Purchasing a car can be incredibly exciting, and with so many options available to you, it can also open up many new possibilities. Having a vehicle can help give you the freedom to go to wherever you’d like to go, without the worry of relying on public transportation, rideshare services or having to walk. If you know what to look for, you can find a vehicle that will serve you well for many years and get you where you need to go with minimal trouble. Even if you are in the market for a used car, that doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice quality and longevity with your purchase.

No matter what kind of car you are buying or how you’re shopping for it, there will be more to pay apart from just the sticker price. Regular maintenance, necessary repairs and even unexpected breakdowns should all be considered when purchasing any vehicle. This is especially for car owners who have purchased a used vehicle, which requires a little more rigorous maintenance and may end up needing more expensive repairs down the line.

By purchasing an extended car warranty, you can help you pay for some of the most expensive car repair costs needed to help keep your vehicle on the road.

What Is an Extended Car Warranty?

When you buy a brand new car from a dealership, chances are it will come with what is known as a factory warranty or manufacturer’s warranty. The automaker provides this warranty and is designed to ensure that you won’t be held responsible for any defects or repairs caused by improper workmanship or defective materials when manufacturing the vehicle.

Typically, a manufacturer’s warranty will be valid within a specific mileage limit or a set period of time, with most lasting between 3-years/36,000 miles or 5-years/60,000 miles. Some factory warranties can be valid for up to 10-years/100,000 miles, so be sure to check the fine print on your used vehicle to see if its manufacturer’s warranty may still cover it. This can be in the form of a powertrain warranty, a complete bumper-to-bumper warranty or both.

Regardless of the length of your car’s manufacturer’s warranty, it’s going to run out sooner rather than later. When this happens, you’d be left to cover the cost of any car repairs, breakdowns or issues you may experience unless you get extended warranty coverage.

However, while this type of coverage is often called an extended car warranty, it’s not technically a warranty by definition. Instead, these protection plans are what is known as a vehicle service contract (VSC). You can purchase these auto protection plans from your vehicle’s dealership/automaker or via a third party. With a VSC, you can get help protecting you and your vehicle from the cost of unexpected repairs and breakdowns, similar to your original warranty.

Unlike your original warranty, this extended coverage goes beyond the length of time or miles any manufacturer’s warranty may be valid for. VSCs can help protect your vehicle, especially if someone else previously owned it and the manufacturer’s warranty has long since run out. This can be very helpful because used vehicles have a much higher risk of breakdowns due to their age and mileage.

It’s also incredibly important to remember that any manufacturer’s warranty or extended warranty coverage you have will differ from your auto insurance, mechanical breakdown insurance (MBI) or gap coverage policies. This is vital to remember, as these auto protection policies are designed to help with covered repairs caused by accidents, theft or inclement weather.

What Kind of Warranty Coverage Should a Used Car Have?

If you have a used car, one of the best ways to protect it is to make sure you are performing regular maintenance. Staying on top of your vehicle’s recommended maintenance schedule will help ensure that minor problems don’t turn into bigger, more expensive ones down the line. Maintenance also helps you keep an eye on your vehicle’s condition and prepare for any significant expenses that could be inevitable even with proper upkeep. Unlike a manufacturer’s warranty, a VSC can provide maintenance coverage, which will help you stay on top of your used vehicle’s maintenance schedule and keep it running for longer. Finding a VSC with good maintenance coverage is one of the best things you can do for your used car and your wallet. One of the other crucial things to keep in mind with a used car is making sure it wears properly.

No matter how well you maintain any vehicle, it will wear down at some point. You can make sure that this wear and tear happens slowly by getting the best possible coverage option for your vehicle. By getting a VSC such as Advantage from Endurance, you can get up to $3,500 in regular maintenance services, including alignment becks and tire rotations. These services can help your tires maintain their integrity for longer, helping to keep you and your passengers safe while on the road any time of the year, especially at highway speeds and over long distances.

One of the downsides of owning an older used vehicle is that they are much more likely to experience serious issues the older they get. Vehicles that are 15 years old or older often need hoses and gaskets replaced due to deterioration from heat and stress. These fixes can be pricey since they usually require a lot of labor to get to the areas that need the repairs. Older cars will also likely experience issues with the drivetrain components, which can be very expensive to work on or replace. A VSC, such as those from Endurance, can help cover these components and can help keep them in good shape for much longer so you can continue driving your car without having to pay for incredibly pricey repairs.

Many VSCs will also include coverage for more than just your vehicle’s engine or transmission. Many plans, like those offered by us at Endurance, can also help cover other vital systems within your vehicle, such as your electrical or air conditioning systems. Endurance customers can also take their car, truck or SUV into any certified repair facility or to any ASE Certified technician for repairs.

What Are the Best Warranties for Used Vehicles?

If you own or are considering purchasing a used vehicle, it is best to get comprehensive coverage geared toward more high-mileage vehicles. This is because used vehicles are more likely to experience problems with the powertrain and moving parts like the axle and transmission compared to a brand new car or a late model year vehicle. These are also the most expensive components to replace or repair, so having a VSC or extended auto warranty geared towards high-mileage vehicles can help offset some costs when an issue arises once your original warranty expires.

With Endurance, you have the option to select from a variety of auto protection plans that can fit your needs and budget, including plans meant for older vehicles with high mileage. For example, the Select Premier plan covers many of the most vulnerable components of a high-mileage car, including the drive axle, electrical components, engine, transfer case and transmission. These lubricated, high-motion parts will often be the first things to go on a used vehicle due to their heavy use in its operation. But with an Endurance Select Premier plan, you can keep your used vehicle on the road, even if you experience issues with its most essential components.

Other plans, such as Advantage, feature extensive component protection and maintenance coverage which is essential for keeping any vehicle running for longer. With each Advantage plan, you can get up to $3,500 towards essential maintenance tasks, such as up to three oil and filter changes, tire rotations, alignment checks, engine diagnostic exams and state safety inspection services. You can also get access to several other special, one-time services like a battery replacement, a brake pad/shoe replacement and more, giving you even more extensive coverage and savings when it comes to maintaining your vehicle.

Protect Your Used Car with Endurance

No matter what kind of used car you are buying, an auto protection plan like the Endurance Select Premier plan can give you peace of mind when it comes to protecting a high-mileage or used vehicle from unexpected breakdowns. You can even save up to $3,500 when it comes to your used car’s essential maintenance needs with Advantage, including essential services such as tire rotations, up to three oil and filter changes, alignment checks, and more. Each Advantage package also comes with several other special, one-time services, including a front or rear wiper blade set replacement and battery replacement.

You will also receive access to one year of Elite Benefits, which is included with the purchase of any Endurance protection plan and a small activation fee. These benefits include extra perks and savings such as up to two tire repairs/replacements, key fob replacements, collision discounts and more.

For more information about how an Endurance protection plan can help you and your new or used vehicle, call us directly at (800) 253-8203 or request a free quote. You can also find more articles on topics like DIY maintenance tips, vehicle comparisons, road trip guides, expert auto advice, and more by browsing through our Learning Center.