How to Check Warranty on a Car

Whether you bought your car new or used, you can use the following steps to determine what warranty coverage applies based on your car’s VIN. 

1. Locate the VIN

You can find the VIN in several places, including near the bottom of the driver’s side windshield, the driver’s side door jamb, under the hood, or even in the owner’s manual. Once you’ve located the VIN, copy it down for quick reference. Double-check you’ve written it down correctly before you move forward. 

2. Check mileage

Write down the mileage next to the VIN to reference it quickly as you review any existing warranties. You can typically find the mileage on the odometer in the gauge cluster somewhere, whether displayed whenever the car is on or buried in a menu. Besides age, mileage is a determining factor in figuring out if your vehicle warranty still applies. 

3. Review your purchase paperwork

If you purchased your car from a dealership, you likely received a folder full of paperwork. Somewhere in those files should be details concerning any auto warranty coverage, including factory and extended. Review these files to determine if you have a record of any warranties. 

4. Contact the dealership or lender

Contact the dealership or lender if you can’t find anything in your purchase file. They can typically search their records to figure out if any manufacturer’s warranties exist. You’ll typically need your VIN and may be asked to submit personal information as well. 

5. Use a VIN decoder website

Several VIN decoder websites may give you insight into active car warranties. These include AutoCheck by Experian, the National Insurance Crime Bureau website, carVertical, EpicVIN, and CARFAX. You can also contact third-party warranty providers to research existing warranties and purchase additional coverage if you’d like. 

If you’re having trouble finding warranty information based on your car’s VIN, visit the manufacturer’s website to contact customer support. You can also check your owner’s manual to see what coverage may be listed there. If you purchased the car from a private party, you can also ask the seller about any warranty coverage. 

One of the larger questions at stake when considering whether you should buy a new or used car is what warranties exist on a particular vehicle that may still be in effect. Factory warranties come directly from the manufacturer and fold into the price of the car. Extended car warranties can be purchased a la carte (as service contracts) at an additional fee when you buy the vehicle or afterward. 

Most new cars come with three-year, 36,000-mile limited factory warranties that cover primary components and may be considered a basic or powertrain warranty. However, extended warranties such as GAP and tire protection may offer additional support. Additional car warranty types include: 

• Bumper-to-bumper (comprehensive): This limited warranty offers robust coverage but doesn’t last long. Nearly every vehicle component (as the name suggests) is covered under this factory warranty. 
• Powertrain: The powertrain warranty picks up where the comprehensive left off. It covers the engine, transmission, differential, axles, and other components. 
• Emissions: Auto manufacturers must guarantee the integrity of a vehicle’s emission control system for the first two years or 24,000 miles. 
• Electric or hybrid battery replacement: Federal law mandates that electric car manufacturers offer a warranty on hybrid and electric batteries to offset repair or replacement. Most offer coverage for eight to 10 years and 100,000 miles. 
• Tire: This type of extended warranty covers the repair or replacement of your tires due to common road hazards. 
• Corrosion and perforation: This factory warranty covers rust or corrosion within a specific timeframe.

Basic wear and tear, oil changes, and routine maintenance on a car aren’t typically covered under warranty. Damage due to an accident, alteration, or improper vehicle care doesn’t qualify as being covered under warranty either. 

Common warranty terms

Below are some of the most common car warranty terms you’ll come across: 

• Administrator: This company authorizes and covers repair work done to your car at an approved facility. 
• Deductible: Warranties typically come with a deductible determining the limit of your financial responsibility for a covered repair. 
• Exclusionary policy: This warranty policy offers comprehensive coverage for items not named, meaning unless the policy lists it exclusively as a non-covered part, it’s covered. The opposite of an exclusionary policy is an inclusionary policy, where only the parts listed are covered under repairs. 
• In-service date: This date represents when the car was purchased by the original owner and driven, whether as a rental, demonstration car, or otherwise. 
• Rental benefit: When your car is in the shop under a covered claim, your warranty may include a rental benefit that pays for a rental car until your car is roadworthy. 
• Transferability: Most car warranties transfer from the seller to the buyer but may require giving the automaker or third-party administrator notice within a specific timeframe, such as 30 days after the car’s exchanged hands. Some warranties do not transfer.

One of the tricks car salesmen use is throwing around terms you may not be familiar with. The next time you shop for a car warranty, you’ll not only know the terms above but be able to apply them to your benefit.