What are the Components Covered in a Car Warranty? A Comprehensive Guide

Learn about what components are covered in a car warranty and how to get a guarantee from an accredited company.

What are the Components Covered in a Car Warranty? A Comprehensive Guide

When it comes to car warranties, it's essential to understand what is included and what is not.

Car warranties

may cover some or all of the components inside the vehicle, such as the engine, electronic and air conditioning systems, and the transmission. Additionally, if your car needs brake pads after only 10,000 miles, the warranty may cover the cost of the new pads and the cost of finding out what part of the brake system is malfunctioning to wear them out so quickly and repair it as well. It's worth researching the warranty coverage of the vehicles you're interested in and understanding in advance what's covered and what isn't in case something goes wrong.

Replacing the common parts of an expensive European luxury car costs much more than replacing the same parts in a conventional domestic car.

A car warranty

is a contract that stipulates that either the vehicle manufacturer or the after-sales warranty company from which you contracted the warranty extension will pay for certain repairs to the vehicle. CARCHEX is one of those companies with an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau if you're looking for a guarantee from an accredited company. However, the battery in an electric or hybrid car can represent much of the car's value, and replacing it is one of the most expensive repairs in the automotive world.

Some parts of your car are expected to wear out regularly, so car warranties only pay to replace them if they wear out ahead of schedule. Tires are often not covered by car warranties because they are usually classified as wear and tear items. In theory, the longer the vehicle warranty lasts, the more reliable the car in question should be. After-sales warranties are also attractive for those who have used cars outside the manufacturer's warranty period.

In fact, not complying with the manufacturer's recommended maintenance program may void the car's warranty. A standalone powertrain warranty covers the mechanical parts that move the car and generally lasts several years, or several years of driving, longer than a bumper-to-bumper warranty. For example, depending on the car model, it's normal to replace brake pads every 25,000 to 70,000 miles.

Célia Peals
Célia Peals

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