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FAQ: How to Check Car Warranty by VIN?
Don’t Get Caught Off Guard: Check Your Car Warranty By VIN
At some point in our lives, we’ve all experienced the frustration of a broken-down car and the hefty repair bills that come with it. This can be a significant inconvenience and can put a dent in our wallets, especially if the issue involves major components. However, many people don’t realize that their vehicle may still be covered under warranty, which could help alleviate the stress and cost of repairs.That’s why we’re here to tell you about the importance of looking up your vehicle’s warranty by VIN. Your VIN is a unique identifier that contains crucial information about your car, including its model, year, and manufacturer. Using this number, you can find out if your vehicle is still covered under warranty and what repairs are covered.
The VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) can usually be found in the following places:
- On the driver’s side dashboard, visible through the windshield.
- On the driver’s side door jamb.
- In the engine compartment on the firewall.
- On the front of the car frame, visible through the grill.
- On the vehicle’s title and registration documents.
- On insurance cards or policies.
- In maintenance or service records.
How Does VIN Checking Car Warranties Work?
A VIN check can help determine any active car warranty by providing information about the manufacturer’s warranty and any extended warranties associated with the vehicle. The VIN number is used to access the vehicle history and maintenance records, which can be used to determine if the warranty is still in effect. This information can also reveal any recalls or service bulletins related to the vehicle, which may affect the warranty.
Thus, doing a VIN check can help potential buyers or vehicle owners determine if they are eligible for any warranties to avoid costly repairs or resolve issues.
In the sample vehicle history report, you can find out if a warranty return has been issued or not.
Other Ways to Know Car Warranty Status
Check the odometer: The mileage on the car’s odometer can provide a clue about the warranty status. For example, if the car has a five-year/60,000-mile warranty and it has only been driven for two years and 20,000 miles, the warranty is probably still active. Note: this might not work if the odometer reading has been tampered with.
Contact the dealership: Another way to check if a car warranty is still active is to contact the dealership where the car was bought. The dealership will have all the information about the car, including the warranty status.
Check the manufacturer’s website: Most car manufacturers have a website where customers can check warranty information. By entering the car’s vehicle identification number (VIN) on the manufacturer’s VIN lookup (as in the case of Ford) or by searching the exact make and model (as in the case of Toyota), customers can find out if the car’s warranty is still active.
Check the service history: If the car has been regularly serviced at an authorized dealership, the service history will contain information on the car’s warranty status. The service history will also reveal any repairs done under warranty.
Check online databases: Some websites, such as Carfax and AutoCheck, provide a vehicle history report that includes warranty coverage information. You can input the car’s VIN number on their VIN decoder tools to check if a warranty is still active.
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