What Voids A Car Warranty?
A tampered odometer or salvage title voids a car warranty while situations like aftermarket modifications can cause certain claims to be denied.
With our #1 rated provider, 
Key Points:
- A tampered odometer or salvage title can void your entire warranty.
- Misuse, aftermarket modifications, lack of maintenance, and improper maintenance can cause claims for certain systems to be denied.
- Always use your vehicle properly and keep up maintenance to avoid claims being denied.
Warranty contracts include terms that void the warranty under certain conditions. While a voided car warranty is rare, we’ll discuss how this can occur, in detail, as well as what can cause your claim to be denied. And if you’re shopping for a reliable extended car warranty, know that these warranties also include similar terms for voiding coverage.
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 new car warranty, also referred to as a manufacturer’s warranty, comes with your new or certified pre-owned vehicle from the dealership. A car warranty covers costly repairs caused by factory defects or faulty components.
An extended auto warranty, also called a vehicle service contract, extends protection after your factory warranty expires. You can either purchase an extended warranty from the dealership or a third-party provider. Manufacturer and extended warranty contracts have similar situations that can void your warranty or cause your claim to be denied.
These warranties and protection plans are designed to cover specific repairs and components. They can be voided under certain conditions, which we’ll cover next.
What Voids A Car Warranty?
A manufacturer or provider is allowed to void your warranty only under specific terms outlined in the contract. Some situations will void your entire warranty, meaning you will no longer be able to file claims for repairs. Below are the two most common situations that can void a car warranty.
Salvage Title From Accident Or Environmental Damage
Once your car has been declared a total loss and given a salvage title, the warranty will be completely void. If your car was totaled after an accident, your insurance company will compensate you for its market value provided you have comprehensive or collision coverage. If you choose to keep the vehicle and rebuild it yourself, the DMV will issue a salvage title brand and it will be denied any further warranty coverage.
Similarly, let’s say your car was exposed to a hurricane and totaled. It might have a salvageable engine and drivetrain, but your warranty coverage will be void.
One thing to keep in mind is that vehicles on the private market may be sold with salvage titles. Make sure you know the title status, because you could end up purchasing a car that isn’t eligible for any kind of extended warranty.
Altered Odometer
All warranty coverage hinges on the odometer. If you’re covered up to 100,000 miles, but the odometer has been tampered with, the dealer won’t know the real mileage. People also commit odometer fraud to trick buyers into thinking a car has fewer miles on it. A tampered odometer voids the warranty in all cases.
What Causes A Warranty Claim To Be Denied?
Other instances won’t cause your entire warranty to be void, but they might cause a repair claim to be denied. This situation is more common. Warranties have contract terms that exclude many different situations from coverage. Here are a few examples:
- Damage from use of aftermarket modifications: The use of aftermarket parts may void your warranty or cause your claim to be denied. If these parts or repairs cause damage to components of your vehicle, the claims for repairs of those parts will be denied.
- Damage from misuse: Considering the purpose of the car, taking a vehicle off-road can cause damage that wouldn’t be covered. Likewise, most mass-market performance and sports cars aren’t actually meant for the race track. If your engine breaks down after pushing it too hard on the track, the damage won’t be covered.
- Damage from improper repairs or maintenance: If you took your vehicle to a non-approved repair facility that caused damage to your vehicle, your claim may be denied. Similarly, your engine would no longer be covered if you poured cooking oil into it.
- Damage from neglect or lack of maintenance: If you skip out on routine maintenance, you can cause serious damage to your vehicle, and your claim to repair this damage could be denied.
Every car manufacturer and independent provider has different terms and conditions. Read the fine print of your warranty contract carefully to understand what can void your warranty and how to best hold up your end of the agreement.
To reiterate, the examples above are reasons why certain claims would be denied, but they don’t void your entire warranty. For example, racing damage to the engine doesn’t affect your coverage on the air conditioning system.
What To Do If Your Warranty Claim Is Denied
If you believe your warranty claim was wrongfully denied, you may be able to find a resolution by appealing the denial. However, you will still have to pay for the repairs yourself while the case is getting resolved.
If your claim was denied and you are unsure why, you can contact the provider to receive further explanation. If the situation is serious, you can also seek legal action. In some cases, it might also be beneficial to seek coverage elsewhere, especially if you can cancel your contract.
How To Avoid Problems With Your Car’s Warranty
The best way to avoid problems with your warranty is to read the fine print of your contract and make sure you understand the terms. If you have any questions about your warranty, we recommend reaching out to your car dealership or provider to ask them any questions.
If you operate your vehicle as intended and follow your vehicle’s maintenance schedule carefully, you will be less likely to sustain damage and have your warranty voided. It’s also a good idea to keep track of all services and repairs performed on your vehicle so you can avoid missing out on a claim for lack of documentation.
Should You Get An Extended Warranty?
If you plan on keeping your vehicle beyond the factory warranty, an extended warranty can be a good option. You’ll encounter more issues with cars over 100,000 miles, as well.
You can find plans from the manufacturer or from third-party providers. Plans usually range from basic powertrain warranty coverage to factory-level bumper-to-bumper coverage. We’ve found third-party companies often offer more flexibility in the number of plans, pricing, and where you can get repairs done. Compare prices from our top picks below.
What Voids A Car Warranty: Conclusion
There are really only two scenarios that completely void a car warranty: having a tampered odometer or a salvage title. But you can avoid claims being denied by keeping up on regular maintenance and using the car according to manufacturer specifications.
FAQ: What Voids A Car Warranty
Below are a few frequently asked questions on what voids a car warranty:
Will an exhaust void my warranty?
An aftermarket exhaust won’t void your warranty. However, it will void coverage on the exhaust system. Also, if the aftermarket exhaust causes damage to another component, that component won’t be covered.
Will doing my own maintenance void a warranty?
Doing your own maintenance doesn’t void your warranty as long as you keep good records and perform proper service. Doing improper maintenance can void coverage on your engine or other systems that had bad services.
Do I have to service my car at the dealer to keep the warranty valid?
Most manufacturers recommend that you visit a dealer for repairs, but visiting another licensed shop won’t void your warranty. Just make sure you keep up with maintenance and the repair facility is reliable.
What happens if the dealership can't fix my car under warranty?
If the dealership can’t fix your car, your claim has likely been denied. You then have several options on how to proceed. You can appeal the denial, seek warranty coverage elsewhere, or pay for the repairs yourself.
How We Rate Warranty Providers
Our review process aims to deliver consistent and unbiased assessments of extended auto warranty providers. While there are multiple qualities that make a warranty company successful, our review team focuses on those we believe are the most important for consumers:
- Reputation: It’s important that an extended car warranty company is able to meet its claims obligations. Companies with a strong rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and a long history of reliable service score well in this category. We also evaluate the availability and transparency of each company’s contracts, as well as whether each provider offers a money-back guarantee.
- Coverage: Our team of experts looks at the number of extended warranty plans available, as well as term limits, exclusions, and added benefits like roadside assistance. Ratings also take into account the availability of maintenance coverage.
- Cost: Cost can be difficult to compare between providers because so many factors impact vehicle service contract pricing. To determine our cost score, we perform a secret shopper analysis for a variety of vehicles and plans and consider available deductibles.
- Customer Experience: We listen to real customer sales calls and comb through reviews on sites like the BBB to learn about customer experiences. Warranty companies with a low volume of complaints score well in this area. We also consider the availability of mobile apps and chat features.
