Written by: Jen Wagner
Last updated: February 16, 2025
Let’s face it: we have a lot of responsibilities as adults. One is keeping track of important documents like medical bills, tax forms, and receipts. Sometimes, these things get lost or thrown out, and we’re left scrambling to find them at the most inconvenient time. A great example is a car’s extended warranty — an optional protection plan drivers can buy to help cover unexpected car repair costs.
If lost paperwork has you wondering whether you have an active warranty in place, getting the answer is possible. Instead of paying out of pocket for repair work that might be covered, take the time to find out. The following information can help guide you to getting answers you need.
Search Your Car’s History Online
Before jumping into an extended coverage search, research your vehicle’s history to track down your factory warranty first. By visiting the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System website (NMVTIS) you can access information regarding your car’s purchase date. However, you will need your vehicle identification number (VIN) to do this.
The VIN is a 17-character number that identifies the unique features and manufacturer of your car. You can find the VIN:
- On the driver’s side dashboard where the dash and windshield meet,
- On a sticker placed on the driver’s side door or door jamb, or
- On your vehicle’s insurance card or title.
Once you locate the VIN, you can enter the information on one of the data providers’ websites that the NMVTIS lists. Take note of the original date of purchase and compare it to your vehicle’s age and odometer mileage.
Check the Length of Your Manufacturer’s Warranty
The next step in determining your car warranty status is identifying warranty duration. Once you have the purchase date, vehicle age, and odometer mileage, you can compare that information to our chart of different factory warranty lengths found here. Most factory warranties last three years or 36,000 miles. Yet according to the U.S. Department of Transportation (FHA), drivers travel 13,476 miles annually. Therefore, most drivers reach their original warranty limit before the three-year ownership mark.
For example, say you purchased a 2023 Honda Pilot. The vehicle’s bumper-to-bumper warranty would remain active until 2026 or once you reach the 36,000-mile mark. However, if you purchased a 2021 Honda Pilot, the original bumper-to-bumper coverage would have lapsed in 2024. But, the powertrain warranty would remain active until 2026 or upon reaching 60,000 miles.
Is your vehicle’s age and mileage still within the coverage period? If yes, your car’s factory warranty is likely still active. If not, there is a chance your car may have active extended coverage.
Locate the Paperwork
If you bought a used car, your sales consultant likely presented you with the option to add a vehicle service contract (VSC) or extended car warranty to your sale contract. While new cars come with manufacturer/factory warranties, used cars are generally sold with extended warranties. These are meant to protect you in case of a sudden breakdown after the factory contract expires.
Finding and reviewing the original sale contract is one of the easiest ways to check your car’s warranty status. Most car owners store this paperwork in the vehicle glove box. If you’re lucky, the paperwork will include the details of your extended warranty or VSC.
But what if you bought your car from a private seller — outside a dealership? In that case, having extended warranty coverage is highly unlikely. Still, it’s not impossible. Some service contracts are transferable to new owners.
Unable to Find the Paperwork?
The process to get it is a bit trickier, but it can be done. Keep reading to find out how.
Contact the Dealer
If you can’t find your car’s paperwork, you’ll want to call the dealership where you bought your car (unless you bought it via a private sale). The customer service department should be able to access your account information, including a record of your purchase and/or sales contract. With this information, they can identify the warranty provider and any information surrounding the contract’s length/mileage stipulations.
If you have a manufacturer-issued warranty, any official dealership should have a record of it and be able to help. If getting in touch with the dealership is not possible, for whatever reason, you still have options.
Reach Out to the Finance Company
Not everyone has the cash on hand to buy a car outright. So, chances are you financed some or all of the purchase. If this is the case, you can always contact the company you used to acquire a car loan (i.e., Bank of America, Navy Federal Credit Union, etc.) The record of this transaction should be documented in your account. Further, the paperwork for the loan may contain the details you need.
Call Extended Warranty Companies
Another option, which can be time-consuming, is contacting the car manufacturer and/or extended warranty provider directly. A customer service representative should be able to check the records on their end to see if you have coverage.
In the event you bought your car through a private sale and cannot find any record of a vehicle service contract from the previous owner, start calling the major warranty providers first. The odds of it being a major provider plan are more than likely. You can find the details concerning these main manufacturers and warranty providers here.
If you manage to get hold of the contract, or the provider and age/mileage limit, at the very least, you can follow the next steps. If you don’t have any luck, you’ll have to assume you have no active coverage.
Check for Expiration Dates and Mileage
Once you have the contract, look for the expiration date and mileage limit and note the one that comes first. Then, check your contract’s activation date. Does your car’s odometer show more miles than the warranty’s limit? If yes, it’s time to think about your next steps.
Note Whether Your Coverage Is Still Valid
When you reach this point, there’s one final check to make. Read the contract carefully and determine if you’ve kept up with the maintenance schedule. Do you have the relevant paperwork, like repair invoices, if applicable? Ensure you haven’t voided any of the other terms by understanding why a provider will invalidate your warranty.
Consider the Benefits of an Extended Warranty Contract
If your vehicle isn’t under warranty, consider investing in an extended warranty as soon as possible. Vehicle protection plans are available through several reliable providers and offer varying levels of coverage to meet your needs and budget.
Selecting the right vehicle service contract provides complete coverage when combined with your auto insurance. While car insurance companies cover you for damage and repairs when your vehicle is involved in an accident, they generally don’t offer protection against routine maintenance and mechanical breakdowns.
We’ve designed a buyer guide to give you a step-by-step process for choosing the right coverage plan for you. Also, check out our reviews, which are based on our own experiences after testing each one ourselves. If you’d like more information on extended warranty basics, you can read more here.
FAQs
What is an extended car warranty?
An extended warranty, or vehicle service contract (VSC), is different from the original factory warranty a manufacturer issues. While there are similarities in principle, and both are designed to provide peace of mind and coverage for certain repairs and maintenance over a defined number of years and miles, there are differences.
Both car dealerships and third-party providers offer extended warranty coverage. You can buy it from the deal as an add-on when you purchase your car or at any time afterward through a third-party provider.
Am I required to have extended warranty coverage?
No one requires you to get this coverage. Still, if you want to mitigate the likely costs of maintenance and repairs, making the investment is certainly worth considering. Read more about the different ways you can protect your vehicle here.
Do all providers offer the same type of warranty?
Depending on the provider you use, different coverage options are available for your car, given its age and mileage. Some plans cover basic mechanical part repair costs, while others are more comprehensive. And depending on what you pick, the car warranty costs will vary.
The most valuable plans will fit your needs and budget and provide added perks like towing, rental car reimbursements, and lockout services. Always inspect the fine print and exclusions before signing the dotted line, so you know exactly what you’re getting (or not getting).
Do extended warranty contracts last as long as factory warranties?
The coverage period with an extended warranty depends on the terms of the specific plan you purchased, so if you aren’t sure whether your car is still covered, you’ll need to perform a simple check.
