CARCHEX Guides Reviews Team 07/13/2022 12:35 pm
Disclosure: This content was produced by an independent editorial party for the purposes of educating our customers, and is not influenced by the other business operations of CARCHEX.
A manufacturer warranty is offered to car buyers as a promise that the seller backs its vehicle against design defects. Auto dealers are bound by the manufacturer warranty (also known as the factory warranty) to repair, replace, or reimburse customers for damages that occur — to a certain extent.
Whether you’ve purchased a new or certified pre-owned (CPO) vehicle, your dealer likely offers a basic warranty plan along with the purchase. Your vehicle will likely outlast that manufacturer warranty, though, so get an extendedcar warranty quotefrom CARCHEX to protect your car long into the future.
Manufacturer Warranty Plan Types
Manufacturer warranty plans typically cover parts and systems that break down due to design flaws or defects in factory-installed parts. Most new or CPO vehicles come with this limited form of car protection.
Here are some of the factory plans you’re likely to come across while car shopping:
Manufacturer Warranty Type | Manufacturer Warranty Details |
|---|---|
New vehicle limited warranty |
|
Powertrain limited warranty |
|
Emissions warranty |
|
Corrosion warranty |
|
Lifetime limited parts warranty |
|
Maintenance warranty |
|
What’s Not Covered by Your Manufacturer Warranty?
A manufacturer warranty covers repair and replacement costs due to factory errors but excludes nearly all damage outside of that. The following items are not covered by a typical car warranty:
- Routine maintenance—Oil changes, brake pad replacements, tire rotations, and similar tasks must be paid out-of-pocket.
- Normal wear and tear items—Brakes, brake pads, clutches, windshield wiper replacements, and similar parts are outside of nearly all warranties.
- Damage caused by accidents or environmental factors—If your car is hit by another car or harmed by elements such as hail or wind, turn to your insurance company instead of your dealer.
- Cosmetic parts—If you get a ding in your windshield or your paint chips, a manufacturer warranty won’t cover the repairs.
- Damage caused by improper car care—If you avoid regular maintenance, don’t expect the manufacturer to repair or replace a part for you.
Vehicles aren’t meant to last forever, but they can last for many years if given proper care. Along with ensuring routine maintenance, it’s a good idea to consider an extended warranty, which covers mechanical breakdowns for long after yourcar warrantyends.
How Long Does a Manufacturer Warranty Last?
Manufacturer warranty lengths vary greatly based on your car’s brand, make, model, and year. Expect Honda and Dodge, for instance, to have drastically different warranty details. Below is a comparison of some of the most common vehicle warranty providers and the lengths of their coverage:
Automaker | New Vehicle Limited Warranty Period | Powertrain Warranty Period |
|---|---|---|
Hyundai | 5 years or 60,000 miles | 10 years or 100,000 miles |
Cadillac | 4 years or 50,000 miles | 6 years or 70,000 miles |
Porsche | 4 years or 50,000 miles | 4 years or 50,000 miles |
Nissan | 3 years or 36,000 miles | 5 years or 60,000 miles |
Chevrolet | 3 years or 36,000 miles | 5 years or 60,000 miles |
Toyota | 3 years or 36,000 miles | 5 years or 60,000 miles |
Ford | 3 years of 36,000 miles | 5 years or 60,000 miles |
When your factory warranty expires, you lose protection of your vehicle and can benefit tremendously from an extended warranty. Buying extended coverage from athird-party providersuch as CARCHEX is typically muchmore affordablethan buying a manufacturer extended warranty.
What Is an Extended Warranty?
Extended warranties, also called vehicle service contracts, provide coverage after your manufacturer warranty ends. Some automakers offer their own choices, but they often require that you buy one while your car is still under its factory warranty.
Apart from the manufacturer, you can buy an extended warranty through a third-party provider such as CARCHEX. The timing of when you can purchase these plans is more flexible, withCARCHEX warrantiescovering vehiclespast 100,000 miles.
While third-party providers offer extended service contracts for older cars, it’s best to buy early. Expect a lowerextended warranty costif you buy one before your manufacturer warranty ends, as your car will be newer.
Financial Benefits of Extended Warranties
Unexpected repairs and replacements can be quite costly and stressful. A car transmission, for example, costs anaverage of $1,800 to $3,400to replace. A fuel pump costs anaverage of $436to replace, and a coolant change can cost anywhere from$98 to $123. The average cost of replacing a power steering pump isanywhere from $492 to $682.
Vehicle service protection plans can save you hundreds, if not thousands, on unexpected repair and replacement costs. Mechanical breakdowns are inevitable no matter how well you take care of your vehicle, so find some peace of mind by adding extended coverage to your vehicle.
CARCHEX Extended Warranty Benefits
With five protection plan levels, CARCHEX offers customizableaftermarketcare. Get basic powertrain coverage or a comprehensivebumper-to-bumper extended warranty. Either way, you’ll enjoy the benefits of choosing aCARCHEX warranty, including:
- 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee—If you’re not satisfied with your plan or if you change your mind after purchasing, you can get full reimbursement for up to 30 days.
- Flexible repair facility options—With an extended warranty from CARCHEX as opposed to a manufacturer warranty, you get to choose your repair shop, mechanics, and parts.
- 24/7 emergency roadside assistance—You can’t predict when your car will break down. Roadside assistance, rental car coverage, and towing reimbursement are included in all CARCHEX plans.
- Direct payments—Rather than waiting for reimbursement, CARCHEX pays the repair shop directly. This is ideal for any customer wanting to avoid out-of-pocket fees.
- Affordable payment plans—With extended warranty plans from CARCHEX, you can pay upfront or choose a monthly payment option. Deductibles can be as low as $0.
- Free quote available—You don’t have to wait to determine the cost of a protection plan. Simply fill out our online form and get a quote on your vehicle today.
With CARCHEX, you gain some peace of mind knowing you’ll be covered if anything happens after your manufacturer warranty ends. Our customer Horacio S. left usthis reviewon the Better Business Bureau (BBB) website in 2019:
Great prices and great customer service! Would recommend it to anyone looking for an extended warranty for their vehicle.”
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Frequently Asked Questions
Sources:
EPA:https://www.epa.gov/transportation-air-pollution-and-climate-change/frequent-questions-related-transportation-air
AAA:https://drivinglaws.aaa.com/tag/emissions-inspection/
AARP:https://www.aarp.org/auto/trends-lifestyle/info-2018/how-long-do-cars-last.html
Consumer Reports:https://www.consumerreports.org/car-repair-maintenance/make-your-car-last-200-000-miles/
AAA:https://newsroom.aaa.com/tag/cost-to-own-a-vehicle/
Transmission Repair Guide:https://www.transmissionrepaircostguide.com/
Auto Service Costs:https://autoservicecosts.com/fuel-pump-replacement-cost/
RepairPal:https://repairpal.com/estimator/coolant-change-cost
RepairPal:https://repairpal.com/estimator/power-steering-pump-replacement-cost
Better Business Bureau:https://www.bbb.org/us/md/hunt-valley/profile/extended-warranty-contract-service-companies/carchex-0011-23015869/customer-reviews
Cornell:https://www.law.cornell.edu/ucc/2/2-314
UpCounsel:https://www.upcounsel.com/warranty-laws-by-state