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When you purchase a used car from a private party or independent dealership, it can be difficult to determine the vehicle’s history and any potential mechanical problems you may encounter. This is why purchasing coverage from one of the best used car warranty companies may be a good idea.
This article will go over the basics of warranties for used cars and recommend used car warranty companies based on prices, coverage options, customer service reviews, reputations, and claims servicing quality.
One thing is common across all of the best extended car warranty companies: Prices are different for every customer. Your vehicle and location determine the cost of any warranty. The best way to get an understanding of how much an extended warranty will cost is to compare quotes for yourself. Use the buttons above to get personalized quotes from top providers.
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Can You Buy a Warranty on a Used Car?
Yes, you can buy a warranty on a used car. If you are buying a certified pre-owned (CPO) vehicle, chances are it already comes with a used car warranty. Depending on how old a used car is, it may still be covered under the original factory warranty as well, even if it’s not a CPO.
If the car you intend to purchase is not already covered by a warranty, most dealerships will offer to sell extended warranties. When you purchase a used car from a private party, you won’t have the option to get a manufacturer’s warranty, but you can still get coverage from a number of independent used car warranty companies.
5 Best Used Car Warranty Companies
These are the five best used car warranty companies:
- Endurance: Best Coverage
- CARCHEX: Best Service
- CarShield: Best Value
- Protect My Car: Best Financing
- autopom!: Best Customer Experience
All of our top recommended providers offer warranties for used cars that can be purchased at any time. You don’t have to buy them when you purchase your vehicle. Extended vehicle service contracts can be a good idea for a car you buy or for a car you’re planning to sell. Each of these used car warranty companies works only with repair shops certified by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE®) to help customers when mechanical breakdowns occur.
Transferable | Coverage Levels | Highest Mileage Covered | Cost | Our Rating | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Endurance | Yes | 5 | 200,000 miles | Average | 4.9 |
CARCHEX | Yes | 5 | 250,000 miles | Average | 4.8 |
| CarShield | Yes | 6 | 200,000 miles | Low to average | 4.6 |
Protect My Car | Yes | 3 | 125,000 miles | Average to high | 4.5 |
| autopom! | Yes | 4 | 150,000 miles | Low to average | 4.4 |
Endurance: Best Coverage
We think Endurance offers the best coverage options out of the used car warranty companies we reviewed. The six levels of Endurance coverage include:
- Supreme: Exclusionary bumper-to-bumper protection
- Superior: High-level coverage that protects most major parts
- Secure Plus: Powertrain coverage with some added components
- Secure: Low-cost powertrain coverage
- Select Premier: Basic coverage for high-mileage vehicles
- EnduranceAdvantageTM: Combines mechanical protection and routine maintenance coverage
Plans can cover vehicles until they reach over 200,000 miles. Our Endurance warranty review found that the company also offers some of the best perks in the industry. Along with standard roadside assistance, towing, trip interruption coverage, and rental car reimbursement, as part of the Endurance Elite Membership, drivers also get:
- One key fob replacement per year
- Identity theft protection
- Two tire repairs or replacements per year
- $5,000 in repair loans
- $250 gift certificate for select dining and travel partners
To see how much you would pay for extended warranty coverage for your used vehicle, get a free quote from Endurance below.
Our rating: 4.6 out of 5.0
Endurance is our pick for best coverage with its comprehensive warranty options.
(888) 650-5952
CARCHEX: Best Service
CARCHEX extended warranties are available anywhere in the US. This used car warranty company has been selling warranties for over 20 years and partners with companies like CARFAX, RepairPal, Kelley Blue Book, and Edmunds.com. CARCHEX coverage plans include:
- Titanium: An exclusionary bumper-to-bumper warranty
- Platinum: Covers the same components as the lower-tier Gold plan as well as the fuel delivery system and audio center
- Gold: Covers a number of vital components
- Silver: Covers the powertrain components and other select systems
- Bronze: A basic powertrain warranty
CARCHEX earned second place in our industry review, and our in-depth review of CARCHEX found that the provider has the best service in the industry.
Learn more about vehicle protection from CARCHEX by getting a free quote below.
Our rating: 4.4 out of 5.0
Our research found this provider to be the best for used cars.
(866) 254-0205
CarShield: Best Budget Warranty
CarShield sells five warranty plans and is a quality, low-budget option among used car warranty companies. Coverage options offered by CarShield include:
- Diamond: Exclusionary, bumper-to-bumper coverage
- Platinum: Comprehensive coverage for high-mileage vehicles
- Gold: Powertrain plus coverage that includes major components
- Silver: Low-cost powertrain coverage
- Aluminum: Covers most electrical components
CarShield sells long-term warranty options for high-mileage vehicles that other companies will sometimes decline to cover. It also sells various levels of protection for motorcycles and ATVs.
Get a free, personalized quote for a CarShield extended auto warranty below.
Our rating: 4.2 out of 5.0
Our research found this provider to be the most affordable. Plus, it offers monthly plans.
(888) 346-0759
Protect My Car: Best Long-Term Financing
While Protect My Car only offers three levels of auto protection, it ranks among our list of top used car warranty companies because of its superior claims servicing, positive customer reviews, and long-term financing options. Coverage levels offered by Protect My Car include:
- Supreme: Coverage for most systems and components
- Select: Covers some main systems
- Driveline: Powertrain protection plan that includes select additional components
Learn more about Protect My Car by getting a free quote for your vehicle below.
Our rating: 4.3 out of 5.0
Protect My Car is our pick for best long-term financing.
(888) 430-0227
Autopom!: Best Customer Experience
Autopom! has an excellent industry reputation and earns high customer service marks. While younger than more established competitors, autopom! is quickly growing into one of the most well-known used car warranty companies in the industry.
Autopom! vehicle warranty options include:
- Exclusionary: Includes nearly all mechanical and electrical vehicle components
- High-Level: Covers most major systems
- Mid-Level: Covers everything included in the lower-tier Powertrain Plus plan as well as select steering and braking system components
- Powertrain Plus: Protects your car’s major systems like the engine, transmission, transfer case, drive axle, differential assembly, air conditioning, and basic electrical components
Get a free quote for an autopom! extended warranty below.
Our rating: 4.2 out of 5.0
autopom! is our pick for best customer experience.
(800) 724-8141
Used Car Warranty Cost
Based on our team’s research, the average price for a powertrain warranty for a vehicle with around 40,000 miles is between $375 to $800 per year of coverage. Fees can be paid upfront or financed on a month-to-month basis. The average price for a bumper-to-bumper exclusionary warranty for the same mileage vehicle is between $480 to $1,200 per year of coverage.
As you can see, these ranges are quite wide. All used car warranty companies offer different pricing, financing, and service options. Contracts with a higher overall price may have longer financing terms. Prices will also be different depending on your vehicle. Some models are more expensive to cover than others. Vehicles with higher mileage and older cars are also more expensive to cover, and some companies will only offer limited coverage to vehicles over a certain mileage.
As vehicles age, they become more expensive to maintain. Nothing will last forever, and the longer you own your car, the more it will degrade. A mechanical problem is inevitable for even the most well-maintained vehicles.
The cost of maintaining your used car could well exceed the price of an extended warranty. The chart below details some common issues and repair costs for select vehicle models, according to RepairPal.
Vehicle | Issue/Repair | Maintenance Cost |
|---|---|---|
Acura MDX | Rough shifting/transmission issues | $82 to $102 |
Buick Century | Intake manifold gasket leak | $286 to $369 |
Ford Explorer | Exhaust pipe replacement | $351 to 370 |
Plymouth Grand Voyager | Power windows not working | $377 to $404 |
Chrysler Town & Country | Rear evaporator leak | $997 to $1,190 |
Should You Buy a Used Car Warranty?
You should consider your own needs and budget before purchasing coverage from a used car warranty company. There is no definitive answer for everyone about the value of a used car warranty. Wear and tear is inevitable, and you should prepare your wallet for auto repairs one way or another.
When you purchase a used car from a lot, you may be offered an extended warranty by the dealership. If you buy a used car from an individual, you will need to seek out an extended warranty provider on your own. If you plan to sell your used car, extended warranty protection that transfers between owners could entice more buyers.
Here are a few pros and cons of extended car warranties:
Used Car Warranty Pros | Used Car Warranty Cons |
|---|---|
| Peace of mind that you will not be suddenly hit by a large repair bill for covered repairsAbility to finance the cost of car repairs over a long period of timeExtra benefits like roadside assistance and rental car reimbursementPossibility of increasing the resale value of your vehicleProtection against purchasing a lemon by acting as a guarantee against vehicle defects | Cost of warranty may not exceed the cost of repairsNo guarantee that every breakdown will be covered |
To find out how much you would pay for a plan from one of the top used car warranty companies, get a few free quotes for your vehicle. Warranty prices vary depending on your vehicle make, model, age, and mileage, so the only way to know how much you would pay is to get a quote.
Methodology
Our review team prides itself on sharing accurate and unbiased information with consumers. We have accumulated data from dozens of extended auto warranty companies to formulate our rankings of the industry’s best providers. Companies receive a score out of 5.0 overall, as well as a rating in each of the following categories:
- Price: Comparing providers can be difficult due to the many factors that influence cost. To determine this score, we employ a secret shopper analysis using different vehicles, mileages, warranty plans, and locations.
- Coverage: A wide variety of coverage is essential to support the differing needs of customers. We take into account the number of extended car warranty plans available, term limits, exclusions, and additional benefits.
- Customer Service: The level of customer service and care provided by an extended warranty company is an important consideration. Our review team sifts through customer reviews and complaints from reputable sources such as the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and Trustpilot. We also consider the responsiveness of each company’s customer service team based on our secret shopper analysis.
- Reputation: Good extended warranty providers consistently provide quality experiences. Our team takes into account BBB ratings and the company’s history of reliable service when giving this score.
- Transparency: Customers value a commitment to open and honest communication when it comes to vehicle service contracts. Our team of experts takes into account the availability of money-back guarantees and sample contracts.
