Some major auto trade groups have taken the California Air Resources Board to court over a new regulation that would extend some warranties on vehicle emissions equipment.  They claim it will cost members billions of dollars.

The lawsuit, which was filed a week ago in California’s Superior Court, represents the aftermarket auto parts/service industry. Questioned is the rule recently approved that would extend the manufacturer’s warranties on emissions equipment to 10 years or 120,000 miles on new cars.

They claim that the regulation was designed to pressure automobile manufacturers into improving the quality of parts like catalytic converters & oxygen sensor.  This will only turn over a large share of California’s annual service budget to dealer-owned shops. Some drivers have a longer warranty and argue that it will be more likely that dealers will get the repair work whether they are covered by a warranty or not.

Some aftermarket auto warranties actually offer coverage for the emissions systems as a surcharged add-on.  This reinforces the reasoning that a good auto warranty is a basic necessity for new or used vehicles.  Most new car warranties and used car warranties alike offer some type of coverage for a vehicle’s emissions system.