How to Check If My Car Is Under Warranty?
by Shanan Miller
Many vehicles come standard with at least a three-year, 36,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty, whichever comes first. Power-train warranties, which cover major components of the engine and transmission, are also common. Some manufacturers offer even more, such as a rust or seat belt warranty. If you did not purchase your car new, you must find out when the vehicle was purchased and how many miles it had on it, as this is when the warranty began. Learn how to find out if your car is under warranty.
Step 1
Get your vehicle identification number (VIN). You can find it on an insurance card or on your vehicle's title. Also have your vehicle's correct mileage handy.
Step 2
Call a same-make dealership. If you know where the vehicle was purchased, call there, as staff can look up the vehicle's purchase date in any department (sales or service). If you do not know where a dealer is, you can use the manufacturer's website to access the "locate a dealer" option.
Step 3
Ask to speak to the service department at the dealership. Tell the service representative that you want to find out if your vehicle is still under warranty. He should let you know when the vehicle was purchased and if any warranty still exists based on your current mileage.
Tips
- You can also run a vehicle history report to determine when the vehicle was bought. The report is not free but can prove helpful.
Warnings
- Don't go just by your owner's manual to determine if your car is still under warranty. Some vehicles can be purchased up to a year before the actual vehicle's model year.
Writer Bio
Shanan Miller covers automotive and insurance topics for various websites, blogs and dealerships. She has extensive automotive experience, including auction, insurance, finance, service and management positions. Miller has worked for dealer sales events around the United States and now stays local as a sales and leasing consultant for a dealership.
