used car warranty

Do Used Cars Come with Warranties?

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When shopping for used cars, you might think that you have to forgo some type of warranty or protection for your purchase. But this isn’t necessarily true. Most used cars from a dealership come with a limited 30-day factory warranty, or you may have the option to purchase a used car warranty. You may even get a warranty if you buy your new-to-you car from a private seller! 

Let’s learn more about used car warranties, what they cover and how to know what your used car purchase will come with. 

Transferring a Warranty 

New cars typically come with manufacturer warranties that cover repair and replacement costs due to factory errors. They typically last for three years/36,000 miles and five years/60,000 miles, though powertrain warranties can last even longer. Your factory warranty length depends on the manufacturer, but you’ll likely have options to extend it. 

When a car sells before the warranty is up, there is an option to transfer the car warranty to the new owner. In other words, the warranty doesn’t just go away because someone new is driving the vehicle. To initiate the transfer, the current owner of the vehicle will have to contact the warranty company or dealership.

If you’re buying a used car from a private seller, be sure to ask them if the manufacturer warranty is still active. If it is, you can likely get this warranty transferred over to you, giving you more protection and peace of mind. 

Getting a Used Car Warranty 

If the vehicle you’re looking to purchase no longer has an active warranty, you do have another option. You can purchase an extended warranty. Extended warranties and vehicle service contracts are add-on products that provide warranty coverage that lasts longer than the original warranty. 

You have choices as to which warranty to buy depending on your budget and what you want covered. Some used car warranties are comprehensive and offer bumper-to-bumper coverage while others only cover specific vehicle systems. These types of warranties are backed by independent providers or automakers. 

Are Car Warranties Worth It? 

When you purchase a new car, you automatically get a warranty, so there’s no reason to question whether or not it’s worth it. But when you have to take out an extended warranty, you’ll have to ask yourself if this type of protection is worth paying for. 

When it comes to the long-term costs of your car, experts often say that extended warranties are a bad deal. Most people never touch them, and even if they do experience problems, it’s often cheaper to pay the repairs out of pocket. 

That being said, if you have the extra money to spend and you’re concerned about the condition of the vehicle, an extended warranty may be beneficial for you. It will make the repair process much easier, plus provide you with greater flexibility and peace of mind. 

Shop for Repossessed Cars Today 

Shop for new-to-you cars at RepoFinder! We have a free list of repossessed vehicles from lenders and credit unions all over the country! There are no commissions or fees, and most lenders are willing to negotiate to make the deal as attractive as possible.