An issue with your car can be frustrating, no matter how minor. However, if you can get the problem fixed quickly and efficiently by a high-quality repair shop, the whole experience can be a lot easier.

Depending on the shop and the issue with your used car, that won’t always be possible, and sometimes repairs can take a lot longer than you expect. This can leave you without transportation and can be incredibly stressful, especially if you rely on your vehicle for your day-to-day life. When this happens, it can be helpful to know what steps you can take and what recourse you have as a car owner.

When getting a vehicle repair done with your extended warranty (also known as a vehicle service contract), there is a reasonable amount of time that you can expect the shop or dealership to take. Once they get past that time and the repair starts getting dragged out, you should start the process of moving things along yourself.

Knowing what you can do if a car warranty repair is taking too long can help you get your vehicle fixed and back on the road without waiting longer than necessary.

Communicating Effectively with the Repair Shop

If you are going to have a successful transaction with a repair facility, it is important that you communicate with them effectively. Being professional and consistent can go a long way when trying to resolve an issue with a repair and communicating properly will help the whole process along.

Set Clear Expectations

When getting a car repair done, communication is key. Before you leave the keys with the service manager, be sure to let them know when you expect your car back and what your requirements are when it comes to the timeframe. This sets the expectation that they should at least have answers for you and have the repair process started by a certain time. This will also give them the opportunity to let you know if they are simply too busy to get the job done in the time allotted. If this is the case, you can take the car to a different shop, and no one’s time will be wasted.

Regular Follow-Ups

The repair shop taking care of your car should be communicative about where they are in the process and what is happening with your vehicle. If you don’t hear from them within a day or two after dropping the car off, be sure to follow up with them or your vehicle warranty provider. This will let the shop know that you are on top of things and that your expectations need to be met. Asking questions about what diagnostics they are doing and what parts need to be repaired is a great way to make sure the ball stays rolling.

Documenting Communication

Whenever you follow up with the shop, be sure to document the date, time, and what was discussed. If escalation is required, this will be incredibly valuable information that can help you get the results you need. Documentation shows that you have been involved with every step of the process and will help you win any disputes that might come to fruition if your car doesn’t get fixed in a timely manner.

Escalating the Issue with the Warranty Provider

If you are getting a repair done with your extended warranty, you have some excellent options for recourse when a repair is taking too long. Having an extended car warranty provider that has your best interest at heart can be incredibly reassuring and help you get things moving along. If you have to escalate the issue, your provider should be the first place you go.

Contacting the Warranty Provider

If you have been communicating with the repair shop and are still not getting the results you need, it might be time to escalate the situation. This is why having an extended warranty provider can be such a big help. Contact your provider and let them know that the repair claim you have started has not been resolved.

The provider will then find out whether or not the repair work has been approved, and if it has, they can contact the repair shop with their own claims team. When presenting your case to the provider, be sure to let them know what steps you have taken and all the relevant dates and times. This is where your documentation can come in handy and help you bring a strong case that can hopefully get resolved quickly.

Other Options

If the provider is not able to move the process along, you can suggest other options that will help you in the short term. Your extended warranty provider should be able to provide temporary help like rental car reimbursement, which can get you transportation while the issue is being worked out. Having this kind of protection can be a relief in a stressful time and is one of the most important reasons to have warranty coverage when the time comes to get a repair done on your vehicle.

Exploring Alternative Solutions

If you have done everything you can to get your car repaired and back behind the wheel but still aren’t having any luck with the repair shop, it may be time to start looking at some alternate solutions. There are ways to move on from the current situation and look elsewhere for answers if you aren’t getting them from the shop you are working with.

Seeking a Second Opinion

If it simply feels like the shop you brought your car to isn’t giving you the help you need, don’t be afraid to get a second opinion from another mechanic. Not only is this a great way to find out if the timeline is reasonable, but it will also help you see if your overall experience will be better somewhere else. It is important to remember that you are the customer, and you have a right to take your business to another shop if you aren’t getting the service and results that you need.

Temporary Fixes

Sometimes, there are temporary repairs that can be done while you wait for the permanent repair. If, for example, the shop is waiting for an OEM part and it is taking longer than expected, ask if they can use an aftermarket component temporarily if there is one more readily available. This way, you can at least use your car while the part is being ordered instead of paying for a rental car or using alternative transportation. While this won’t always be possible, it is worth exploring if the timeline has gotten too long.

Other Considerations

If you have taken your car to the shop over and over again for the same issue, it could be beyond a problem with the repair shop. Every state has a version of a lemon law, which is designed to protect you from faulty products that can’t be repaired in a reasonable amount of time for a reasonable amount of money. While each state has its own version of what a reasonable timeframe is, these consumer protection laws can help you get restitution if the problem ends up being an issue with the car itself rather than the mechanic working on it.

It’s a good idea to know what some common problems are with your specific make and model and to research lemon law cases or consumer rights in your state to find out if you can get compensation or a replacement for your motor vehicle when a repair becomes impossible.

FAQs: Addressing Common Concerns About Car Warranty Repairs

What should I do if the repair shop is not communicating with me?

If you have tried to communicate with a repair shop’s service department but have not had any luck, it is a good idea to escalate the issue and bring it up with your extended warranty provider. Since the provider will have most likely started the claims process at this point, they have the resources and the incentive to reach the shop by any means necessary. With a full customer service team on your side, you can get the answers you are looking for through your provider, which is why it is so important to have high-quality coverage that you can rely on.

How long should a warranty repair typically take?

What is considered a reasonable amount of time for a repair will change from situation to situation. For the most part, though, three weeks is a good number of days for the maximum time limit to wait for a repair to be done. In some instances, you may have to wait for things like part orders or specialized equipment.

As long as the repair shop communicates with you and lets you know where they are in the process, it is perfectly normal for repairs to take a little longer. If it is getting to the point where it is inconveniencing you, though, it is a good idea to try to work out an arrangement for alternative transportation or to see what other options you have.

How can Endurance Warranty help with long repair times?

When you have coverage with Endurance, you have a lot of different options for recourse if a repair ends up taking too long. Endurance’s award-winning customer service team is always there for you when an issue arises and will do everything possible to communicate with the repair shop and get the problem resolved. Plus, Endurance has provisions for timely repairs, which can help move things along if the process has started to slow down. Endurance plans also come with extra benefits like rental car reimbursement, so you don’t have to be stuck without transportation while waiting for your vehicle to be fixed.

The Role of Extended Warranties in Ensuring Timely Repairs

If your car repair is taking longer than it should, there are several different steps you can take to push things in the right direction. With a reliable extended warranty provider, you get the benefit of an entire team being on your side and trying to solve the issue so you can have one less thing on your plate. Endurance is the most trusted auto protection provider on the market, with a wide range of plans, excellent customer service, and top-notch benefits.

Endurance has plans for everything from older, high-mileage vehicles to top-of-the-line luxury cars. With customizable coverage, there is something for nearly every car and every driver. Plus, Endurance covers vehicles that other providers won’t, such as Canadian Gray Market cars, vehicles used for things like rideshare and delivery, and cars with a rebuilt or salvage title.

When you have an Endurance plan, you also get a large collection of standard benefits like 24/7 roadside assistance, towing, rental car coverage, and trip interruption protection. For a small activation fee, Endurance customers also get access to Elite Benefits, which include things like tire repairs, key fob replacement, and up to $1,000 in total loss coverage.*

If you want the best coverage and service for your vehicle, contact our team at (800) 253-8203 to request a FREE quote. You can also check out the online store for an instant price preview.

For more automotive resources, the Endurance blog has FAQs, warranty provider comparisons, mechanical breakdown insurance guides for California drivers, DIY maintenance tips and tricks, and much, much more.