How To Check if Your Car is Under Warranty
A car warranty check by VIN can let you know if your car is covered by the factory warranty or if it’s time to look for other coverage options.
Key Takeaways:
- Locate your car’s VIN and enter it on the manufacturer’s website or give it to a dealership to verify warranty status.
- You can estimate warranty coverage by looking at your car manufacturer’s website considering your car’s age and mileage.
- Manufacturers and third-party companies offer extended coverage to handle repairs after the warranty expires.
Whether you are purchasing a used car or are just unsure of the terms of your older car’s warranty, there are a few ways to find your coverage details. In this article, we’ll explain how to check the warranty on a car, how to keep your car’s warranty valid, and what to do if it is expired.
It is important to understand all of the terms and conditions of your warranty so you don’t end up paying out of pocket for expensive repairs due to manufacturer error or faulty parts. If your warranty has expired, you may want to seek extended warranty coverage. You can see how much coverage from one of the best extended car warranty providers costs by getting free quotes below.
An extended car warranty refers to mechanical breakdown coverage offered by a vehicle manufacturer. However, this term is often mistakenly used to describe coverage from third-party companies. Independent providers offer similar protection through vehicle service contracts, but we’ve used the terms interchangeably in this article for convenience.
What Is A Car Warranty?
A car warranty comes with a new car when purchased from a dealership and is commonly referred to as a manufacturer or factory warranty. The warranty is an agreement to cover any damage to your vehicle that is caused by manufacturer error or faulty workmanship. It’s a guarantee that your vehicle is in proper working condition when you drive it off the lot, and that if any parts fail prematurely, you won’t have to pay to repair or replace them.
The manufacturer warranty is made up of a few levels of coverage, each protecting different components for different amounts of time. Each carmaker has different terms for what the factory warranty covers and how long it lasts.
How To Check The Warranty On A Car
Your manufacturer’s warranty will expire after a specified amount of time or mileage. For example, Ford’s warranty provides bumper-to-bumper coverage for 3 years/36,000 miles and powertrain coverage for 5 years/60,000 miles, whichever comes first.
If you’re unsure if your coverage is still in effect and are wondering how to check the warranty on your car, there are a couple of ways to do so:
- Use your vehicle identification number (VIN): Your VIN can be found in different places depending on your vehicle make and model. Some common places are on the inside edge of the driver’s side door or the driver’s side of the windshield. If you are able to locate your VIN, you can contact the dealership where you bought your car and a representative will be able to pull up the details of your warranty using the number. Most manufacturer websites have an owner’s portal where you can enter the VIN and see warranty information.
- Check the odometer and model year: The simplest way to find out if your car is under warranty is by checking the odometer and model year. If your warranty lasts for 5 years/60,000 miles and your car is over five years old or has an odometer reading higher than 60,000, then your coverage is expired. If you do not know the mileage limits of your warranty, check your owner’s manual or warranty information booklet, or call a dealership.
Different components of your vehicle are covered for different amounts of time, so it is important to clarify all of the terms of your warranty with the dealership so you are aware of what is covered and for how long.
Car Warranties Have Multiple Coverage Terms
Know that most warranties offer longer powertrain coverage than bumper-to-bumper coverage. Take Toyota, for example. Its bumper-to-bumper warranty is 3 years/36,000 miles while its powertrain warranty is 5 years/60,000 miles. So, components that are covered under the bumper-to-bumper warranty get shorter coverage than the powertrain.
The powertrain is made of the engine, transmission, and drive axle. These parts last longer and breakdowns are usually rare in the first few years of ownership. They can be very expensive to fix, however, which is why it’s nice to have a longer powertrain warranty.
Maintaining Your Car Warranty
If you violate the terms outlined in your warranty paperwork, you will no longer be eligible for some protection. Here are some ways you can avoid problems with your warranty:
- Keep up with routine maintenance: Follow your vehicle’s maintenance schedule to avoid damage caused by neglect or improper repairs. If you don’t keep your maintenance records, you may not be able to get coverage for certain parts.
- Read the fine print: If you read your vehicle’s warranty terms and understand them in full, you will be less likely to violate them by accident.
- Use the vehicle as intended: Using your vehicle for offroading or racing will void your warranty.
Do You Need An Extended Warranty?
If your warranty is about to expire or is no longer active, you might want to consider the pros and cons of an extended warranty. Extended warranties can be purchased from your vehicle manufacturer or a third-party company.
A manufacturer extended warranty can be purchased from the dealership and will kick in when your factory warranty expires. Every carmaker has different coverage options, but the plans will typically act as an extension of the powertrain warranty or bumper-to-bumper warranty you already had.
You can also purchase an extended warranty plan from a third-party company. Third-party companies typically offer more plan choices and lower prices. Manufacturer plans usually require you to visit a dealership for repairs, while third-party providers let you visit any licensed repair shop.
Recommendations For Extended Warranty Providers
There are many warranty companies out there, and our team has narrowed down the best extended car warranty providers so that you know which ones to trust. We evaluated companies based on coverage, cost, transparency, customer service, and industry standing. You can get free quotes from three of our highest-rated picks – Endurance, Carchex, and Carshield – below.
Car Warranty Check: Conclusion
The surefire way to find if your car is under warranty is to enter the VIN on your manufacturer’s website or give it to a dealer. If you want to cover your car for longer, you can get extended plans from the manufacturer or third-party companies.
FAQ: How To Check The Warranty On Your Car
Here are some frequently asked questions about how to check the warranty on your car:
How do I check my extended warranty?
If you’re unsure about the details of your extended warranty period, you either need to contact the dealership or the third-party company from which you purchased it. You will need to provide a representative with your VIN, and they can go over the terms of your warranty contract.
How long is your car under warranty?
Every car manufacturer has different terms for its new vehicle limited warranty. The standard length for a manufacturer’s bumper-to-bumper warranty is 3 years/36,000 miles and 5 years/60,000 miles for powertrain coverage. Some manufacturers have longer terms. For example, the Hyundai warranty and Kia warranty both provide powertrain protection for 10 years/100,000 miles.
Are used cars still under warranty?
If you buy a used vehicle, you can check its warranty status by providing the manufacturer with your VIN. Every manufacturer warranty expires after a certain amount of time or mileage, so the chances of your used car’s warranty still being active are slim unless it’s a newer model.
What will void the warranty on a car?
Your auto warranty can be voided altogether if your vehicle is given a salvaged title, declared a total loss, has suffered severe environmental damage, or has an altered odometer. There are other situations that can affect your warranty terms, so it is best to read the fine print.