If you are in the market for a used car, you probably want to know if the car comes with a warranty. It could be that the car came with a factory warranty when originally purchased and you want to know if it is still covered under that warranty, or it could be that you want to know if the dealer you are buying the car from offers a warranty that covers your purchase.
Factory Warranties
Generally, factory warranties stay with the vehicle when re-sold according to this article from AutoTrader.com. The warranty is usually based on the vehicle identification number (or VIN) and will be valid regardless of ownership. Be aware that if the warranty is valid for a certain number of months or years, that would be from the original date of purchase. For instance, if you bought a used 2014 model vehicle that had a 5 year factory warranty, but the original purchase date was October of 2013, then the warranty would expire in October of 2018, and not sometime in 2019.
There are some exceptions to this general rule. For instance, Hyundai and Kia come with a 10 year / 100,000 mile powertrain warranty, but that warranty is only valid for the original owner. If the vehicle is sold to a new owner, then the warranty changes to a 5 year / 60,000 mile warranty.
If a factory warranty is important to you, be sure to check with an authorized dealer to see if the factory warranty will cover your purchase. Manufacturer’s warranty terms will often change so it’s important to check before buying.
Dealership Warranties
When purchasing a used car from a dealership, it is possible the dealer will offer a warranty with your purchase. This warranty could be included with your purchase, like the 36 month / 36,000 mile warranty offered at Oak Motors, or it could be offered a la carte, at an additional cost to you. Some dealers may also offer extended warranties, which generally come at an additional cost.
Dealership warranties will vary from one dealer to another as to what parts of the vehicle are covered and which parts are not. In general, items like tires, windshield wipers, and such are not covered under warranty as those are expected to be replaced as they wear down. Be sure to check with the dealer what is covered under the vehicle warranty so that you will know what you are and are not responsible for repairing at your own cost.
Also, be aware that you could void your warranty. This article from Popular Mechanics indicates that if you make changes to the vehicle after purchasing it you could lose your warranty. You generally are okay to change your oil, replace tires or air filters, but if you make performance modifications to your vehicle then your warranty could become invalid. The warranty may also require you to keep up regular maintenance on your vehicle, like changing the oil consistently. This could apply to dealership or factory warranties so be sure to verify the terms of the warranty to ensure you don’t void it.
Categories: Buying Information