Disclosure: This content was produced by an independent editorial party for the purposes of educating our customers, and is not influenced by the other business operations of CARCHEX.
Finding the best car warranty plan takes a lot of consideration. When buying a warranty for a new or used car, many drivers struggle with answering the most basic questions:
- What does a car warranty cover?
- Which company offers the best car warranty coverage?
- What should I look for in a warranty provider?
- How do I get the best deal?
If you’re in the market for auto warranty protection, we’ll help you find comprehensive coverage for your car. We’ll also reveal some of the best new and used car warranty companies before explaining why it’s worth considering a vehicle service contract from CARCHEX.
Best New Car Warranty Companies
When you buy a new or used vehicle from a dealership, you’ll likely get factory warranty coverage to help cover the risk of mechanical or workmanship errors. As car buyers select a vehicle, it’s worth considering the factory warranty coverage that comes with each vehicle. After all, there’s a lot of money on the line if your car doesn’t turn out to be as reliable as you thought.
The Top Car Manufacturer Warranties
Based on warranty terms and additional benefits, we’ve listed out the four best car warranties included with the purchase of a new vehicle.
1. Hyundai Warranty: Best Factory Warranty
The Hyundai powertrain warranty lasts for 10 years or 100,000 miles, and the bumper-to-bumper warranty lasts five years or 60,000 miles. These are some of the longest terms among car manufacturers. In addition, Hyundai’s anti-perforation warranty and roadside assistance program last for seven and five years, respectively.
Hyundai covers items that aren’t always protected by extended auto warranties, including:
- Audio systems: Three years or 36,000 miles
- Paint: Three years or 36,000 miles
- Battery: Up to three years and unlimited miles, or a lifetime warranty for hybrid batteries
- Air conditioner refrigerant charge: One year or unlimited miles
- Adjustments to the vehicle: One year or 12,000 miles
- Wear items: One year or 12,000 miles
This extensive coverage makes Hyundai a top choice for the best car warranty.
2. Lexus Warranty: Top Luxury Warranty
The Lexus warranty covers powertrain components for up to six years or 70,000 miles, far better than the luxury industry’s average plan of four years or 50,000 miles. This allows you to rely on your vehicle’s engine and major systems for longer, saving you money in the end. If you want to maintain your vehicle as it ages, turn to the Lexus extended warranty.
3. Kia Warranty: Longer Coverage Plans
The Kia manufacturer warranty provides much longer protection than many competitors. You’ll have bumper-to-bumper coverage for five years or 60,000 miles and powertrain coverage for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Additional limited warranties are available for service adjustments, paint, audio and entertainment, and other accessories.
Roadside assistance is also included for five years or 60,000 miles. In addition, your car will be protected from perforation and corrosion for five years or 100,000 miles. Beyond this coverage, you can pick up a Kia extended warranty to keep your car safe over time.
4. BMW Warranty: Top Warranty Benefits
Though the BMW factory warranty only covers powertrain and bumper-to-bumper components for four years or 50,000 miles, its rust-through warranty is the best car warranty in the category, at 12 years or unlimited miles. Once your new vehicle warranty runs out, it might be worth checking out BMW extended warranty coverage plans.
BMW also adds convenience to drivers by offering wheel alignment, wheel balancing, and wiper blade inserts. These perks are covered for the first 2,000 miles.
Manufacturer Warranties by Automaker
Here’s a comparison of 2024 factory warranties from other car companies:
Manufacturer Warranty | Bumper-to-Bumper Warranty | Powertrain Warranty | Corrosion Warranty | Roadside Assistance |
---|---|---|---|---|
Acura | 4 years/50,000 miles | 6 years/70,000 miles | 5 years/unlimited miles | 4 years/unlimited miles |
Audi | 4 years/50,000 miles | 4 years/50,000 miles | 12 years/unlimited miles | 4 years/unlimited miles |
BMW | 4 years/50,000 miles | 4 years/50,000 miles | 12 years/unlimited miles | 4 years/unlimited miles |
Buick | 3 years/36,000 miles | 5 years/60,000 miles | 6 years/100,000 miles | 5 years/60,000 miles |
Cadillac | 4 years/50,000 miles | 6 years/70,000 miles | 4 years/50,000 miles | 6 years/70,000 miles |
Chevrolet | 3 years/36,000 miles | 5 years/60,000 miles | 3 years/36,000 miles | 5 years/60,000 miles |
Chrysler | 3 years/36,000 miles | 5 years/60,000 miles | 3 years/unlimited miles | 5 years/60,000 miles |
Dodge | 3 years/36,000 miles | 5 years/60,000 miles | 3 years/unlimited miles | 5 years/60,000 miles |
Fiat | 4 years/50,000 miles | 4 years/50,000 miles | 3 years/unlimited miles | 4 years/unlimited miles |
Ford | 3 years/36,000 miles | 5 years/60,000 miles | 5 years/unlimited miles | 5 years/60,000 miles |
Genesis | 5 years/60,000 miles | 10 years/100,000 miles | 7 years/unlimited miles | 5 years/unlimited miles |
GMC | 3 years/36,000 miles | 5 years/60,000 miles | 3 years/36,000 miles | 5 years/60,000 miles |
Honda | 3 years/36,000 miles | 5 years/60,000 miles | 5 years/unlimited miles | 3 years/36,000 miles |
Infiniti | 4 years/60,000 miles | 6 years/70,000 miles | 7 years/unlimited miles | 4 years/unlimited miles |
Jaguar | 5 years/60,000 miles | 5 years/60,000 miles | 6 years/unlimited miles | 5 years/60,000 miles |
Jeep | 3 years/36,000 miles | 5 years/60,000 miles | 3 years/unlimited miles | 5 years/60,000 miles |
Kia | 5 years/60,000 miles | 10 years/100,000 miles | 5 years/100,000 miles | 5 years/60,000 miles |
Land Rover | 4 years/50,000 miles | 4 years/50,000 miles | 6 years/unlimited miles | 4 years/50,000 miles |
Lexus | 4 years/50,000 miles | 6 years/70,000 miles | 6 years/unlimited miles | 4 years/unlimited miles |
Lincoln | 4 years/50,000 miles | 6 years/70,000 miles | 5 years/unlimited miles | Lifetime coverage |
Mazda | 3 years/36,000 miles | 5 years/60,000 miles | 5 years/unlimited miles | 3 years/36,000 miles |
Mercedes-Benz | 4 years/50,000 miles | 4 years/50,000 miles | 4 years/50,000 miles | 4 years/50,000 miles |
Mini | 4 years/50,000 miles | 4 years/50,000 miles | 12 years/unlimited miles | 4 years/unlimited miles |
Mitsubishi | 5 years/60,000 miles | 10 years/100,000 miles | 7 years/100,000 miles | 5 years/unlimited miles |
Nissan | 3 years/36,000 miles | 5 years/60,000 miles | 5 years/unlimited miles | 3 years/36,000 miles |
Porsche | 4 years/50,000 miles | 4 years/50,000 miles | 12 years/unlimited miles | 4 years/50,000 miles |
Ram | 3 years/36,000 miles | 5 years/60,000 miles | 3 years/unlimited miles | 5 years/60,000 miles |
Subaru | 3 years/36,000 miles | 5 years/60,000 miles | 5 years/unlimited miles | 3 years/36,000 miles |
Tesla | 4 years/50,000 miles | 4 years/50,000 miles | Lifetime coverage | 4 years/50,000 miles |
Toyota | 3 years/36,000 miles | 5 years/60,000 miles | 5 years/unlimited miles | 2 years/unlimited miles |
Volkswagen | 4 years/50,000 miles | 4 years/50,000 miles | 7 years/100,000 miles | 3 years/36,000 miles |
Volvo | 4 years /50,000 miles | 4 years /50,000 miles | 12 years/unlimited miles | 4 years/unlimited miles |
Do You Need an Extended Car Warranty?
The coverage in a manufacturer’s warranty seems adequate—right?
- But what happens when the factory warranty expires?
- What if your repair costs aren’t covered by the warranty?
- Do you need to purchase a used car warranty or is your car safe?
You may have to pay for car repairs out of pocket if you don’t have one of the best vehicle service contracts offered by CARCHEX.
Did you know that 80% of cars on the road are in need of at least one repair? And while the majority of cars are in need of repairs, most drivers can’t afford to have their cars or SUVs fixed. In fact, 63% of Americans don’t have the money to pay for a $500 car repair. As you may know, repair costs add up fast in the auto shop, especially when parts and labor are added.
Whether big fixes or small, it’s neither smart nor safe to drive an unreliable vehicle. An extended car warranty can offer peace of mind and save you from having to choose between your safety and finances.
Extended Car Warranty Exclusions
There are still limitations from most vehicle service contracts. Repairs are not covered if the following are true:
- Your car’s damage is caused by regular wear and tear.
- You haven’t kept up with routine maintenance, leading to a part failure or total breakdown.
- You need repairs due to weather conditions or an accident and can’t use car insurance.
- You need frequently replaceable items such as new tires, brake pads, windshield wiper blades, or oil changes.
- You wish to receive vehicle repairs from an unauthorized dealer or shop.
In fact, most repairs and replacements are only covered if they’re caused by faulty factory materials or workmanship. Be sure to read your sample contract to find out what’s covered.
How To Find the Best Third-Party Car Warranty
Once your manufacturer’s warranty expires, your wallet is no longer protected from costly repair jobs. Most manufacturers offer an extended warranty to continue coverage for your vehicle’s most vulnerable parts, but these plans rarely come with the competitive prices and flexibility of a CARCHEX vehicle service contract.
As you’re shopping around, here’s what you should find out to purchase the best car warranty:
- What parts and systems are covered? More importantly, what’s not covered?
- How long am I covered, and what are the mileage limits?
- What’s the monthly payment, and is a down payment required?
- What’s the deductible?
- Where can the car be taken for service—only to the dealership or to any licensed auto shop that’s convenient?
- What is the plan’s cancellation policy? What about a money-back guarantee?
What Matters Most in a Warranty Company?
We performed a 2022 survey of 1,000 customers where we asked them what they considered most important in a vehicle warranty company. Below are the findings:
- Coverage plans: 52%
- Overall cost: 19%
- Customer service: 13%
- Transparency: 10%
- Industry standing: 5%
CARCHEX prioritizes all of these factors. We’re proud to offer five customizable plans, extremely competitive pricing, and strong reviews from customers, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), and leaders across the automotive industry.
Compare the Best Car Warranty Companies
When selecting a vehicle service contract, take plenty of time to find the best deal that fits your vehicle’s needs. There are plenty of providers available, but they don’t all offer equal levels of customer service and responsiveness.
First, check out online reviews and see how the best aftermarket warranty companies stack up against each other. CARCHEX holds an A+ rating from the BBB, countless positive customer reviews, and a transparent claims process.
What To Look For in a Third-Party Vehicle Service Contract
Note that several factors help to separate the best vehicle service contract providers from the pack. When weighing your warranty options, consider these attributes:
- Number of available plans: How many levels of coverage does a warranty provider offer? If there are only a handful, can they tailor them to a driver’s specific needs? Flexibility and coverage options matter, so the best car warranty companies offer both.
- BBB accreditation and rating: Does the BBB believe that the company is committed to its customers, serves them in good faith, and quickly resolves issues? BBB ratings are based on how many complaints a provider gets and information from the business, so it’s a great starting place when looking for a reliable company.
- BBB number of complaints: How many customers were unhappy with a particular car warranty company? You deserve to know about potential issues with a provider’s customer service or product coverage.
- Industry endorsements: Does the auto warranty company have partners? Are they trusted in the industry? This is a good sign of a strong and reputable provider.
- Years of experience: How long has a company been in business, and how experienced is it at providing warranties and coverage that match drivers’ needs?
CARCHEX vs. the Competition
The CARCHEX warranty has been around for much longer than most competitors, and customers are consistently pleased with CARCHEX vehicle protection plans. Below, we’ll compare the best car warranty companies on factors that matter to car owners:
CARCHEX | Endurance | Concord Auto Protect | Liberty Bell Auto Protect | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Years in Business | 25 | 18 | 11 | 14 |
BBB Accredited | Yes | No | No | No |
BBB Rating | A+ | A- | F | NR |
Customer Complaints | 100+ | 3,000+ | 300+ | 1+40 |
Insured Plans | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
Coverage Levels | 5 | 5 | 3 | 3 |
Deductible | $0–$200 | $0–$200 | $100 | $0–$100 |
Updated September 2024.
You can see that CARCHEX comes out ahead as the best vehicle service contract.
- We have over two decades of experience in the industry.
- We maintain a great reputation with the BBB, which gives us an A+ score and accreditation.
- We’re proud to hold industry endorsements from CARFAX, MotorWeek’s Pat Goss, Kelley Blue Book, Assurant, Edmunds.com, and RepairPal.
- You can get a free, instant quote online.
Benefits of CARCHEX Vehicle Service Contracts
Vehicle service contract coverage isn’t only about paying for expensive parts like your car’s alternator, air conditioning system, and transmission. Here are some other benefits to purchasing one of the best vehicle service contracts from CARCHEX:
- More coverage and greater savings: CARCHEX offers multiple high-quality, affordable plans to ensure that you get the best coverage for your car.
- Up your car’s resale value: If you decide to sell the car, having a CARCHEX vehicle service contract could significantly increase your car’s resale value.
- Satisfaction or your money back: CARCHEX offers a money-back guarantee for 30 days. If you aren’t satisfied with your plan or want to cancel, get a prorated refund.*
- Looking out for you in the shop: When you have a CARCHEX contract, you’re not alone. We provide full support for customers, so drivers can rest assured that they’re dealing with honest and fair mechanics.
- Extra coverage benefits: A car warranty covers more from CARCHEX. We’ll give you additional benefits such as fully transferable terms, free XM radio trials, and vehicle history reports. Along with that, expect free towing services, rental car options, and trip interruption coverage.
*Refund methods vary by state. See extended service plan for complete details, including refunds, exclusions, and limitations.
Tips for Buying Car Warranties
Best practice is to only get car warranty quotes from reputable providers. It’s far too common for customers to venture away from trusted leaders like CARCHEX due to prices or plans that seem too good to be true. We’ll show you how to stay safe as you purchase.
Watch Out for Scams
Finding the best vehicle service contract also means keeping your eye out for a scam. While many of the best companies have been vetted and are insured, there have been scams over the years. California has even stopped certain warranty providers from offering coverage in the state, though CARCHEX gained full approval.
The good news is that with today’s advances in readily available information, many low-quality warranty “companies” have been outed. You can research online or let a CARCHEX representative explain which companies are honest, knowledgeable, and fair.
Understand What Your Policy Covers
Each warranty tier grants a different level of vehicle protection. Make sure that the policy you choose covers your greatest concerns and even things you hadn’t thought about before. If you’re aware of what your warranty covers, you’ll be better prepared to take advantage. You also won’t waste money on covered repairs you shouldn’t be paying for.
Know What You’re Going To Pay
Once you settle on a plan, the next step is to decide if you’ll pay upfront or through monthly payments. Be sure to make note of the final extended auto warranty cost to avoid surprises in your budget.
Read the Fine Print
It sounds obvious, but this is a very important tip for shoppers. You need to clearly know what is and isn’t covered and for how long. Be sure that your plan mentions the following:
- Which repairs are covered and which aren’t
- Additional surcharges for special vehicle features
- The beginning and end date of your policy
- Which repair shops are approved
- A clear process to address service mishaps
- Whether the warranty is transferable to a new owner
- The start date of your policy
- A 30-day money-back guarantee for new customers
- The price and charges like deductibles
Get Better Bang for Your Buck
You won’t find much of a price difference between top-tier plans and a powertrain warranty. Consider getting a comprehensive warranty plan, as you’ll receive far more services for only a marginal price increase.
According to our 2022 warranty survey of 1,000 customers, most end up making this choice. A full 51% of those polled picked a bumper-to-bumper warranty over a cheaper but more limited mid-level or powertrain plan.
CARCHEX: The Best Vehicle Service Contract Provider
Now that you know your options for top vehicle service contracts, speak with the specialists at CARCHEX to find competitive prices and quality warranty options. While CARCHEX ranks as one of the industry’s best extended car warranty companies, we’ll help you search among other options if you’d prefer to shop around.
CARCHEX has affordable, pay-as-you-go plans that don’t skimp on coverage. You’ll gain access to a large network of repair facilities, as well as roadside assistance coverage in the case of a mechanical breakdown. If you’re not satisfied, you’ll get your money back.
Above all, we strive to inform customers about the best car warranties for both their vehicles and wallets. To get the best car warranty today, call CARCHEX at 866-261-3457.