How to Check Your Car’s Warranty

A car warranty is a contract with a manufacturer, dealer, or third-party warranty company to cover certain repairs or defects for a set length of time or mileage, whichever comes first.

Knowing a warranty status can help you avoid unexpected repair costs, make informed maintenance decisions, and even negotiate a better deal when buying or selling a vehicle.

If you’re unsure what’s covered or how long your warranty lasts, here are six ways to check.

6 ways to check the warranty on a car

Determining whether a car has a valid warranty — and what it covers — is usually a simple process. Here’s how you can get started.

Review warranty documents

Whether you’re purchasing a new vehicle or a used vehicle from a dealer, ask for warranty documents that outline the agreement terms, including what’s covered and excluded. You can refer to these documents later when you need to verify coverage.

If you purchased an extended warranty later on, you can check the documents you received from the car warranty company when you bought the coverage.

Check the owner’s manual or bill of sale

Refer to the owner’s manual to check the manufacturer’s warranty on a new vehicle. It should have details about what it does and doesn’t cover, and when coverage expires.

Alternatively, you can check the bill of sale, which should include any warranties provided by the seller. Take note that if you purchased a warranty from a third-party company, these options might not work.

Use the vehicle identification number (VIN)

The VIN alone won’t help you verify a warranty. But checking the manufacturer’s website, a dealership, or CARFAX, it’s a good place to start.

Depending on the vehicle, you can find the VIN on the driver’s side dashboard near the windshield, on the driver’s side door frame, or in your registration or insurance documents.

Check the manufacturer’s website

If you’re looking for information about a manufacturer’s warranty, most car makers provide warranty details directly on their websites.

Sometimes, you can simply enter the car’s VIN or make and model to get the information you need. In other cases, you may need to create an account to access warranty information.

Contact the dealership

If you purchased your car from a dealership, you can typically get details about the warranty’s status by calling the dealer directly. If you didn’t buy from a dealer, any authorized dealer for the car’s brand can help verify the warranty.

In both cases, the dealer may ask you for the VIN so they can look up the car warranty in their system.

Get a CARFAX report

Websites like CARFAX can provide a wealth of information about your vehicle for a fee, including its warranty status, service records, title information, accident and damage reports, and odometer readings, among other things.

That said, CARFAX may not be the most reliable option for warranty information since it only estimates your remaining coverage based on reported data. It won’t account for events that could decrease or even void your warranty coverage.

Reasons to check the warranty on a car

Checking your car’s warranty status is a good idea for several key reasons:

• 

  Avoid unexpected repair costs

  If your vehicle is still under warranty, covered repairs may cost you nothing out of pocket. Knowing what’s included can help you avoid surprise expenses.

• 

  Plan for future expenses

  Warranties come with time and mileage limits, so understanding when your warranty expires lets you budget for potential repair costs once you no longer have coverage.

• 

  Check for transferable coverage

  Some warranties can be transferred to new owners. Verifying remaining coverage can help you save money if you buy a used car.

• 

  Support a warranty claim

  Confirming your warranty details before heading to the dealership or authorized repair shop ensures you’re still within your coverage limits.

• 

  Negotiate better deals

  Knowing the warranty status can give you leverage when buying or selling a vehicle, especially if coverage is still active.

• 

  Prevent voiding the warranty

  Some actions, such as skipping recommended car maintenance, can void the terms of the warranty‘s coverage.^[1] Reviewing the terms helps you stay compliant.

Types of car warranties

Car manufacturers typically include several different warranty types when you purchase a new vehicle, each covering specific parts or systems. An extended warranty or vehicle service contract — whether from a dealer or a third party — may also offer similar types of coverage. These are the standard types of car warranties:

• Bumper-to-bumper warranty: Often called a comprehensive warranty, this covers most parts and systems in the vehicle, from the electrical components to the infotainment system. This type of warranty usually lasts for three years or 36,000 miles, whichever comes first.

• Powertrain warranty: This covers the engine, transmission, and drivetrain — in other words, the parts that keep the car moving. A powertrain warranty typically lasts longer than a bumper-to-bumper warranty, often up to five years or 60,000 to 100,000 miles.

• Corrosion/rust warranty: This type of warranty protects against rust-through on the vehicle’s body panels. Coverage periods vary, but this warranty often lasts five years or more.

• Emissions warranty: This federally mandated car warranty covers emissions-related parts, like the catalytic converter and engine control module.^[2] Coverage is typically up to eight years or 80,000 miles for certain components.

• Extended warranty: Car dealers or third-party companies commonly sell extended warranties, also known as vehicle service contracts. Coverage usually kicks in after the original manufacturer‘s warranty expires. Depending on the provider and coverage level, your coverage and cost can vary widely.

How to check the warranty on a car FAQs