Used car warranty what does it cover

The answer is that the level of cover will be limited if you rely on the protection provided automatically by the dealership. If you choose to pay, the cover will be the same, regardless of whether you arrange it over three months or three years. By law, the dealer must sell you a vehicle that is roadworthy and as advertised. The car will come with three months cover and will be free of charge.

It covers a limited number of faults, mainly to do with major components. It will not cover wear and tear and will also exclude most parts. If anything goes wrong with it, you should be able to get your money back. If the dealer refuses to comply, you can take them to court.

A used car warranty sold by the dealer will provide more in-depth protection. The type of policy offered by a dealer may be limited in the scope of what it covers, and it could be the case that it will be worth your while shopping around. Only when you have compared costs and levels of protection can you make a decision as to what is the better deal. If you bought the car from a private seller, you will not have the three-month protection, although the seller is breaking the law if it is not as described.

This is the riskiest way to buy a car. New cars typically come with manufacturer warranties. A number of states restrict what vehicles may be sold as is or have different rules around these types of sales. For instance, if a used car is selling above a certain price, an as-is sale might not be allowed — and some states require different disclosures on the Buyers Guide for an as-is sale. If the Buyers Guide from the dealership says your car is covered by a warranty but your contract says the sale is as-is, the dealer must honor the terms in the Buyers Guide.

The warranty should give specifics on the vehicle service contract and explain who is legally responsible for the repairs. Look over the fine print to get all the details and make sure all of your questions are answered before you buy your vehicle. But the dealer or manufacturer can require you to use certain repair facilities if the repairs will be free under the warranty. When you purchase a used vehicle, you may have the option to purchase a service contract, also known as an extended warranty.

This warranty covers most items on a car related to safety, reliability and roadworthiness. This type of extended warranty is usually worth having. Perhaps the warranty has expired in the interim.

What should you do? There are legal and contractual obligations that a dealership or a manufacturer must uphold — they are obliged to repair the car.

In the first instance, contact the dealership, the car manufacturer or importer requesting that any items covered by the warranty are fixed without cost. Cars and Driving Buying a car Car loans Resources. What is a car warranty? Apart from wear and tear, most manufacturers warranties cover all mechanical and electrical parts. If you purchase an extended warranty, there may be exclusions. Mechanical and electrical faults are covered by the warranty, and some packages have an extended period that covers rust.

The warranty will specify that the car has to be regularly serviced and maintained, otherwise the warranty could be void. Some manufacturers will also include a number of services as part of the new car warranty and could include breakdown cover.

The warranty may provide a courtesy or hire car when yours is being repaired. Items covered by comprehensive car insurance, such as windscreens and accident damage, will not be covered by a warranty. If a part fails because of negligence, then it may not be covered. Damage classed as cosmetic, such as scratches to the paintwork or scuffed wheels, will probably not be covered by the warranty. If you modify a new or used car, you could risk voiding the warranty.

For example, if you change the car suspension or alter the engine tuning, this could cause problems claiming under the warranty. Many used car dealers will provide a warranty for three months or more. Also, not all used car dealers will provide a warranty at all, and it is unusual for a private seller to offer one. In these cases, you have the option of purchasing an extended car warranty. Used car warranties provided by a motor dealer will usually be limited.

You have the option of purchasing a warranty from a provider, and this could cover you for more.