For most people in Bountiful, a car is their most valuable thing. But, unfortunately, they eventually fall apart as they get older and must be repaired. Fortunately, car warranties exist.
A car warranty is a contract that limits the financial risk of car owners for a specified period.
A car warranty will protect you against paying out-of-pocket costs if your vehicle needs repairs. However, not all Bountiful car warranties are created equal, and not all warranties are worth it.
This is a guide to automobile warranties. It explains how they work, what extended warranties are, and whether you should use them.
Table of Contents
What Is a Car Warranty?
A car warranty is a contract that states that the manufacturer of your car—or the aftermarket warranty company that you purchased an extended warranty from—will cover some repairs to your vehicle.
How Long Does a Car Warranty Last?
Car warranties are valid for a specific time or distance (miles).
A typical warranty period for an auto is three years or 36,000 mi. This means that the warranty will cover any repairs needed within the first three years of your vehicle’s ownership or the first 36,000 miles it is driven, whichever comes first. For most people, the mileage limit is first.
How Much Does a New Car Warranty Cost?
The cost of a new car warranty in Bountiful is included in the price. A dealer shouldn’t ask you to pay a warranty fee for a new vehicle.
Types of New Car Warranties
The majority of new cars are covered by multiple warranties.
- Comprehensive Warranty
Comprehensive, also known as bumper-to-bumper warranties, covers all parts of your car from when it was purchased.
- Powertrain Warranty
The powertrain warranty covers the mechanical parts of the car. It usually lasts several years or longer than the bumper-to-bumper warranty.
- Restraint Systems Warranty
The warranty for your car’s restraint system covers any damage to the airbags or seat belts. The warranties for restraint systems can differ from manufacturer to manufacturer.
- Corrosion Warranty
A lot of cars come with a corrosion warranty. It covers the cost of replacing damaged body panels that have rusted. However, these types of warranties require panels to be completely rusted through—not just a little surface rust.
- Emissions Warranty
An emissions warranty covers components that reduce your car’s emissions. These warranties can be complex and may warrant parts for shorter or longer periods. They may also differ from one state to the next.
- Hybrid Component Warranty and EV Component Warranty
Hybrid components warranties and Electric Vehicle (EV) component warranties cover repairs to the battery, motor, and other unique parts found in hybrid or electric cars.
Electric motors are easier to maintain and less susceptible to wear than gasoline engines. However, the battery in an electric or hybrid vehicle can be worth a lot more than the car itself, so replacing it is one of the most expensive repairs in the automotive industry. Therefore, these parts are covered separately.
- Extended Warranties
Extended warranties replace the manufacturer’s warranty that expires. These extended warranties are more expensive.
What Does a Car Warranty Cover?
Car warranties cover damage or defects that occur during normal use but not everyday wear and tear. The warranty allows the company to replace damaged parts with new or reconditioned parts. It also covers labor.
Your bumper-to-bumper coverage will cover the cost of replacing your air conditioner if it stops working. Likewise, your powertrain warranty will cover replacing a transmission damaged during Daily driving.
There are many reasons that your vehicle may need to be repaired, and they are not covered under the standard warranty.
Does the Warranty Transfer If a Car is Sold?
In Bountiful, most car warranties transfer with the vehicle when sold.
Sometimes, the terms of a warranty can be changed by transferring it. For example, Hyundai and Kia offer the longest warranties in the industry for new cars: a 10-year/100,000-mile warranty on the powertrain. However, if the vehicle is sold, the 5-year/60,000-mile warranty on the powertrain goes to the new owner.
How Do You Check If a Car Is Still Under Warranty?
You will need to know the vehicle’s mileage and purchase date to determine if your car is still covered by warranty.
The warranty details will be listed in the owner’s manual of your car. They start from the date the car was first sold.
Check the odometer to find out the mileage. The warranty will not cover cars whose mileage exceeds the limit. You will still need to verify the purchase date if the mileage does not exceed the limit.
If you do not know the purchase date, take down the VIN number and call any dealer selling the car brand. They’ll be able to look up the purchase date.
If you aren’t your car’s first owner, you should also ask if the warranty was transferred to the new owner. Almost always, the answer is yes. However, warranty terms may change for certain manufacturers or model years if a car is sold as a used automobile.
