What will void a car warranty

The reality is that you will only face a full or partial void if the need for repairs can be directly linked back to a post manufacture modification, often termed as an 'aftermarket add-on'.

An example might be an engine problem caused by a poorly fitted exhaust upgrade, or an unsanctioned engine rebore resulting in unexpected damage. Modifications made with approved parts and carried out by an approved engineer will not void your warranty, although it's important that you contact your warranty provider to find out for sure what car modifications void your warranty. There are legal restrictions on how you can modify your car and, obviously, anything you do to your vehicle which is illegal will inevitably risk voiding your warranty, even if the reason for repair doesn't appear to be linked.

For example:. The following modifications are usually permitted and should not void your warranty, but only when you use approved parts and certified fitting:.

If this is the case, then as long as all the modifications are specified at the time of taking out the warranty, you are fully covered and your warranty can't be voided. If you plan to purchase a used car that has been modified and you want to take out a warranty, make sure that all details of the modifications are included in your documentation, either with your dealer or your directly with your warranty provider.

If you are planning any modifications to your car, you are strongly advised to check with your warranty provider before you go ahead. Get clear advice about which parts are authorised, and which engineers are certified to carry out the work. It's always best to check first to avoid problems further down the line should you need to make a claim. The overall message regarding modifications is that the most important thing is to check with your warranty provider.

By seeking authorisation and clearance prior to making any changes to your vehicle, you will know exactly what - if any - impact they will have on your cover. Yes, you can cancel your warranty at any point in the first 30 days and be guaranteed a full refund of the cost, providing you haven't already made a claim within this period.

If your manufacturer voids your warranty, you should consider third-party extended warranty coverage. If you decide to buy coverage, make sure you read your contract thoroughly, as a third-party contract can also be voided.

When you start shopping for coverage, make sure you look at reputable providers with good reviews, like Toco. Toco has three levels of coverage and allows you to service your vehicle at any repair shop. Toco reviews are very positive, and the provider also offers perks like roadside assistance and rental car benefits.

To see how much you would pay for coverage, visit TocoWarranty. Compare other top-rated providers by clicking below. If the exhaust causes damage or other mechanical issues to parts of your vehicle, then your warranty might be voided. However, some providers have strict policies around aftermarket products.

No, doing your own maintenance on your vehicle will not void your warranty. However, if the maintenance causes damage to a vehicle component that requires repairs, your warranty is not likely to cover it. Do I have to service my car at the dealer to keep the warranty valid? Some automakers are flexible with what repair facilities drivers use, but some require all maintenance and repair work to occur at specific service centers or facilities.

What happens if the dealership can't fix my car under warranty? You then have several options on how to proceed. You can appeal the denial, seek warranty coverage elsewhere, or pay for the repairs yourself. Mar 14, at am ET. The biggest hurdle for the dealerships service department here would be proving that an aftermarket exhaust really caused related damage somewhere else in the vehicle.

Is the exhaust worth possibly losing a significant part of your hard earned warranty? Adult baseball and softball players Some anyway have a little trick they do to get a new bat for free- They buy a bat with a standard day warranty, and just before that warranty runs out, they find a way to get it to crack. However, if your warranty is coming to an end and your car is still running fine, know that you need to take it in any way.

They can and must repair anything wrong even if you are unaware of the problem. Well, if God forbid something happens to you and it is the result of a defect or a repair they did not resolve and should have, they are in serious financial trouble. This is one of the easiest ways to void your warranty, as we discussed in some length above. A good rule of thumb is to set a reminder for the 3k mile oil change. Many newer cars already signal an alert that you are at that mark, but sometimes people know these newer cars can handle longer intervals so they reset it and ride on.

Anything you get done on the car should go directly into a file in your home. The first reason being to prove you had service done if there is a claim of neglect. The second to be to document what was done in case you went outside of the dealership for any additional work such as tires, oil, etc…. All that time you spend in the dealership? Use it to read over your warranty. Better yet, research each manufacturers warranty while deciding on a car.

The best way to be caught by surprise is to have never known in the first place! If you are still with me, I thank you! As always, I hope I have brought some level of assistance and knowledge to your car buying and in this case, car ownership journey, as it relates to voided vehicle warranties. As always- If you have any questions please feel free to leave them in the comments below or contact us using the general contact form on our home page.

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