When you buy a car from Motor Inn of Spirit Lake, you want to get the most value out of your purchase. One way that you can make that happen is by purchasing a new or CPO vehicle that comes with a warranty. If you aren’t sure what the benefits of having a car warranty are or what a car warranty covers, here’s a simple explanation.
What is a car warranty?
A car warranty is a plan or contract guaranteeing that the product you’re purchasing meets a certain standard of quality — and if it doesn’t, the entity offering the warranty will make amends.
Car warranties are offered by the automotive manufacturer or a third party involved in the transaction. If certain car parts break within a certain timeframe after the vehicle’s production — or the time of your transaction — the qualifying parts will be fixed or replaced.
Is a car warranty the same as car insurance?
It might sound like a car warranty is similar to car insurance, but both types of plans are designed for very different situations and cover your vehicle in different ways.
A warranty is a guarantee of the quality and proper functioning of components within the vehicle or that compose it. Car insurance is coverage that — while required by law — you have to pay for. Depending on the policy you choose, this financial plan will help pay to fix or replace your car if it’s damaged in a collision, an act of nature, etc.
In other words, a warranty assures the proper, inherent operation of the vehicle; car insurance will help reconstruct your vehicle if it’s damaged by certain outside forces.
What isn’t covered in a car warranty?
Vehicle warranties cover a predetermined list of components that vary based on the type of warranty and who offers it. Typically, these will be the parts fundamental to the operation of the vehicle and certain features within the vehicle, like the digital and driving assistance systems.
Warranties will not pay for the replacement of components that will inevitably break down from normal usage of the car — in other words, parts affected by normal wear and tear. This means the tires, brakes, filters, bulbs, seat upholstery, and other such items are excluded.
Does a car warranty cost me money?
New and certified pre-owned vehicles from Motor Inn of Spirit Lake typically come with a handful of warranties that are provided by the automobile manufacturer, such as a powertrain warranty. Such warranties do not cost extra and are included in the purchase price of your vehicle.
If you want to extend warranty coverage past the manufacturer’s original term length or have warranty coverage on components that are not covered by the standard warranty parameters (such as the wheels), you can pay for those additions through a third-party company.
Which car warranties are offered at Motor Inn of Spirit Lake?
The warranties that come with the vehicle you purchase from Motor Inn of Spirit Lake will depend on the brand and age of the vehicle. Some of the most common are
• Bumper-to-bumper warranty: Also called the comprehensive or limited warranty, this covers most of the vehicle’s components, excluding those subject to normal wear and tear.
• Powertrain warranty: This covers the central operating system of the vehicle, which consists of the engine, transmission, driveshaft, and axles.
• CPO warranty: If you purchase a certified pre-owned car that doesn’t transfer the original warranties to you as the new owner, a CPO warranty will provide some coverage within the first year or so of your ownership period.
It’s important that you don’t void your vehicle warranty. To ensure you remain qualified for the repairs that a warranty offers, make sure you keep up with essential car maintenance like oil changes. Schedule a service appointment right away at Motor Inn of Spirit Lake, and we’ll make sure your car gets the treatment it needs.
Motor Inn of Spirit Lake Answers Your Questions About Car Warranties