7 Things That Can Affect The Car Warranty You Were Promised

Most individuals are aware that car accidents, even minor fender benders, can result in expensive bills for auto repairs and medical expenses, which can significantly increase the cost of car ownership. However, having a car might have a lot more expenses than that. Consider the upkeep of your vehicle. It can be expensive to maintain your car, whether it’s via mending faults, replacing broken parts, or other problems.

Fortunately, having a car warranty can lower the cost of your maintenance and repairs. Car warranties are essentially promised by the dealership that, as long as you adhere to the mileage and time restrictions, specific parts of your car will be fixed by the dealership. However, warranties can differ greatly, particularly in terms of what they provide. The advice provided here can help you understand the ins and outs of these vehicle ownership resources if you’re thinking about getting a car warranty.

Being familiar with auto warranties is a big advantage for car owners. That only means that it’s more crucial than ever to be aware of the things that can void your warranty. After all, every auto warranty is ultimately a contract between you and the supplier. Each warranty is unique in what you can and cannot do with it, just like other contracts, which is why it’s crucial that you understand yours and select a contract that will meet your demands.

Make sure you make notes both now and for later reference because it’s very possible that your vehicle warranty contract contains at least one of these clauses, if not all of them.

1. Using incorrect fluids

Because it affects so many automobile owners, if you look up items that can void your car’s warranty, you’ll always come across this one. It is rather typical for the terms of a car warranty, particularly one provided by the vehicle’s manufacturer, to require the use of the manual’s recommended oil.

By using the incorrect oil, you increase the likelihood that your engine may experience a wide range of problems. If you don’t know what to use, whether it’s too little or too much lubricant or the incorrect type of oil altogether, it’s an accident waiting to happen. It’s possible that you might ruin your entire engine if you make a mistake. They will argue, and nearly invariably you will be at fault.

2. Keeping inadequate records

Another very typical criterion for warranties that, if violated, will completely negate yours is the necessity of maintenance. You’ll almost always be required by contract to have routine maintenance performed on your car. It might be a half-service, a full-service once a year, or even a combination of the two. Whatever the issue is, you must take action right away; else, neglect will render your car’s guarantee fully void.

But it’s not enough to merely finish the necessary job; you also need to remember to support it. Having the appropriate paperwork is wise advice in general, but when it comes to fulfilling your obligations under a car warranty, being able to verify that the repair was completed can be very helpful.

3. Work Performed Outside of the Ts&Cs

There is one more important consideration that must be made in addition to the other standards we’ve just discussed when having work done on your car. When having work done, you should also be certain that you’re following the guidelines for service providers. That applies to anything and routine maintenance. Everything you could need, including repairs and servicing, might have to come from the same location. If you choose to ignore this and still try to use your warranty, you can find yourself in trouble if something goes wrong, even though it might cost you more money than it would shop somewhere else.

4. Putting Modifications in Place

The warranty on your car can be readily revoked by modifications, just as they can invalidate your insurance. Of course, what you can and cannot do depends on your specific car warranty contract, but in the majority of situations, there are a few pretty obvious no-go zones that will get you into trouble. However, that doesn’t imply you’re on your own.

Although modifications can often completely void your warranty, they may also simply partially do so. Your warranty will probably be void if you install a modification that has anything to do with the engine or powertrain and something goes wrong with that specific system, even if it is not the modification itself. Anything else, though, and you might still be protected. It truly all depends on the fine print; however, a few of the most typical adjustments that won’t void your warranty are as follows:

• Rims
• Wheels
• Exhausts
• Lights
• Brake

Just make sure they’re all legal; otherwise, you can find yourself in a lot more difficult situation for driving against the law. 

5. Insufficient upkeep

It’s also very uncommon for your warranty to be voided in this way if you don’t try to take care of your car. This broad category includes some of the most basic practices, such as maintaining fluid levels, washing the automobile as little as possible, performing all necessary maintenance, carrying out any necessary or challenging repairs, and driving the car frequently.

Failure to perform any of them demonstrates to a warranty provider that you don’t take care of the vehicle and increases the likelihood that you’ll require additional coverage under your warranty. These things are frequently the standard for properly maintaining your car in order to help prevent that. It’s not much of a request, and it ensures that your car will last longer.

6. Unsuitable Use

Another simple method by which many people are caught off guard involves their automobile warranty being voided through improper or unlawful use of their vehicle. If you need to make a claim under your warranty, things like overloading the maximum weight or load capacity, towing, racing, and even speeding all work against you.

Even though it may seem obvious, it’s really easy to overlook some of these small details after owning a car for a while. Verify that you have the right to operate your car before making any judgments about how to utilise it. You may end up saving a lot of money. 

7. Mileage

The last factor we’ll examine that has the potential to void your warranty is mileage. In essence, it’s the same as insurance. Many warranties provide supplemental mileage restrictions to reduce the price of your guarantee. Even the best-extended auto warranties on the market frequently have this issue.

It makes sense that the more miles you drive your automobile, the more probable it is that your car will need repairs—and the sooner the better. The laws of precautionary measures stack the deck against you, so always be mindful of your mileage and take care not to overdo it. Make sure to first talk to your warranty provider if you feel the need to.

Conclusion 

All in all, auto warranties come in all shapes and sizes to protect both you and your car. It makes perfect sense that the less expensive and more reasonable warranties available are set up to ensure that you not only receive the coverage you require but also come with technicalities that you need to be aware of as well, all in the name of keeping things affordable.

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The more expensive extended warranties, and typically the manufacturer’s warranties as well, nearly always have a wider range of coverage, but they may also be much stricter about the standards for well-done servicing. There might not be restrictions on things like mileage, but it’s very probable that you’ll have to use garages that the manufacturer has approved or accredited for any work you need to be done on your car.

Always make sure you understand the terms of the warranty you purchase. Warranties are there to assist you, but they are still first and foremost a contract.