How to Know if Your Car has a Factory Warranty

You can find out if your car has a factory warranty in a couple of ways. There are different types of warranties. Some warranties are bumper to bumper for "X" number of years or "X" number of miles, whichever comes first. There are also factory warranties that are based on the power train. This type of warranty will cover your engine, transmission and everything that gives power to your vehicle's engine. These warranties are also good for either a certain number of years or miles, whichever comes first. This article will explain how you can find out if your car has a factory warranty remaining on it.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Get your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). The easiest way to get your VIN is to look at your insurance card. If your insurance card is not handy, you can find the VIN by looking through your windshield on the driver side of the vehicle on your dashboard. The number will be close to the hood of the car. The third way to find your VIN is to open your driver-side door; the VIN number will be on the end of your door panel next to the the vehicle weight information.

2. Go to the Carfax website. You will have to pay for the service if you are researching in-depth information about your vehicle. Look for the in-service date, which is the date the car was originally sold and the clock started ticking on your factory warranty.

3. Call your car's dealership, and ask for a service technician or the service manager. Tell them you need to know if you still have a factory warranty on your vehicle. The service manager will ask for the VIN from your vehicle, and he will be able to tell you the in-service date and remaining warranty information.

4. If you are buying a used vehicle, find out from the dealership if the factory warranty is transferable. Most car companies let the factory warranty transfer, but some don't if the car is resold.

Tips & Warnings

• Never modify your vehicle if you want to keep your factory warranty. If you do any type of after-market modifications on your vehicle engine, exhaust, sunroof, stereo system, etc., your factory warranty is void.

[LouisLim]

on 5/13/2009 Nice Article