Warranties

It's important to know that no two warranties are the same. This is because of the myriad of warranty providers and vehicles on the road. Regardless of the warranty source, always make sure you have a clear understanding of it before you purchase it, and always have it in writing.

The warranty document should have these details at a minimum:

- The parts and labor that are guaranteed - The total length of coverage (in miles and/or days) - Your deductible charge (if any)

If the used car is recent, it may still be under factory warranty. This is the best scenario of all. However, the vast majority of used cars are not; these cars are sold "as-is", or "with faults".

USED CAR / DEALER WARRANTIES
If you elect to purchase a warranty, the best time to do so (when at the dealership) is after you have agreed upon a price for the car. If you try to negotiate this before the price is set, then you will pay a higher price for the car.

"AS-IS" If you don't have a written warranty, the dealer is completely off the hook once you take ownership of the vehicle. That means you'll have to pay for all costs associated with any needed repairs.

Most private party sales are "as-is" sales.

IMPLIED WARRANTIES This is a general, unwritten agreement between a buyer and a seller, and typically occurring when you transact with dealerships. When you take ownership, it's often assumed (on good faith) that you have purchased a roadworthy vehicle, and that is should perform well for a reasonable amount of time.

However, the implied warranty can be disclaimed by the seller when you buy the vehicle "as-is."

> Seller's Motapedia