It happens all of the time. People bring their cars into the shop for repairs and ask the question, “Isn’t that covered by my auto warranty?” Many motorists make the assumption that an auto warranty covers repairs despite vehicle mileage, maintenance requirements, and environmental conditions.

An auto warranty is an agreement between the consumer and the car’s manufacturer. Being the consumer, you are held responsible for keeping up with specific maintenance requirements. The manufacturer is only obligated to cover repairs if you perform all of the necessary maintenance on your car.

As a result of questionable practices that dealers have performed in the past, car manufacturers make sure to very closely inspect every auto warranty claim. Consumers often see this as a way for them to avoid covering repair costs on their car when, in reality, the repairs may not actually be covered under the terms of the auto warranty. This could be a result of factors such as parts that are not covered by the warranty, vehicle abuse, or expiration.

Motorists need to be very cautious and completely read through their auto warranty. If you follow through on your side of the agreement, the manufacturer will follow through on theirs.