When summer approaches, many drivers prepare for road trips and longer drives, but a reliable vehicle is essential before hitting the highway. If you own a used or high-mileage car, protecting it becomes even more important, as higher mileage can increase the likelihood of mechanical issues over time.

A high-mileage vehicle can still be dependable, but it may be more susceptible to wear-related repairs. Understanding what a high-mileage car warranty is, how it works, and when it makes sense can help you protect your vehicle, manage repair costs, and drive with confidence—no matter how many miles are on the odometer.

What Are “High-Mileage” Vehicles?

Cars have odometers that track the number of miles driven since they were manufactured, meaning the more miles are on the odometer, the more use it has gotten and the higher the chance of something potentially going wrong. Having a high-mileage vehicle certainly doesn’t make it less safe than a lower-mileage car, but it does mean you might need to take some extra precautions when you are out on the road.

Just because a vehicle has a lot of miles on the odometer, that doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s an older car. Sometimes, even newer vehicles can have high mileages if they have been used enough and driven long distances in a short amount of time. The reverse is also true. Some old vehicles have very few miles due to sitting in storage or getting very little use. The mileage will generally determine the vehicle’s shape and how likely it will be to need a little extra care when taking it out on the highway.

Common Issues with High-Mileage Vehicles

Whenever a vehicle starts to rack up the miles, it can also develop issues. These are usually due to consistent use over a long period. And like with any mechanical piece of equipment, a vehicle’s engine and its other components can only take so much wear and tear before parts start to fail. Knowing some of the most common issues with high-mileage vehicles can help you be prepared if they occur with your car.

If you own a high-mileage vehicle, be sure to keep an eye out for:

• Transmission Issues: A car’s transmission is an incredibly important component, like the engine. And just like the engine, after a couple of thousand miles, it may start to have problems, such as the car being unable to shift gears.
• A Bad Timing Belt: The timing belt in your engine is in charge of synchronizing your car’s camshaft and crankshaft, making it essential that it stays in good condition. After 100,000 miles, your timing belt can be at a much higher risk of breaking or slipping, resulting in your engine making various ticking/clicking sounds or misfiring.
• Water Pump Leaks: Your car’s water pump circulates coolant and keeps the entire cooling system working. After 90,000 miles, the water pump is at a greater risk of leaking, which can cause serious issues with the powertrain and even damage the engine’s inner workings.
• Oil Burning Much Faster: When dealing with a high-mileage vehicle, it will be much more likely to burn oil faster than a car with fewer miles, and can damage the gaskets and wear out the piston rings in the engine.
• Worn Brake Pads: Brake pads are designed to wear out as they get more and more use. If your vehicle has high mileage and the brake pads haven’t been changed in some time, your brakes will not be as effective as they need to be for the car to operate safely.

If you would like your high-mileage vehicle to stay in good shape, you will have to protect it from these common issues. Staying on top of car repairs and your vehicle’s maintenance schedule (which can be found in your owner’s manual) is the best way to keep any car running smoothly, and an extended car warranty can help.

What is a High-Mileage Car Warranty?

When you purchase a brand-new car right from a dealership or an automaker, you’ll most likely receive what is known as a manufacturer’s warranty or a factory warranty. You may even see this kind of coverage referred to as a bumper-to-bumper warranty or a new vehicle limited warranty while also potentially getting separate coverage in the form of a powertrain warranty, a drivetrain warranty, or both. But regardless of what kind(s) of coverage your automaker provides, a factory warranty covers you from expensive auto repair costs that stem from mechanical issues and other defects caused during the car’s manufacturing process.

Sometimes, you can extend your manufacturer’s warranty to protect your car after the original factory warranty is over, usually between 3 years/36,000 miles and 5 years/60,000 miles (whichever comes first). However, the issue with a high-mileage car is that some automakers may limit you to purchasing extended coverage from them only when your original warranty is active. Meaning if you own a high-mileage vehicle, you most likely will not be able to get an extended car warranty from the manufacturer.

When this happens, your only option for added protection will be to get a vehicle protection plan from a third-party provider, such as Endurance Warranty, CarShield, CARCHEX, Protect My Car (PMC), autopom!, Olive, and more. However, while acting just like an extended warranty you’d get from your automaker, plans from third-party providers are actually vehicle service contracts (VSC).

While a VSC can provide much of the same coverage (or more) as an extended warranty from your automaker, only they can truly “extend” that coverage. Still, most VSC and extended warranty providers can give you various levels of coverage for expensive repairs, though not all will offer coverage for high-mileage vehicles due to the higher probability of problems occurring, but not Endurance.

With Endurance’s Select Premier plan, cars with up to 150,000 miles can get the comprehensive coverage they’re looking for, regardless of when their original factory coverage expired. Other plans, like the Advantage plan, can even provide coverage for vehicles up to 20 years old with no mileage cutoffs, along with providing you up to $3,500 in maintenance services.

Better yet, each Endurance plan, including those designed for high-mileage vehicles, will also automatically come with 24/7 roadside assistance and towing, flexible payment plans, trip interruption coverage, and rental car reimbursement to help give you even more peace of mind while on the road. And as an Endurance customer, you can be certain that you can get any car repairs you need at any certified repair facility or ASE Certified mechanic of your choice. You can even access all your benefits (including calling for roadside assistance), check the status of your claims, and more, all through the Endurance Customer Portal, no matter where you are.

Protect Your High-Mileage Car with Endurance

High-mileage cars can be a great choice for those looking for a reliable used car without breaking the bank. But be cautious, as vehicles can become more susceptible to all kinds of issues the more miles they rack up. So if you want to be confident on the highway or driving around town, it is important to get the breakdown coverage your vehicle needs to help it keep running for even more miles to come.

When you have a vehicle protection plan from Endurance, you can protect your high-mileage vehicle and get all the perks (and then some) that come with having comprehensive coverage plans. And with plans for almost any car, regardless of whether they are a brand new, low-mileage vehicle or a 20-year-old car with over 200,000 miles, Endurance can help.

Endurance customers can also receive a year’s worth of Elite Benefits, which includes additional perks and savings, such as tire repairs or replacements, key fob replacements, and even $500 in collision discounts.

To find more details about any Endurance auto protection plan, you can request FREE quote. You can also speak directly with a representative to help you find the right plan for you, your vehicle, and your budget by calling (800) 253-8203. Our online store lets you see your price right away.

You can also visit the Endurance blog to find more articles on automotive topics like expert auto tips, make/model comparisons, extended warranty FAQs, and other informative and helpful topics.