Is a car warranty transferable?
A warranty offers valuable protection against damage to vehicle parts. Normally, this will cover the cost of replacing major parts, including the engine, electrics, gearbox and suspension. It will also pay for other components that may break or suffer damage.
Manufacturers will typically provide protection for up to three years on a new vehicle. When that runs out, it’s possible to take out extended cover, whether you’ve owned the car from new or you’ve bought it from another owner.
There are various reasons why you may change your car. If you’re in this position, one question you’ll probably want answered will be ‘is car warranty transferable?’ You may be selling a car that has a warranty in place, or you may be looking to buy a vehicle that has cover arranged by its current owner. Either way, the warranty will normally transfer with the car, so the buyer will gain the benefit of having the warranty for the rest of its term.
Types of warranty
There are three types of cover. The first is a manufacturer's warranty, which comes when you buy a new car. It’s effectively a parts guarantee from the manufacturer and typically lasts three years, although in some cases it could be as much as seven years.
A used car warranty is a similar form of cover but is offered by a dealership that sells you a used car. This is a convenient way to arrange this form of protection but is often not the cheapest way to do it.
An aftermarket warranty allows you to take out cover on a car you already own. That may be because the existing cover has run out, or because you’ve bought a used car and want to have extra protection. There may be restrictions on the level of cover you can buy, depending on the age and mileage of the vehicle.
Transferring the warranty
If you’re looking to buy a car that has a warranty in place, you’ll want to know how long it has left to run, as well as the level of cover.
If you’re planning to sell your vehicle, it will help that you’re able to advertise it with the warranty as an added extra. That can attract more potential buyers and may also result in selling the car for a better price.
Most warranties are attached to the car and will be valid regardless of how many times it has been sold. If you’re buying a used car and want to know how long the warranty has to run, a telephone call to the dealership will give the information you need.
However, there are some exceptions. Certain makes and models of vehicles can be transferred but the terms may differ for the new owner. In these cases, the cover can be transferred, but will be reduced for the new owner.
An alternative
If having a warranty is important to you, but the protection that comes with the vehicle you’re buying isn’t what you want, there’s an alternative solution.
It’s possible to make your own arrangements, either with the dealership that is selling you the car, or by shopping around for the best deal. If you’re doing a private deal, you’ll need to make your own arrangements.
That may be the best option in any case, as shopping around is likely to produce a lower price than buying from the dealership. You can find the best deal and the most appropriate level of cover by contacting insurance companies that offer car warranties, or you may find it easier to use an insurance broker or price comparison website to do the shopping around for you.
