When it comes to shopping for a new or used vehicle, one of the most important pieces of the puzzle is figuring out what kind of warranty is included. While there are a variety of warranties available — each covering a different part of the vehicle — knowing the ins and outs of all vehicle warranties is no easy task. Don’t stress, this comprehensive guide will teach you everything you need to know about vehicle warranties — so give it a read before you head out to your nearest Champion Auto Group location.

What is a Warranty?

According to Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary, a warranty is defined as “a usually written guarantee of the integrity of a product and of the maker’s responsibility for the repair or replacement of defective parts.” In the car world, this mean’s that the manufacturer, or in some cases, the dealership, will cover the repair of your vehicle if parts under warranty, fail.

Each and every warranty has a different set of items it covers, so it is important for you to know what warranties come with your vehicle — and what exactly they cover. There are warranties that cover parts of the vehicle like the engine and transmission, as well as warranties that protect you in the event of corrosion or defective paint. If you’re feeling a bit overwhelmed by warranties, don’t worry, our definitive guide to all things warranties will help you to understand the ins and outs of the vehicle warranty game.

Types of Warranties

As we mentioned before, there are a variety of warranties that come on both new and used vehicles — so here is a list of each available warranty and what they cover. Keep in mind that not every warranty listed is applicable to every vehicle out there, so make sure to check the window sticker of the vehicle for information on warranties included.

Bumper to Bumper

One of the most common warranties found on vehicles both new and used is the “bumper to bumper” warranty. Known professionally as exclusionary protection, these warranties have a list of components and conditions it doesn’t cover, with everything else being covered by default. You will commonly hear them called “bumper to bumper” as these warranties tend to cover most major components on your vehicle.

Wondering what is covered by this warranty? Here is a list of what is typically covered by the average bumper to bumper warranty:

• Engine
• Transmission
• Drive Axle
• Steering
• Suspension
• Braking
• Air Conditioning
• Electronics

As you can see, bumper-to-bumper warranties do indeed cover many of the major systems in your vehicle, but let’s take a closer look at what isn’t covered.

• Maintenance-related items (brake pads/rotors, spark plugs, oil changes)
• Consumables (tires, batteries, light bulbs)
• Cosmetics (paint, glass, dents, fabric/upholstery)
• Safety-Restraint Equipment (seat belts, airbags)
• Altered or modified parts
• Aftermarket parts
• Weather, fire or flood damage
• Damage from accidents or collisions
• Breakdowns due to lack of maintenance

While each individual warranty will vary, this list of what is and isn’t covered by a bumper-to-bumper warranty is typically what you will find on most warranties. The best way to find out exactly what your bumper-to-bumper warranty will cover is to ask for any manufacturer or dealership-supplied literature.

Powertrain

Another common warranty, powertrain coverage means your vehicle’s engine, transmission and drive axles will be guaranteed for up to a certain mileage or period of time. On new vehicles, a powertrain warranty will typically be included and cover the vehicle for a set period of time and mileage amounts, such as 36-months/36,000 miles or 60-month/60,000 miles. Powertrain warranties arent’ typically included with used vehicles, however, some dealerships do include a complementary warranty, like Champion’s Checkered Flag Lifetime Warranty.

If you are buying a used car, truck or SUV that doesn’t come with a powertrain warranty, it’s probably a good idea to inquire about third-party warranties or extended service contracts. Most places you can buy a used car will offer some type of extended powertrain warranty — for a fee — so make sure you ask what is available and get a quote on the cost. The peace of mind provided by a powertrain warranty is well worth the money you’ll spend.

Rust & Corrosion

When you buy a car, you’re not just buying the engine and transmission — so why should that be the only thing covered by a warranty? If you take a look at the window sticker on most new vehicles, you will most likely notice that a rust or anti-corrosion warranty is included and it tends to last pretty long. With this warranty, you’ll be protected from any rust or corrosion that occurs, with the manufacturer covering the cost of repairs.

Rust and corrosion protection can be absolutely invaluable if you live in a state that gets a lot of snow, as ice-melting agents are known to speed up the corrosion process. If you’re still worried about rust and corrosion despite having a warranty, you may want to consider a paint protection film or even an extended rust and corrosion warranty. All you need to do is ask your sales professional for more details!

Emissions

To help reduce the impact vehicles have on our environment, all new vehicles sold in the United States must comply with strict emissions laws and be fitted with emission-regulating devices. These devices are designed to function for quite a long time, but in the event they don’t, manufacturers typically include an emissions warranty that guarantees these parts. Emission warranties can be complicated, so it’s best to refer to your specific manufacturer’s literature regarding these warranties.

Who Provides Warranties

When it comes to warranties, it all varies depending on the brand vehicle you bought, where you bought it and whether it was purchased new or used. If you purchase a vehicle new, you’ll be covered by a slew of new warranties for the next few years. Now say you purchase a used  vehicle, that car, truck or SUV may not come with a warranty, or it could be a short one provided by the dealership you purchased it from. Knowing what kind of warranty is included with your vehicle is important, so make sure you find out before signing on the dotted line.

Auto Manufacturers

Almost every new vehicle sold in the United States will come with some type of new car warranty. Most new vehicles will come with a set of warranties, such as a Powertrain warranty, Rust and Corrosion warranty and even a Bumper to Bumper warranty. The length of these warranties will vary depending on the manufacturer, with the typical warranty lasting for 36-months/36,000-miles, whichever comes first.

Most manufacturer warranties are even transferable, which helps to up the resale value of your vehicle when you’re ready to move on from it. Some manufacturers even offer a special kind of warranty for lightly-used vehicles, vehicles with this warranty are known as certified pre-owned and present a great value for their cost. A certified pre-owned vehicle is backed by a manufacturer warranty similar to what the vehicle had when it was new, making this a great option if you want to save cash while having peace of mind.

Third-Party Companies

There are plenty of third-party companies that offer warranties for both new and used vehicles, these are typically known as extended service contracts. In some events, you may find that these extended warranties cover just as much, if not more than the manufacturer warranty, and sometimes for longer too. Third-party companies offer powertrain, bumper to bumper and corrosion warranties just like the manufacturer — so you can have peace of mind.

A great benefit of third-party warranties is that you can purchase one for your vehicle on your own, meaning you can add it on once your manufacturer warranty expires. While we don’t recommend any specific company, we do always recommend looking into third-party warranties when one from the manufacturer is not available.

Car Dealerships

If you’re purchasing your car from a dealership, chances are you will be presented with the option for extended warranties and service contracts. Some dealerships, like Champion Auto Group, may even include their own warranty that is backed by a third party for some of their used or “certified” vehicles. These warranties function very similarly to manufacturer warranties, as they may cover powertrain, bumper to bumper, corrosion or even all three — it all varies from dealership to dealership.

At Champion Auto Group, many of our used cars, trucks and SUVs qualify for our Champion Checkered Flag Lifetime Warranty — a complimentary warranty we provide to our customers so they have confidence in the used vehicle they’re driving off our lot. If you want more information on our Checkered Flag Lifetime Warranty, visit our website or one of our many Champion Auto Group locations throughout the state of Michigan.

How Long Do Warranties Last?

The length of vehicle warranties varies from manufacturer to manufacturer, and also varies depending on what is covered. One of the most common lengths of warranties is the 36-month/36,000-mile warranty, typically found in new car powertrain and bumper-to-bumper warranties. However, some manufacturers or dealerships may supply longer warranties, such as a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty.

The best way to find out the lengths and limits of your warranty is to check the window sticker or do a simple search on your brand vehicle’s warranties. If you can’t find any information, feel free to call the dealership you bought it from and ask what your warranty on record is. Own a used vehicle that isn’t backed by a manufacturer warranty? That’s okay, you can find out what kind of warranty you have left by referring to your paperwork from the time of sale.

Each warranty varies in length and coverage, so make sure you are up-to-date on what is and isn’t covered by your vehicle’s warranty at all times.

Now You Know

Now that you’re an expert on all things related to car warranties, it’s time for you to hit your nearest Champion Auto Group location to search for your next car, truck or SUV. Whether you’re shopping for a new vehicle with a fresh set of warranties or opting for a used vehicle with our complimentary Champion Checkered Flag Lifetime Warranty — peace of mind comes with every purchase at Champion Auto Group.

Hey Michigan! No matter where you are in this beautiful state, if you’re looking for a new or used vehicle, there is only one dealership group to shop with — Champion Auto Group! From Howell to Ypsilanti and everywhere in between, we have locations all over Michigan, including one near you! If you want to choose from Michigan’s best selection of new and used vehicles at the lowest prices, you need to stop by your nearest Champion Auto Group location today.