Right now there’s a lot of promotions out there for automobile warranties. There are offers for extended warranties. There are warranties to cover used car repairs. There’s protection for items that aren’t covered under warranty. And, as with most “small print”, there’s a big learning curve when it comes to warranty work for your vehicle.
Let’s get this out of the way right up front: Many may still think that you have to take your car, truck or SUV back to the original dealer to have needed maintenance and service work performed for it to be covered. This is simply NOT the truth!
As a consumer, it’s your right to look for the best shop that fits your needs including price and/or a deal with people that YOU TRUST. It’s truly a “buyer beware” market.
Take for example, used cars. There are a number of states that restrict a car from being sold “as is”. You can look up your state’s ruling through your state attorney general’s website or contact their office. There is this thing called a “BUYERS GUIDE” that you should get when you purchase a used vehicle (unless you are buying through a private party). You need to know that even if your contract says you bought the car “as is”, the BUYERS GUIDE will tell you what should be covered by warranty. Also, pay attention to rules and regulations regarding Emissions Testing for the sale of a vehicle. Some states require that the seller prove that the vehicle can pass Emissions or Inspection in order for the buyer to be able to register the vehicle prior to the sale of the vehicle.
Also know that the manufacturer’s warranty might still be valid on your used car. Again – check in your BUYERS GUIDE under “systems covered” and look for the duration of the initial warranty then make sure that it’s transferrable.
We spoke with General Manager Brandon Pickering of Pickering’s Auto Service in Lakewood and Arvada / Westminster, Colorado about all this. “Warranties can be very confusing. Along with that, there are often recalls on parts or systems that might be covered. It could be very beneficial for the customer to talk with someone who understands this and is linked into databases that can provide this information and then they can relay and explain the ins and outs to the vehicle owner.”
If your used vehicle comes with a used car warranty, there may be limited coverage. You’ll want to check who you’re buying the warranty from since many dealers offer third-party warranties. You will then need to research this company to make sure they are a quality company. Search for them under the BBB or other platforms to see if they stand behind their warranties.
It is also important to make sure that the service provider you select warrants THEIR work.
Trent Pickering goes on to say, “Not all warranty plans are the same. For example, we offer a standard 36 months or 36,000 mile warranty that covers parts and labor on all repairs we do. Additionally, we work with NAPA and they offer a 36 month or 36,000 mile NATIONWIDE warranty. This means that if you’re traveling further than 50 miles from our shops and something goes wrong on a system or part that Pickering’s had previously repaired within the warranty duration, you can take it into any NAPA AutoCare center and their warranty will take affect. It’s like double coverage and really offers our customers peace of mind.”