Disclosure: This content was produced by an independent editorial party for the purposes of educating our customers, and is not influenced by the other business operations of CARCHEX.
An extended car warranty is protection from the vehicle manufacturer against mechanical breakdowns. This term is sometimes incorrectly used to describe coverage from third-party providers, which offer similar protection plans called vehicle service contracts. CARCHEX is a vehicle service contract provider.
A manufacturer warranty is offered to car buyers as a promise that the seller will back its vehicles against design and workmanship defects. Auto dealers who sell these factory warranties are required to repair, replace, or reimburse customers for covered damages.
Whether you purchase a new or certified pre-owned (CPO) vehicle, your dealer should offer a warranty plan along with the purchase. However, your car will likely outlast that manufacturer warranty. Below, we go over what’s covered in a standard manufacturer warranty, why vehicle protection matters, and the importance of comparing quotes for both extended warranties and third-party vehicle service plans.
What Is a Manufacturer Warranty?
Manufacturer warranty plans typically cover parts and systems that break down due to design flaws or defective factory-installed parts. Most new and CPO vehicles come with a manufacturer warranty for a specified amount of time.
What Does a Manufacturer Warranty Cover?
Manufacturer warranties cover most parts of your vehicle for a limited period of time, though protection is broken down into different warranty plans. Here are some of the factory plans you may come across while car shopping:
Type of Warranty |
Manufacturer Warranty Details |
|---|---|
New vehicle limited warranty |
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Emissions warranty |
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Corrosion warranty |
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Lifetime limited parts warranty |
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Maintenance warranty |
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In contrast, used cars come with an implied warranty or a warranty of merchantability. This protection, which is required by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), simply acknowledges that a vehicle meets an acceptable quality standard and is in usable condition.
What's Not Covered by a Manufacturer Warranty?
A manufacturer warranty works by covering repair and replacement costs caused by factory and workmanship errors. There are exclusions for most other damages, so the following won’t be covered:
- Routine maintenance: You’ll have to cover oil changes and tire rotations.
- Normal wear-and-tear items: Brake pads and windshield wiper replacements are separate from nearly all manufacturer warranties.
- Damage caused by accidents or environmental factors: If your car is hit by another car or harmed by hail or wind, your insurance company should cover it.
- Cosmetic parts: Your manufacturer warranty won’t cover dings in windshield or paint chips.
- Damage caused by improper car care: If you avoid regular maintenance, the manufacturer won’t repair or replace damaged parts.
Vehicles aren’t meant to last forever, but they can last for a long time if given proper care. Along with performing routine maintenance, it’s good to consider an extended vehicle protection plan, which will protect used vehicles for a long period of time.
How Long Does a Manufacturer Warranty Last?
Manufacturer warranty lengths vary based on your car’s make, model, and year. Below is a comparison between automakers’ standard coverage lengths:
Manufacturer |
Bumper-to-Bumper |
Powertrain |
Corrosion |
Roadside |
|---|---|---|---|---|
4 years/ |
6 years/ |
5 years/ |
4 years/ |
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4 years/ |
4 years/ |
12 years/ |
4 years/ |
|
4 years/ |
4 years/ |
12 years/ |
4 years/ |
|
3 years/ |
5 years/ |
6 years/ |
5 years/ |
|
4 years/ |
6 years/ |
4 years/ |
6 years/ |
|
3 years/ |
5 years/ |
3 years/ |
5 years/ |
|
3 years/ |
5 years/ |
3 years/ |
5 years/ |
|
3 years/ |
5 years/ |
3 years/ |
5 years/ |
|
4 years/ |
4 years/ |
3 years/ |
4 years/ |
|
3 years/ |
5 years/ |
5 years/ |
5 years/ |
|
5 years/ |
10 years/ |
7 years/ |
5 years/ |
|
3 years/ |
5 years/ |
3 years/ |
5 years/ |
|
3 years/ |
5 years/ |
5 years/ |
3 years/ |
|
4 years/ |
6 years/ |
7 years/ |
4 years/ |
|
5 years/ |
5 years/ |
6 years/ |
5 years/ |
|
3 years/ |
5 years/ |
3 years/ |
5 years/ |
|
5 years/ |
10 years/ |
5 years/ |
5 years/ |
|
4 years/ |
4 years/ |
6 years/ |
4 years/ |
|
4 years/ |
6 years/ |
6 years/ |
4 years/ |
|
4 years/ |
6 years/ |
5 years/ |
Lifetime coverage |
|
3 years/ |
5 years/ |
5 years/ |
3 years/ |
|
4 years/ |
4 years/ |
4 years/ |
4 years/ |
|
4 years/ |
4 years/ |
12 years/ |
4 years/ |
|
5 years/ |
10 years/ |
7 years/ |
5 years/ |
|
3 years/ |
5 years/ |
5 years/ |
3 years/ |
|
4 years/ |
4 years/ |
12 years/ |
4 years/ |
|
3 years/ |
5 years/ |
3 years/ |
5 years/ |
|
3 years/ |
5 years/ |
5 years/ |
3 years/ |
|
4 years/ |
4 years/ |
12 years/ |
4 years/ |
|
3 years/ |
5 years/ |
5 years/ |
2 years/ |
|
4 years/ |
4 years/ |
7 years/ |
3 years/ |
|
4 years/ |
4 years/ |
12 years/ |
4 years/ |
When your factory warranty coverage expires, you’ll lose vehicle protection and could greatly benefit from an extended warranty or vehicle service plan. Buying a vehicle service plan from a third-party company like CARCHEX is typically more affordable than buying an extended warranty from a car dealership.
Manufacturer Warranty vs. Extended Warranty
Extended warranties provide coverage once your manufacturer warranty ends. This type of coverage is only available directly from a dealership or automaker, and typically must be purchased before the factory warranty ends.
As an alternative to an extended warranty, you can buy a vehicle service plan through third-party providers. The timing of when you can purchase these plans is more flexible, as are the coverage terms.
While third-party providers offer extended service contracts for older cars, it’s best to buy early. Expect to receive a lower-cost vehicle service plan if you buy one before your manufacturer warranty ends.
Is Extended Auto Coverage Worth It?
Unexpected car repairs and replacements are both costly and stressful. A car transmission, for instance, costs an average of $1,800 to $3,400 to replace, while a fuel pump costs between $1,000 and $1,300 on average. The price to replace a power steering pump ranges from $545 to $771.
Vehicle service protection plans can save you hundreds or even thousands on car costs. Mechanical breakdowns are inevitable no matter how well you take care of your vehicle, so adding extended coverage could help your peace of mind on the road.
Benefits of CARCHEX Vehicle Service Plans
With five tiers of vehicle protection, CARCHEX offers customizable aftermarket care. Drivers can purchase anything from powertrain coverage to a high-level exclusionary plan that can cover most vehicle parts and systems. Either way, you’ll enjoy the following CARCHEX benefits:
- 30-Day Money Back Guarantee: If you’re not satisfied with your plan or if you change your mind after purchasing, get full reimbursement for up to 30 days.
- Flexible repair facility options: Compared to a manufacturer warranty, a vehicle service plan from CARCHEX allows you to choose from over 30,000 certified repair shops.
- 24/7 emergency roadside assistance: Roadside assistance, rental car coverage, and towing reimbursement are included in all CARCHEX plans.
- Direct payments: Rather than waiting around for reimbursement, CARCHEX pays the repair shop directly.
- Affordable payment plans: With vehicle service plans from CARCHEX, you can pay upfront or choose a monthly payment option. Deductibles can be as low as $0 for qualified customers.
- Free quote tool: You don’t have to wait to determine the cost of a protection plan. Simply fill out our online form and get a quote on your vehicle today.
With a CARCHEX vehicle service plan, you’ll gain peace of mind while on the road. We’re proud of our strong customer reviews and A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB).