What is the Dual Warranty for New Cars?
2 Answers
Automobile dual warranty refers to a vehicle having two warranty periods. Typically, the warranty period for a car is 3 years, so a dual warranty means the car has two 3-year warranty periods, totaling 6 years of warranty coverage. Some car dealerships offer the dual warranty for free, while others require an additional payment, allowing car owners to choose based on their preferences. Advantages of car extended warranty: 1. After extending the car's warranty period: If the car's core components encounter quality issues, the dealership can provide free repairs, reducing usage costs. 2. Additional services are included with the extended warranty: Enjoy a better car ownership experience. Disadvantages of car extended warranty: 1. There may be some additional terms after extending the warranty: For example, future car maintenance may only be allowed at specified dealerships. 2. If the car is sold before the extended warranty period ends: The money spent on the extended warranty would be wasted.
I did some thorough research on the dual warranty when buying my new car. Essentially, it's a manufacturer-packaged extended warranty plus maintenance plan. Dealers usually offer a 3-year basic warranty, but the dual warranty can extend it to 5 or even 6 years, and crucially, it covers the maintenance costs as per the manual during these years. I opted for this when I bought my last car, and it turned out to be about 30% cheaper than paying for maintenance separately. Especially nowadays with turbocharged cars having high repair costs—like transmission replacements easily costing over ten thousand—the extended warranty is quite cost-effective. However, it's important to note that some dual warranties only cover mechanical parts, leaving you to pay for electronic failures out of pocket. Always read the coverage details line by line before signing the contract to avoid being upsold unnecessary services by the salesperson.
