How Long Does a Vehicle Manufacturer’s Warranty Policy Last for? [Complete Coverage & Warranty Lengths]

What is Vehicle Manufacturer’s Warranty?

A vehicle manufacturer’s warranty is a guarantee from the manufacturer that if problems occur within a certain period of time or number of miles, they will be responsible for the repairs. This is typically included with the cost of a new car and ends after a specific amount of time or miles. The warranty can include a powertrain warranty, corrosion, maintenance, and emissions coverage. It is important to know what is and is not included in the warranty to make an informed decision about any additional coverage offered by the dealership. The most popular types of manufacturer’s warranties are powertrain warranties and bumper-to-bumper warranties which cover damages to the propulsion system and nearly everything between the two bumpers, respectively. A manufacturer’s warranty does not cover accidents or normal wear and tear.

What are the Benefits of Having a Vehicle Manufacturer’s Warranty?

1. Protection Against Repairs and Replacement Costs

A vehicle manufacturer’s warranty provides protection from factory and workmanship-related errors only. It typically does not cover routine maintenance, normal wear and tear items, damages caused by accidents or environmental factors, cosmetic parts, or damages caused by improper car care. This type of warranty is meant to protect you from unexpected repair costs and ensure that you don’t have to pay out of pocket for repairs caused by factory defects.

2. Coverage for Common Mechanical Defects

Bumper-to-Bumper Warranty: This coverage covers defects in materials or workmanship for many parts of the car, and does not cover wear items such as brakes and tires, or environmental damage like external rust or windshields. It also does not cover routine maintenance, misuse of the vehicle, or acts of God.

Powertrain Warranty: This warranty covers the powertrain, or the train of power from the engine to the wheels. It covers defects in the engine, transmission, drive axle, and other related components.

Corrosion Warranty: Also called an anti-rust or anti-perforation warranty, this coverage protects rusted-through body sheet metal panels, but typically does not cover perforation caused by environmental damage, like acid rain.

Emissions Warranty: This coverage is regulated by the federal government, and protects all emissions-related components to ensure that the vehicle’s emission output is within federal limits. California has its own set of emissions guidelines, which automakers also include in their factory warranty coverage.

SRS Warranty: This warranty applies to the vehicle’s seat belts, air bags and other related safety components.

Extended Car Warranty: This type of warranty provides additional protection for parts and systems that may break down due to design flaws or defective factory-installed parts. It may also cover damage caused by oil leaks or other non-insured parts.

3. Ability to Make Warranty Claims at Any Time

Having a vehicle manufacturer’s warranty allows users to make warranty claims at any time, as the warranty covers any mechanical fault caused by a manufacturing defect. These warranties offer peace of mind, as they can be extended with regular servicing and comes with a standard three-year warranty from the vehicle’s registration date. On the other hand, third-party warranties, such as extended warranties, require users to meet certain requirements in order to make a claim, such as having the vehicle serviced on the recommended intervals, and avoiding any modifications or repairs with non-standard parts. Additionally, claims may be invalidated if the incorrect fuel or fluids are put into the vehicle, or if the correct warranty claim procedure is not followed.

4. Convenience of Making Claims at a Local Dealer

Having a warranty claim made at a local dealer can be a more convenient option for customers who are not keen on shopping around for a third-party warranty or who simply want to keep their business with the dealership from which they purchased their vehicle. By having the claim made at a local dealer, the customer can rest assured that the claim will be handled quickly and that the correct parts and labor will be used on their vehicle. Additionally, by using a dealership warranty, customers can have the repairs made at an authorized brand dealership or service center, which eliminates the hassle of finding a certified mechanic to diagnose and repair the issue. Finally, customers who purchase an extended warranty from a dealer may also feel more secure in their purchase knowing that they are covered by the Motor Industry Code of Practice for Vehicle Warranty Products, which ensures that customers are given clear information, that their claims are handled properly, and that their complaints are addressed.

5. Ability to Receive Expert Advice on Car Repairs

Having a vehicle manufacturer’s warranty can be a great help when dealing with expensive car repairs. Such a warranty is typically provided by the manufacturer when purchasing a new car, and can provide a great deal of peace of mind. This is because it covers the cost of labor and parts for mechanical or electrical breakdowns, making repairs much more affordable. Furthermore, warranty coverage is typically only accepted at authorized brand dealerships or service centers, meaning that customers can be assured of quality workmanship. Having this type of protection can remove the pressure of having to replace a vehicle before the owner is ready, and can make the prospect of keeping an older car far more feasible.

6. Peace of Mind Knowing Your Car Is Covered

Having a vehicle manufacturer’s warranty is an important benefit for car owners, as it offers financial protection in the event of a mechanical or electrical breakdown. The coverage provided by these warranties can save car owners from expensive repair bills and potential car replacement costs. Additionally, most new cars come with several different warranties, meaning that car owners can obtain even more comprehensive coverage for their vehicle. This can give them greater peace of mind, knowing that their car is protected from any sudden and unexpected repairs that may come up. Ultimately, having a vehicle manufacturer’s warranty can be a great way for car owners to save money and protect their investment.

7. Access to Roadside Assistance Programs

Having a vehicle manufacturer’s warranty can help with roadside assistance programs by providing coverage for services such as towing, winching, battery jump-starts, lockout services, emergency fuel deliveries and flat tire changes. This coverage helps to ensure that you are protected from any unexpected expenses should you find yourself with an issue while driving. With this warranty, you can have peace of mind knowing that you can rely on the services of the roadside assistance program if you need it.

8. Understanding of Coverage and Warranty Limits

A vehicle manufacturer’s warranty typically includes three types of coverage: a basic limited warranty, an extended warranty, and a bumper-to-bumper warranty. The basic limited warranty usually covers the car for a set number of years or miles and generally covers defects in materials or workmanship for most parts of the car. The extended warranty is an additional coverage that may extend the basic limited warranty for a longer period of time. The bumper-to-bumper warranty provides comprehensive coverage for defects in materials or workmanship for many parts of the car and typically excludes wear items like brakes and tires, as well as environmental damage like external rust or windshields.

When considering which warranty or coverage is best for you, it is important to check the limit of the coverage, the servicing schedule, the list of exclusions, the 14-day cooling off period, any mileage limitations, and the maximum amount paid for labor costs. Additionally, it is important to make sure the warranty company is registered with the ABI and that the policy covers the full cost of repair and not just parts or labour.

9. Ability to Save Money on Repairs Through Manufacturer Discounts

Having a vehicle manufacturer’s warranty can help save money on repairs by covering the costs of parts and labor for factory and workmanship errors, as well as other damages caused by accidents or environmental factors. This protection can help remove the pressure to replace a vehicle before the owner is ready, and cover the costs of expensive repairs as the vehicle ages. In addition, factory warranties usually offer flexible terms and help to preserve monthly budget forecasting, which helps to ensure that expenses can be managed efficiently.

10. Ability to Track Warranty Claims and Monitor Repairs

Having a vehicle manufacturer’s warranty can help with warranty claims and repairs in a number of ways. Firstly, the Motor Industry Code of Practice for Vehicle Warranty Products sets out clear guidelines for the advertising, point of sale obligations, clarity of information provided to customers, handling of claims, service contracts, guarantees and non-insured products, insured products and complaints handling. This provides customers with a clear set of rules and regulations to follow when making a claim. Secondly, it offers protection from expensive repairs, as the manufacturer will cover the cost of any repairs necessary to keep the car running. Lastly, the manufacturer’s warranty may also cover betterment costs, meaning that older parts may be replaced with newer, more reliable components and the customer will not have to pay for the upgrade.

What is the Coverage and Length of Vehicle Manufacturer’s Warranties?

1. Warranty length

A vehicle manufacturer’s warranty typically covers a certain period of time or number of miles, depending on the make, model, and year of the vehicle. The length of the warranty can vary widely from manufacturer to manufacturer. The most common types of warranties are bumper-to-bumper coverage, powertrain coverage, corrosion coverage, and roadside assistance. Bumper-to-bumper coverage usually covers repair or replacement of vehicle components due to defects in materials or workmanship, while powertrain coverage usually covers the major components of the engine, transmission, and drivetrain. Corrosion coverage covers repair or replacement of components due to rust or corrosion, and roadside assistance covers services such as towing, lockout assistance, and tire changes. Volkswagen has the longest bumper-to-bumper coverage warranty term length, while Hyundai, Mitsubishi, and Kia are all tied for the longest powertrain warranty term length. Toyota has the shortest factory warranty, a middle-of-the-road powertrain limited warranty, and the shortest roadside assistance period.

2. Manufacturer’s warranty

A manufacturer’s warranty for a vehicle is a guarantee from the automaker that if any problems occur within a certain period of time or number of miles, they will be responsible for the repairs. It also includes a powertrain warranty, corrosion, maintenance, and emissions coverage. Most new cars typically have a three-year or 36,000-mile manufacturer’s warranty. However, wear-and-tear parts like brake pads and routine maintenance services like oil changes aren’t covered by the warranty. Certified pre-owned (CPO) vehicles are also typically covered by a manufacturer’s warranty. The length of the warranty depends on the car manufacturer, but it can be extended with a vehicle service contract.

3. Warranty coverage

Vehicle manufacturers typically offer two types of coverage and length for their vehicles: the bumper-to-bumper limited warranty and the powertrain limited warranty. Bumper-to-bumper warranties typically last between 3 years/36,000 miles and 5 years/60,000 miles, while powertrain warranties can extend up to 10 years/100,000 miles. The bumper-to-bumper warranty covers defects in materials or workmanship for many parts of the car, but excludes wear items like brakes and tires, as well as environmental damage like external rust or windshields. The powertrain warranty covers parts related to the engine, transmission and drivetrain, such as the axles, differential and transfer case. These warranties do not cover damage from misuse, accidents or normal wear and tear, and acts of God, like flooding from a natural disaster, are also not covered.

4. Powertrain warranty

A powertrain warranty is a type of auto warranty that covers the powertrain components of a vehicle, such as the engine, transmission, and drivetrain. This type of warranty usually lasts for five years or 60,000 miles and may also include coverage for gaskets, seals, and transfer cases. Powertrain warranties are generally inclusionary, meaning that it will list the components that are covered by the warranty. It typically does not cover damage caused by misuse, wear and tear parts, routine services, or damage covered by insurance.

5. Bumper-to-bumper warranty

A bumper-to-bumper warranty is a form of vehicle coverage that covers defects in materials or workmanship for many parts of the car, excluding wear items like brakes and tires, as well as environmental damage like external rust or windshields. It does not cover routine maintenance like oil changes or damage from lack of such maintenance. The average length of a bumper-to-bumper factory warranty is three years or 36,000 miles, whichever comes first, and may include additional perks like roadside assistance, rental car reimbursement, or towing, but only for the duration of the bumper-to-bumper warranty. It should be noted that the bumper-to-bumper warranty does not protect the front and rear bumpers themselves – just most things in between.

6. Emissions warranty

An emissions warranty is a type of warranty provided by vehicle manufacturers to cover repairs or replacements for emissions related components. The length of coverage varies depending on the manufacturer, but the average coverage period is usually around 3 years or 36,000 miles, whichever comes first. This warranty covers parts related to emission control, including the catalytic converter and ECU (engine control unit). In some cases, depending on the state, manufacturers may issue separate emissions warranties that provide longer protections, such as up to 8 years or 80,000 miles for the catalytic converter.

7. Coverage for engine drive components

The types of coverage and warranties offered for engine drive components typically include a powertrain warranty, bumper-to-bumper warranty, restraint system warranty, corrosion warranty, emissions warranty, hybrid component warranty, and electric vehicle component warranty.

A powertrain warranty covers the parts of your car that make it move, such as the engine, transmission, and transfer case. This type of warranty usually lasts for five years or up to 60,000 miles, whichever comes first.

A bumper-to-bumper warranty is also known as a new vehicle limited warranty or basic limited warranty, and covers almost all mechanical and electrical components in your vehicle, including high-tech systems, air conditioning, suspension, and engine.

A restraint system warranty covers any issues with your car’s restraint system, such as airbags and seatbelts.

A corrosion warranty covers any issues with rust and corrosion.

An emissions warranty covers any emissions issues.

A hybrid component warranty covers any issues with hybrid components.

An electric vehicle component warranty covers any issues with electric vehicle components.

8. Repair coverage

A vehicle manufacturer’s warranty typically covers repairs and replacements of factory-installed parts due to failures from factory defects or workmanship. The length of the warranty varies by manufacturer, but is typically 3 years or 36,000 miles, whichever comes first. These warranties do not cover routine maintenance, normal wear and tear items, damage caused by accidents or environmental factors, cosmetic parts, or damage caused by improper car care. It is possible to purchase an extended warranty to cover longer periods of time and more components.

9. Warranty claims

Step 1: Understand the Motor Industry Code of Practice for Vehicle Warranty Products. This covers key areas such as advertising, point of sale obligations, customer information, handling of claims, service contracts, and complaints handling.

Step 2: Make sure you meet the requirements of your warranty policy to avoid any claims being declined. This includes following the vehicle manufacturer’s recommended servicing schedule, fitting genuine manufacturer-approved parts during repairs, and not continuing to use your vehicle when there is a fault.

Step 3: Read the conditions and exclusions of the warranty policy. Not being aware of them could mean you invalidate your warranty and then not be able to make a claim.

Step 4: Check for any special terms such as consequential loss and betterment. In some cases, if a part that isn’t directly covered by the warranty fails and causes a fault in a part that is covered, the warranty will cover the repairs.

Step 5: Be aware that equipment or accessories not built or supplied by the vehicle manufacturer, or an affiliated company, will not be covered under warranty.

Step 6: Check for any other possible exclusions such as oil leaks, upgrades, and consequential loss.

Step 7: Ensure you understand the warranty provider’s claim procedure before taking out a car warranty.

10. Manufacturer warranty plans

Manufacturer warranties provide buyers with protection for defects and manufacturing faults for a limited period of time. Generally, coverage is broken down into different warranty plans, with different levels of coverage and lengths of protection. For instance, some manufacturer warranties may cover more parts for a longer amount of time than others. For example, some plans may cover parts and systems that break down due to design flaws or defective factory-installed parts for three years or 36,000 miles, while others may cover them for five years or 60,000 miles. Overall, it is important to understand the details of each plan when comparing warranties.

How to Take Advantage of Your Vehicle Manufacturer’s Warranty?

Step 1: Find out what your vehicle manufacturer’s warranty policy covers

Your vehicle manufacturer’s warranty covers several components of your vehicle. It includes basic powertrain coverage, which covers major components like the engine and transmission, as well as limited coverage for things like the emissions system, battery, brakes, and other components. To find out if your car is still covered by the manufacturer’s warranty, you need to look up your vehicle identification number (VIN). This can be found on the driver’s side of the windshield or the inside edge of the driver’s side door. When you call a dealership to check your warranty, they will look up this information in their database to see when your vehicle was first put in service. If you purchased a used car from an individual, you can browse CARFAX to see if your vehicle’s factory warranty is still valid. Knowing your warranty coverage can help you save time and money if something goes wrong with your car.

Step 2: Gather any documents required for the claim

If you are looking to make a vehicle manufacturer’s warranty claim, there are certain documents and steps you will need to take to ensure the claim is valid. Firstly, it is important to make sure you are following the vehicle manufacturer’s recommended servicing schedule and intervals, as well as fitting genuine, manufacturer-approved parts during repairs. Additionally, you must make sure to not modify the vehicle outside of the manufacturer’s standard specification, and not to use the incorrect fuel or fluids such as oil, coolant and brake fluid.

To begin the process of filing a warranty claim, you will need to have the following documents:

1. Your vehicle’s VIN (Vehicle Identification Number)
2. Proof of regular maintenance, such as service history records
3. A copy of the vehicle’s warranty agreement
4. Any photos or videos that demonstrate the cause of the problem
5. Any documents regarding repairs made to the vehicle

Once you have these documents, you should contact your vehicle’s manufacturer to determine the length of the manufacturer’s warranty and to obtain the warranty claim procedure. After this, you can fill out the claim form and submit it with the required documents. Finally, you will need to wait for the manufacturer’s decision regarding the claim, which should be provided within a reasonable amount of time.

Step 3: Make a copy of the proof of purchase for future reference

If you want to make a copy of the proof of purchase for future reference when taking advantage of your vehicle manufacturer’s warranty, here is a step-by-step guide:

1. Locate your vehicle identification number (VIN). The VIN is a 17-character series of letters and numbers that are unique to your vehicle. This can usually be found on a small tag located on the driver’s side of the dashboard, visible when looking through the windshield from outside. It can also be found on your vehicle registration, insurance card, and bill of sale.
2. Check your car’s mileage. Use the odometer to determine how many kilometres your car has been driven. This information is essential because most warranties have a mileage limitation.
3. Contact a dealership. If you don’t know the date of purchase of your car, call a local dealership that sells your car brand. Have the VIN and mileage handy, and they should be able to look up the purchase date. Additionally, if you are not the car’s first owner, make sure to ask whether the warranty was transferred to you when you bought the car.
4. Make a copy of the proof of purchase. Once you have received the proof of purchase, make a copy of it to keep for future reference when taking advantage of your vehicle manufacturer’s warranty.

Step 4: Start using the warranty right away

Step 1: Know your car’s warranty. Check your owner’s manual or online to find out the details of your warranty, including how long it lasts and what it covers.

Step 2: Follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Make sure that you are following the manufacturer’s instructions for your vehicle as this helps to keep the warranty valid. This includes getting regular services and repairs as recommended by the manufacturer and not making any modifications to the car.

Step 3: Be aware of warning signs. If you notice any warning lights come up on your dashboard, stop driving and contact your warranty provider.

Step 4: Get an approved garage. Your warranty provider should authorize repairs and instruct you to take your car to an approved garage. This will ensure that the costs of repairs are automatically covered with no extra costs to you.

Step 5: Pay upfront for repairs. In some cases, you may need to pay for the repairs upfront and then claim them back from the warranty provider.

Step 6: Understand the consumer rights act. Bear in mind that you have certain rights under the consumer rights act when buying a car from a dealer. If your car is faulty, you may be eligible for a full refund within 30 days, or a partial refund or repairs after this time.

Step 5: Contact the dealer for further assistance

If you need further assistance with your vehicle’s manufacturer’s warranty, contacting the dealership is the best option. To do so, you should first locate your vehicle identification number (VIN) — this can be found in your owner’s manual, vehicle registration or on the inside of the driver’s side door. Then, it is best to call a dealership for your manufacturer — for example, if you own a Ford truck, any Ford dealership should be able to help. Have your VIN number and mileage ready when you call. The dealership service representative can then look up any remaining warranty information for your vehicle using your VIN.

If you are unable to locate your VIN number or do not know your mileage, you may need to drive to the dealership to obtain the necessary information. Finally, your warranty coverage is only valid at an authorized brand dealership or service center, so be sure to bring your vehicle to them for diagnosis and repairs if needed.