Is the Warranty Still Valid If the Warranty Manual Is Lost?
3 Answers
Yes, the warranty is still valid because the 4S shop will have maintenance records. Relevant information: 1. Automobile Warranty Period: The automobile warranty period refers to the time period during which the automobile manufacturer promises to provide free repairs and maintenance for faults caused by quality problems when selling the product to consumers. 2. Extension: Nowadays, most automobile manufacturers implement a new vehicle warranty period, "two years or 60,000 kilometers, whichever comes first." That is, there are two conditions for the warranty period: one is the time limit, which is 2 years of driving time; the second is the mileage limit, which is 60,000 kilometers of driving distance. As long as either of these two conditions is met, it means that the vehicle's warranty period has expired, and normal maintenance and repairs for the vehicle are no longer free.
A friend of mine recently lost his car’s warranty manual and was in a panic, thinking it would affect his warranty service. He rushed to a nearby 4S dealership to inquire, and the staff explained that warranty coverage primarily relies on the vehicle’s VIN number—the string of digits under the windshield, which acts as the car’s ID. All warranty records are stored in the system, and the manual is just a guide for easy reference to maintenance information or terms. Losing it doesn’t impact the actual warranty. However, the staff advised him to contact the manufacturer to request a replacement manual to avoid missing maintenance reminders or upgrade notifications. In daily use, scanning the QR code or taking photos of the manual content via a mobile app is also a good practice. In short, there’s no need to worry too much—early communication with the dealership can resolve the issue. The key is to keep maintenance records and purchase proofs handy, just in case.
I often hear people talk about this, losing the warranty manual is really not a big deal. The core of the warranty is the vehicle's VIN number, with which the dealer can check the purchase date and warranty period in their system. The manual is more like a reference book for the owner. Without it, you can always download an electronic version from the official website or call customer service to get a replacement. If you accidentally lose it, prioritize checking if the VIN is clear and ensure the maintenance records are complete to avoid warranty issues due to delays. Most brands have online service platforms where you can check the terms by entering the VIN. Simply put, the manual's presence isn't crucial; what matters is not delaying regular maintenance. It's recommended to take photos of the manual as a backup and keep electronic files in the car for more transparent vehicle condition tracking.
