The short answer is yes! But let’s dive into this question a little deeper…
When you own a car that no longer has a warranty, what do you do? Can you get it repaired? Should you get a new warranty? Is either option prohibitively expensive?
Buying a used car can lead you to this situation. Many people buy used cars since they cost less. They look for a car in good condition and don’t immediately run into any problems, so it seems like the cheap and easy way to go. But keep in mind that you need maintenance even with a new car… with a used car, you’ll eventually need that much more. Maintenance soon enough, and repairs possibly sooner. And then that car doesn’t seem so great anymore.
It just takes one incident on the road to get you frustrated and remind you why warranties exist.
But no need to regret your used car buy. Focus on what can be done. Check if the damage on your car is severe and if it might cost you a lot. If it’s looking expensive, you can always investigate a warranty at the time of repair. There are always options! Here are some points to keep in mind.
Compare costs – We said it in the last post about buy vs. repair, we’re saying it again… Always run the numbers. You’re going to want to calculate the cost of a warranty package for your current car and compare that to the monthly cost of a new car that comes with a new warranty. This calculation will hep you decide if it’s worth it.
Get a referral – Ask a friend for a repair shop that can give discounts for a warranty referral. If you end up having to replace parts of the car, make sure that will be covered by the warranty. And remember that a new warranty or policy will shoulder the burden of future damages.
Research & Negotiate – Patience is a virtue that will save you money and headaches if you apply it to your car repairs. Do your shopping for repair shops and warranty options. Some areas have repair shops for second-hand or used cars. These business usually have good options for out-of-warranty damaged cars. When you find one, try to negotiate for the best repair possible and still make sure that the replaced item and parts will be under warranty.
Of course, you can always just do the repair and forget about the warranty… but that may not help you in the long run. You have to think long-term. While it may be cheaper now for you to skip the warranty, you could run into a worse situation a month down the road… and it might cost you even more to pay for another repair than to get a coverage repair plan. It might even be a good idea to – surprise – calculate and compare the costs of both scenarios.
In the end, it’s always your decision. But do yourself a service and make it an informed decision . Look into the value you’re getting for your money, both for the immediate repair need and for long-term security!
