a used car won’t have the same extent of warranties compared to when it is shipped fresh out of the factory.

However, a reputable used car dealer, like Pro Care Auto Sales, may also provide you with warranties. Here’s what you should know.

The Manufacturer’s Warranty May Still Apply

There is a chance that the manufacturer’s warranty transfers to you when you buy a used car. To take advantage of a warranty, you should know what’s covered and if it’s transferable. The dealership should provide you with warranty documents for the car. Once you look at what's covered, along with other details like the expiration date and mileage, you can reach out to the manufacturer to verify if the details are accurate.

Most manufacturers will cover repairs for the car’s first three years or 36,000 miles, whichever comes first. The warranty for the powertrain usually lasts a bit longer.

The Details of a Used Car Warranty

You may be wondering what’s covered under used car warranties. The answer is that it varies from manufacturer to manufacturer and also depends on the make and model of the car. You should check in with the car dealership and the manufacturer to get more details.

In general, most warranties should cover the following:

Powertrain

The powertrain consists of many components, such as the engine, transmission, drive axle, turbocharger, differentials, and others. For obvious reasons, these parts can be fairly expensive to repair and replace. Most warranties should cover various parts of the powertrain, such as:

• Transmission
• Power source
• Transfer case
• Axles
• Differentials
• Drive box
• U joint and CV joint
• Driveshafts
• Axles
• Steering
• A/C
• Drive box
• Electric system

Pro tip: Consult the car’s owner’s manual to get more comprehensive details about warranty coverage and if it transfers to a new owner.

EV Warranty

Hybrid cars and electric vehicles cover the cost of replacing the electric motor and battery that power the car. EV batteries, in particular, can degrade faster in hotter climates because heat doesn’t sit well with their chemistry. Most EV batteries are very expensive and often account for half the car’s price. As a result, these warranties are often more generous and cover up to 10 years (or about 100,00 miles).

Corrosion Warranty

Also known as a ‘rust warranty,’ a corrosion warranty covers the damage done to the car’s body panels due to corrosion. The warranty may also cover ‘surface corrosion’ to restore the car’s ethics due to rusting. Note that a corrosion warranty is relatively rare, and even new cars don’t come with it.

What is Not Covered by a Used Car Warranty

There are a few things that may not be covered by a used car warranty. These include:

• Damage caused by accident: If you get into an accident that damages your car, the warranty may not cover the repair costs.
• Damage due to neglect: Failing to take care of your car and sending it in for maintenance can result in damage that isn’t covered under warranty. For example, failing to change the oil regularly will cause the engine to seizure, which is not covered under the warranty.
• Wear and tear; This is referred to as damage that occurs due to the normal use of the car. For example, brake pads are often not covered under warranty because they are considered to be a part of wear and tear.

You should understand what is and isn't covered by a used car warranty before you decide to purchase it. This will ensure that you can get the coverage you need when the car requires repairs.

What Can Void the Used Car’s Warranty?

There are several things that could void your used car’s warranty, including, but not limited to:

• Rough usage
• Not staying on top of maintenance services as recommended by the manufacturer or dealership
• Not following the dealership’s terms and conditions
• Accidents or damages where the owner is at fault
• Modifications being made to the car
• Use of substandard car parts
• Ignoring the warning lights blinking on the dashboard

Things to Consider When Buying a Used Car Warranty

When buying a used car warranty, you should keep the following aspects in mind:

• Understand what is and isn't covered by the warrant.
• Check the warranty length; some used car dealerships only offer a year or two, while others may cover five years.
• Consider the cost of the warranty related to the car’s price.
• Try to negotiate the warranty’s price.
• Make sure the used car dealerships are reputable and have been around for a while.
• Look at the dealership's online reviews to learn more about their services and their commitment to customer service.

Is Buying a Used Car Warranty Worth the Money?

For obvious reasons, you want to make sure your investment is safe when buying a used car. This is why it is a good idea to purchase a warranty for your used car. On the other hand, you may not need a warranty if you are an experienced driver. But if the used car is sufficiently old and is more likely to run into mechanical issues, it may be a good idea to invest in a warranty.

At the end of the day, the decision should be based on your preferences and budget. If you want to protect yourself from unexpected expenses, consider buying a used car warranty. This will give you some peace of mind when driving the car.

Wrapping Up

You should consider various factors when buying a used car warranty. Do as much research as you can and ask as many questions as possible before spending your money. For what it's worth, you should get the used car inspected by an expert to ensure that it doesn’t have any hidden problems. It is also important to test drive the car before buying it.

For more information on used car warranties, get in touch with our experts at Pro Car Auto Sales here.