What Is a Car Warranty?

October 14, 2021

A person is holding a paper car in their hands. | Lex Brodies

An auto warranty is an important factor to consider when it comes to purchasing a car. It is a contract that compensates for the cost of repairing or replacing parts of your vehicle for some time. However, not all car warranties are created equally, which is why you must read over the fine print before making your purchase.

Factory Warranty

If you bought your vehicle from a dealership, you probably have a factory or manufacturer’s warranty. This type of warranty is possible for new, used, and certified pre-owned cars to cover any defective parts caused by any assembly errors. It is also only valid up to a certain number of miles or years. Some manufacturers are more forgiving than others, so that the numbers can vary. Another feature of the factory warranty is that it is movable from one owner to another as long as it hasn’t expired or been terminated.

Unfortunately, they can void the contract if you fail to follow factory guidelines, such as keeping up with regular maintenance services like oil changes, fluid flushes, and more. 

Does Service at Places Other Than the Dealership Void a Factory Warranty?

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has stated that it is illegal for any dealer to refuse your warranty coverage if you choose to get your routine maintenance or repairs done somewhere else. Most of the time, independent technicians or even your knowledge and skills can do the job just as good of a job, if not better. 

 

To get a bang for your buck out of your factory warranty, please go over your warranty before making any decisions concerning your car. For all your automotive needs, please give Lexbrodies a call or visit today!

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