Auto Repair Warranties: What Are They, and Do I Need One?
As a Northern Virginia motorist, there are all kinds of auto warranties you should know about. Bumper-to-bumper warranties cover dealership repairs for new vehicles, extended powertrain warranties apply to some engine, driveline, and transmission repairs after a bumper-to-bumper warranty expires, and extended warranties provide additional auto repair coverage. Along with these policies, you’ll want to have a thorough understanding of car repair warranties.
Finding an auto shop that offers a complete auto repair warranty now could ease the burden of having your car repaired later. Read on for a closer look at car repair warranties and learn why finding a shop that offers this form of coverage is essential.
What Is a Car Repair Warranty?
Car repair warranties are offered by reputable auto shops with enough confidence in their skills to put their money where their mouth is. When your shop of choice provides a car repair warranty, it guarantees that its eligible services will be defect-free for a predetermined amount of time. And if that’s not the case, the shops offering these warranties will go the extra mile to set things right.
That said, not all car repair warranties are created equal, and some Northern Virginia auto repair warranties cover services that others don’t. Repair warranties can also vary in terms of how long their coverage lasts. Most warranties in this category offer two coverage periods — a timespan expressed in months and a mileage number.
Why Do I Need a Warranty for Auto Repair?
Have you found a reliable auto shop to care for your Northern Virginia auto repair and maintenance needs? If so, you probably aren’t too concerned about the quality of their services. And for a good reason: Shops that employ qualified mechanics and have a long history in the area will generally provide high-quality repairs to their customers.
But since no auto shop is perfect, even the most skilled mechanics can make mistakes. When that happens, you don’t want to be in the frustrating position of spending money to resolve yet another car problem — especially when said problem was caused by the people who were trying to fix the last issue you were dealing with. Fortunately, a car repair warranty can help you get back on the road as quickly (and inexpensively) as possible.
What Should My Repair Warranty Include?
Even if a warranty looks good on paper, it’s not likely to be useful if it only covers a few services. Ideally, your shop’s repair warranty should cover handiwork defects related to your vehicle’s:
- Auto air conditioning system
- Exhaust system
- Engine cooling system
- Brakes
- Cruise control system
- Electrical systems (including starting and charging systems; up to 12-volt systems)
- Engine repair, performance, and drivability services
- Electronic engine management system/on-board computer systems
- Timing belts
- Fuel system
- Ignition system
- Steering and suspension systems
You’ll also want to know how long your repair warranty will remain in effect. Many auto shops offer a 12-month/12,000-mile service warranty, but Northern Virginia drivers can do even better than that. The best local shops, like Hogan & Sons Tire and Auto, guarantee their work will be free of defects for 24,000 miles or 24 months (whichever comes first).
What Do Auto Repair Warranties Exclude?
Even a complete auto repair warranty can’t cover everything that might go wrong with a vehicle. With that in mind, you shouldn’t expect your shop’s limited repair warranty to cover the following:
- Non-warranty services handled alongside warranty services
- Vehicle damage resulting from neglect, misuse, accidents, etc.
- Services not officially included in (or specifically excluded from) the warranty
- Consequential/incidental damages (in some states)
Here’s How to Get Warranty Service
When they need to take advantage of their shop’s warranty for car repair, Northern Virginia residents should start by returning their car to the physical location where their last repair took place — even if this shop is part of a larger chain in the area. They’ll need to provide you with a copy of their original invoice.
Are you over 25 miles away from your local auto shop and unable to bring your vehicle back for service? In that case, Hogan & Sons customers can take advantage of our Limited Nationwide Service Warranty by calling (877) 367-6144.
Enjoy Complete Auto Repair Service — And Complete Warranty Coverage
While searching for a car repair shop, Northern Virginia residents shouldn’t only look for qualified mechanics, opportunities to save on car repairs, and convenient locations in Northern VA. While those are undoubtedly high priorities, motorists should also try to find an auto shop that delivers repair warranties for its services. Drivers in the area should also ensure their shop’s repair warranty offers broad coverage that lasts longer than a few months.
At Hogan & Sons, we believe in the quality of our work, but we also understand just how easily things can go wrong. Because of that, we offer a comprehensive auto repair warranty covering service defects on your climate control systems, engine, brakes, and more. To get Northern Virginia’s best auto repair service and best car repair warranty, book your appointment today!
