In the event that the vehicle is “Written Off” (that is, the car has been damaged to the point where restoration is unfeasible or uneconomic) or disposed of by an insurer, the warranty will be void. The installation of non-original, unapproved, or unlicensed accessories is not advised by KAU.
In This Article...
What actions could invalidate the car’s warranty?
The law that outlines what completely or partially nullifies an automotive warranty is known as the Magnuson Moss Warranty Act. Extended warranties aren’t governed by the same laws because they are technically considered car service contracts. Below are some of the more typical situations, but you should read the terms and conditions to understand what could make the coverage worthless.
#1 Getting Work Done in an Unauthorized Repair Shop
Warranty: While getting someone other than your dealer to work on your automobile won’t normally breach your warranty, if your manufacturer or dealer offers free repairs under the conditions of the warranty, they could specify where these need to be done.
Extended warranties and VSCs are frequent reasons for claim denials. Also keep in mind that certain extended warranties may state the region to which coverage is applicable.
#2 Doing Your Own Repairs
Warranty: The Federal Trade Commission, a consumer protection organization, states that coverage may be withheld if you make your own repair mistakes that result in a problem, albeit the warranty provider would have to show this. However, the warranty provider cannot revoke the coverage only because you handled the repair; any other car parts covered by the guarantee’s terms would continue to be covered regardless.
Extended warranties and VSCs are quite likely to render any claims you might have void.
#3 Not Sticking to the Routine Maintenance Schedule
Warranty: The routine maintenance schedule for your vehicle is detailed in your owner’s manual. This schedule often calls for tasks like tire rotation, fluid level checks, and oil changes. You run the danger of your warranty being voided if you don’t adhere to this timetable.
VSC: In the same way, disregarding the necessary maintenance tasks that keep you and your car safe can void an extended warranty.
#4 No Paperwork
Warranty: The Federal Trade Commission advises maintaining thorough records and receipts of all work performed on your car. Even if you strictly followed the maintenance schedule, your insurance policy may be voided if you don’t have the documentationspecifically, invoices and receipts that explain the work done and who performed it.
In order for the provider to determine if you have adhered to the maintenance plan and receive coverage, you must always keep detailed records of any work performed. Otherwise, your request may be denied.
#5 Modifying Your Car with Aftermarket or Recycled Parts
Warranty: If you utilize aftermarket or recycled parts that are defective or improperly installed and your vehicle is damaged as a result, the manufacturer may refuse to provide coverage. However, this would only apply to the broken parts, and the maker would have to prove that the installation of aftermarket or recycled parts or their use caused the issue.
If the manufacturer offers particular parts for free as part of the warranty coverage, they may also stipulate that these must be used.
Extended warranty/VSC: Modifying your car should be done cautiously as it is a typical reason for claims to be denied.
What auto modifications violate your warranty? The suspension may need to be improved, or turbochargers may need to be installed. Manufacturer upgrades and modifications made by authorized dealers are safer alterations that are less likely to invalidate your policy. However, we still advise being cautious and carefully reviewing the terms of your plan.
Notice to Our Loyal Service Customers Regarding Your Kia Warranty And Kia’s New Synthetic Oil Requirement
All Kia vehicles built after April 2021 must now use 100% synthetic oil in order to remain protected by factory warranty. Any vehicle that is still covered by a factory warranty after June 2022 will need to use full-synthetic oil to stay protected. Your guarantee may be void if conventional or semi-synthetic oil is used.
What grounds void a warranty?
A merchant may decide not to uphold the conditions of a warranty by deeming it void in specific instances, particularly when a customer has used a product for a purpose different than what was intended. The Magnuson-Moss Guarantee Act, a federal statute that governs the majority of consumer purchases in the United States, or other state laws may strongly forbid merchants from attempting to void a warranty, however this does happen occasionally.
State laws add another layer and frequently greater consumer safeguards while the federal statute lays the foundation for U.S. consumers. You might be covered by an implied guarantee even if your written warranty is null and void.
The main topic of this article is whether or not a merchant can void a guarantee. For more articles concerning your consumer warranty rights, visit “Product Warranties and Returns.”
Acceptable Reasons for Voiding a Warranty
Understanding your warranty’s provisions in full, especially if it is a limited warranty, will help you safeguard your interests and prevent having your warranty revoked. Full warranties, which are legally obligated to cover any repairs or replacements related to faults during the guarantee term, are significantly less common than limited ones.
Therefore, the maker or particular product determines the causes for voiding a limited warranty. Knowing a warranty’s terms and restrictions will typically help you determine when and under what circumstances it can be revoked. It’s also a good idea to keep your receipt because it can be the only proof of the transaction.
When making a significant purchase, ponder the following:
- How long will your purchase be covered by the warranty?
- If the product breaks, does the warranty cover repair, replacement, or a refund?
- Who should you get in touch with and how do you get warranty service?
- Which components and issues fall within the warranty’s coverage? Which are expressly disallowed?
- Does the guarantee also apply to “consequential damages” like the price of damaged food in the event that a freezer malfunctions?
- Exist any unauthorized uses, alterations, or modifications to the product that can void the warranty? Federal law stipulates that in order to void a written guarantee, the merchant must demonstrate that the alteration constituted the root of the fault.
- If a warranty is supposedly “lifetime,” does it refer to the lifespan of the item or the owner?
- Is the retailer a respectable business?
The following are some of the most frequent grounds for which merchants void warranties:
- The guarantee period is over.
- The flaw or component is not covered.
- Misuse of the product or improper maintenance are to blame for its failure.
- You significantly altered the item, which has had an impact on its performance.
When Merchants Cannot Invalidate a Warranty
In order to benefit from a full warranty’s benefits, retailers cannot demand that customers fill out a registration card, according to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), which upholds federal consumer rules. While relatively few restrictions may be made to complete warranties, the consumer must be made aware of the precise bounds of any reduced warranties.
The following are some additional warranty requirements or restrictions that the FTC deems unreasonable, and whose compliance will not render a warranty void:
- requiring physical visits to warranty service centers when returning products (also called “carry back”)
- requiring customers to return a vehicle (or watercraft) that is not roadworthy or that, if operated, poses a danger of human injury or further damage
- requiring clients to pay for shipping or shipping insurance
- Making the client liable for any goods lost or stolen during shipping
- requesting the return of goods in their original packing
- requesting the customer to elaborate on the nature or cause of the defect (as opposed to simply describing how it failed)
The phrases “sold as is” or “with all flaws,” although are permitted in other jurisdictions, may not be used by merchants to disclaim an implicit warranty in some states. For additional details, see “What is an Implied Warranty?” Another resource is “Facts for Consumers: Warranties” from the FTC.
Real-Life Examples of Warranty Limitations
Limited warranties have different conditions from one firm to the next, and occasionally even within a single company’s product line. The examples below demonstrate this variety:
- Apple: “Jailbreaking” an iPhone, which allows users to run unapproved software by circumventing built-in restrictions, destroys the device’s warranty. However, breaking into jail is legal.
- For as long as the initial buyer owns their property, Kohler’s lifetime limited warranty is valid for its faucets. The guarantee will be void if incorrect cleaning and care are used, according to the policy.
- Chevrolet: The first three years or 36,000 miles are covered by the “bumper-to-bumper” warranty. The policy excludes coverage for the clutch, coolant hoses, and engine radiator, among other things.
- Integrity Windows & Doors: The company’s 10-year limited guarantee covers stress cracks brought on by manufacturing flaws. Non-glass parts of windows “placed within one mile of a sea coast” are not covered.
- Buck Knives: With a few restrictions, the knife manufacturer’s “forever” warranty is practically a lifetime warranty. Knives harmed by abuse, carelessness, tampering, or self-repair are not covered.
What alterations void the warranty?
What Voids the Warranty on Your Car?
- Racing your car will void the majority of your warranties without a doubt.
- When you take your car to the dealer for maintenance, aftermarket modifications will cause concern.
- Even though your car is built for off-road driving, your warranty might not always cover you.
What happens if I install a cold air intake?
A Cold Air Intake Work my factory warranty be void? No. If an aftermarket part (such as a Cold Air Inductions, Inc. part) is used in a repair, the manufacturer of a warranted product (in this case, a car), may not void or refuse warranty coverage of the repair in the United States.
Is a warranty invalidated if tail lights are changed?
No. A part made by a business other than the original equipment manufacturer or the manufacturer of the vehicle is referred to as a “aftermarket” part. A “recycled” part is one that the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) created for and placed in a brand-new vehicle, then removed from the vehicle and made available for resale or reuse. It’s not enough to just use a recycled or aftermarket item to lose your warranty. Because you used an aftermarket or recycled item, the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act prohibits corporations from voiding your warranty or denying you coverage. However, if specific components are offered to customers without charge as part of the guarantee, the manufacturer or dealer may insist that they use them.
However, the manufacturer or dealer has the discretion to refuse coverage for the aftermarket or recycled item and charge you for any repairs if it turns out that it was in fact defective or improperly installed and it damaged another part that is protected by the warranty. Before refusing warranty coverage, the manufacturer or dealer, according to the FTC, must demonstrate that the aftermarket or recycled item was to blame for the need for repairs.
Can a warranty be void if maintenance is skipped?
Today, however, the emphasis is more on the consequences of improper car maintenance, particularly when a maintenance warning flashes on your dash display and you choose to disregard it.
A manufacturer’s warranty is included with new vehicles and trucks to shield the buyer against expensive engine and drivetrain failure caused by a faulty component or improper assembly on the side of the manufacturer. These warranties are legally required contracts that normally cover a vehicle for a predetermined number of miles and/or months, during which time the majority of repairs are covered without expense to the insured.
The guarantee, however, may be void if it is found that the vehicle owner was careless with it by engaging in unnecessary racing, abusing the suspension while off-roading, overloading the vehicle with baggage, or towing a vehicle that is heavier than the stated maximum towing capacity.
But what if the carelessness is as straightforward as failing to replace the oil and filter according to the manufacturer’s recommendations? Particularly in the event that the engine should malfunction following the suggested oil change and prior to the owner “getting around to changing the oil?
It turns out that, yes, even neglecting to perform regular maintenance on a vehicle by its owner can and will result in the warranty being cancelled, leaving the owner responsible for paying for any further damages to the vehicle as a result of the owner’s negligent maintenance.
According to a recent news item from Ontario that aired on CTV News, a truck owner who experienced engine failure while driving put himself in a situation where his warranty was voided. Looking at his odometer, he briefly felt relieved to see that his car was still covered by the original manufacturer’s guarantee.
Is it necessary to service my automobile at the dealership to maintain the warranty?
The prices, which again vary from one manufacturer to the next, are a helpful approach to help you plan your budget for these extra expenses.
Car servicing deals
Drivers with keen eyes can save money by keeping an eye out for specials on auto maintenance. To keep you mobile while your car is being repaired, several main dealers will provide you with a free courtesy car. Others offer packages that include breakdown insurance for an entire year.
It’s important to look for seasonal health exams that are reasonably priced (or free). These ensure a number of peace-of-mind inspections on your car and are particularly well-liked at the beginning of winter.
Car servicing under warranty
You must pay particular attention to the recommended service intervals for your vehicle. To be sure you don’t drive too far between services or wait too long between them, consult your owner’s manual or contact your dealer.
Your car must be maintained with approved components if you want to retain the guarantee in effect. Anywhere can service your car, but by going to a main dealer, you can be confident that those crucial approved parts are being used.
While most cars require maintenance annually, other types only need it every two years. The majority of vehicles have set distances between services. typically between 12,000 and 20,000 miles, while some cars will notify you automatically when maintenance is required.
These variable service intervals are depending on how you drive, and you’ll need to see your dealer more regularly if you drive a car hard or make a lot of extremely short trips.
Does a tire change void the warranty?
Your warranty won’t be voided by ANYTHING. If it can be established that an aftermarket component was the root of the issues, warranty claims may be REFUSED. Dealers may still make every effort to reject your claim, but you have rights that are well-documented. Wheels and tires are not at all a problem.