I had a car a few years ago that seemed to always have one problem after another. Finally, I got tired of paying for repair after repair, knowing that I was just going to end up paying again in a month or so. I wanted to save up for a better car, but I couldn’t do it if I was always paying the mechanic. So the next time that my car started overheating, I decided to fix it myself. I bought some tools, checked some books on car repair out of the library, looked up answers to my questions online, and pulled parts from old cars at the junkyard. And eventually, I fixed it. You can fix your own car problems too. I started this website to help people who are trying to learn how to be their own mechanics. If I can do it, you can do it.
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First Time Buying A Used Car? What You Need To Know About Service Contracts
Bobbie Jones
If you're like most people, you take your time when deciding which used car to purchase. You kick the tires and look under the hood, even if you don't know what you're looking at. But when it comes to service contracts, a little knowledge goes a long way to ensure you get a good deal. This guide helps you understand what to look for and when to purchase a service contract.
Understanding a Service Contract
A service contract is not a warranty on the vehicle, or an extended warranty as they are referred to. A warranty is provided by the manufacture of the vehicle and is good for a certain amount of miles or years. A service contract is offered by the dealer or a third party to help pay for major repairs and even smaller repairs or maintenance. They are also good for a certain amount of time or miles put on the vehicle.
When to Buy a Service Contract
Ask the dealer for documentation detailing when the original warranty on the car you're consider runs out. If it's going to be soon, then buying a service contract is a good option. However, you don't want to purchase a service contract if you don't plan to keep the vehicle past the warranty expiration date. Buying a service contract at this point creates a situation where the warranty and service contract overlap each other, making one of them obsolete. In other words, if you're covered by a warranty, you don't need a service contract.
What to Look for in a Service Contract
Ask the used car dealer what's covered in the service contract. Keep in mind that most plans do not cover all your vehicle's repair needs. More often than not, brake and clutch replacements are not covered because these jobs are considered normal wear and tear.
Review the service contract before signing it. If something is not listed as covered, then it isn't. Check the contract for whether you are responsible for labor, or if only a percentage of the parts needed are covered. Some contracts only cover replacement parts based a percentage according to how many miles are on the vehicle.
Understanding Financing and Service Contracts
If the used car dealer tells you that the finance company requires a service contract purchase in order to obtain financing, ask the salesperson for the phone number to the finance company. Then call them to verify. You may be offered a better interest rate for adding the service contract cost to the loan, which gets you a good deal.
Report to the dealership armed with as much information as possible, not just about the vehicle you wish to purchase but the service contract as well. Review all paperwork that you receive when purchasing a used car carefully. Ask your dealer to explain any technical jargon that you might not understand and share this guide with others who are purchasing a used car for the first time.
To learn more, contact a company like Car Craft Auto Sales, Inc. with any questions you have.
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