Warranties and Independent Repair.
Automotive repair and warranties are one of those subjects that nearly everyone has an opinion on. If you want to liven up a debate at your local watering hole, ask a group of people how long a vehicle warrantee lasts, what it covers and whether extended warrantees worth it?
If you want to really make it lively, ask whether taking your vehicle to an independent automotive repair shop instead of the dealership’s service center will void the warrantee. Most people will tell you yes it does void the warrantee, and in this scenario most people would be wrong.
Warrantee Myths and Truths Related to Auto Repair Coverage
The truth of the matter is that you can take your car to independent automotive repair shop in San Diego for auto repairs or maintenance without it voiding the warrantee or making it any less valid. Don’t expect the dealership or their representative to let you in on that well-known industry secret. In fact, it is illegal for the dealership to require you to have your auto repair performed at their or any other service center.
The myth that you must use the dealership’s service center for auto repair to maintain your vehicle’s warrantee is widely believed. Because you may be required to prove you had oil change, transmission flush, cooling system service and other auto repair services performed on a regular schedule, it is a good idea to keep a record of all of your maintenance. This way you can ensure the warrantee remains valid.
How Long Do Auto Repair Warrantees Last?
The length of the warrantee varies from automaker to automaker so there’s no clear cut answer to this question. Almost all new vehicles today have a 3-year / 36,000-mile warrantee that provides bumper to bumper coverage. It covers everything except those parts that wear with everyday use such as brake pads.
Some auto manufacturers such as Korean-made Kia and Hyundai provide a 5-year/60,000-mile warrantee considered by many to be the best in the industry. Most other auto makers offer an auto repair warrantee that is somewhere in the middle.
In addition to this basic warrantee, dealerships and manufacturers also offer the powertrain warrantee, which covers most expensive components such as engine, transmission, and suspension system repairs. Such powertrain warrantees, which can cover 10-years / 100,000-miles, offer peace of mind to consumers.
Are Extended Warrantees for Auto Repair Worth It?
You can also find extended warrantees that are generally offered by the dealership. Whether or not they are worth is a debatable point. It is best to make sure you read and understand what exactly is covered in extended warrantees rather than make assumptions.
Sometimes people will buy them assuming they cover all major automotive repairs and then go to use it and find out their costly extended warrantee doesn’t really cover much at all. These extended warrantees have become a way for the dealerships to make a few extra bucks when selling you a new car because most people feel it will protect their investment.
The other point about extended warrantees that is worth mentioning is that you don’t have to buy them from the dealership as the sales person may make you believe. You can actually buy them online (for often a fraction of the cost) up until the time the current warrantee expires so there’s no rush.
What to Know about Used Car Warrantees for Auto Repair
As a way to increase confidence in purchasing a used vehicle, some dealerships offer “certified pre-owned cars” that include a manufacturer-backed warrantee. If you’re in the market for a used vehicle that’s only a few years old, this can ensure you don’t purchase a lemon or a junker.
It gets more complicated if you purchase a used vehicle from a private buyer. Many automakers won’t honor the warrantee for the secondary or tertiary vehicle owner. This is because they believe it becomes too difficult to prove the vehicle has had regular-mileage auto repair and maintenance. As such, if you are buying used and consider a warrantee to be a deal-breaker, consider buying from a dealership that offers certified pre-owned cars.
Last Word on Auto Repair Warrantees
Some people love warrantees and others simply shrug at the thought of them. Toyota for instance offers quite basic warrantees and has taken the position that their vehicles are so good they don’t need them. After all if a car manufacturer has to guarantee protection from auto repair in the form of a warrantee, what does it say about the quality of those cars? Either way, if you’re a warrantee fan or foe, it’s important to make sure you read them and know what auto repairs they cover.
