{"id":1252,"date":"2018-11-16T14:45:37","date_gmt":"2018-11-16T20:45:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.carwise.com\/blog\/?p=1252"},"modified":"2018-11-16T14:45:37","modified_gmt":"2018-11-16T20:45:37","slug":"can-an-accident-void-my-vehicles-warranty","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.carwise.com\/blog\/2018\/11\/16\/can-an-accident-void-my-vehicles-warranty\/","title":{"rendered":"Can an Accident Void My Vehicle\u2019s Warranty?"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you drive a newer vehicle it\u2019s probably covered by a manufacturer\u2019s warranty that\u2019s designed to give you peace-of-mind if a mechanical problem arises. Warranties typically contain provisions with bumper-to-bumper and powertrain coverage, most are transferable, and all have mileage or time limits based on the manufacturer\u2019s terms. The average factory powertrain warranty is usually good for 60,000 to 100,000 miles, or 4 to 6 years, while most bumper-to-bumper plans protect you for 30,000 to 50,000 miles, or 3 to 5 years. But does being involved in a car accident, notably a serious one, void the manufacturer\u2019s warranty? The answer to that important question may lie in the collision repairs themselves. <\/span><\/p>\n

Factors That Can Void a Warranty <\/b><\/h3>\n

Within the fine print of your warranty you\u2019ll find several reasons why the manufacturer can void it when your vehicle sustains damage due to these factors:<\/span><\/p>\n

Title Salvage Distinction <\/b><\/h3>\n

When your car or truck is involved in a serious accident and is subsequently given a \u201csalvage\u201d distinction by your insurer, which means it was a total loss, your entire warranty is voided. <\/span><\/p>\n

Vehicle Abuse <\/b><\/h3>\n

This can be interpreted in many ways, and most often refers to using your vehicle for racing or subjecting it to other forms of excessive wear-and-tear, including off-roading. Potentially, any use outside of what\u2019s considered \u201cnormal\u201d can be interpreted as abuse by the manufacturer. <\/span><\/p>\n

Natural Disasters<\/b><\/h3>\n

If damaged by an environmental disaster, sometimes referred to as \u201can act of God\u201d, such as a fire, flood, tornado, hurricane or earthquake, your vehicle\u2019s warranty is null-and-void. <\/span><\/p>\n

Odometer Tampering<\/b><\/h3>\n

Also called \u201crolling back\u201d your odometer, for obvious reasons your warranty will be voided if you engage in such practices. <\/span><\/p>\n

Dirty or Improper Fluids<\/b><\/h3>\n

If you accidentally put diesel fuel in your gasoline engine, that\u2019s not the manufacturer\u2019s fault. Or, if you use the wrong type of antifreeze or oil that\u2019s outside of what\u2019s specified in the owner\u2019s manual, it could invalidate the warranty. <\/span><\/p>\n

Non-Approved Repair Parts<\/b><\/h3>\n

The use of aftermarket parts is a very gray area when it comes to warranties, and most often comes up after an accident when your vehicle is at the body shop for repairs. To ensure that your warranty stays in-force, ask the shop manager to only use OEM parts, or aftermarket ones that are manufacturer-approved. <\/span><\/p>\n

It must be noted that under the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act of 1975, warranty coverage cannot be denied unless the manufacturer can definitively prove that an aftermarket part in question caused specified damage to the vehicle.  <\/span><\/p>\n

What About Accidents?     <\/b><\/h3>\n

In most cases when your vehicle is repairable, an accident has no bearing on the warranty. According to industry experts, the only way the accident itself can void a warranty is if the vehicle\u2019s been given a title salvage designation after being declared a total loss by the insurer because the damages sustained would cost more in collision repairs than its assessed market value. According to Kelly Blue Book (kbb.com), factors that influence your vehicle\u2019s assessed market value include:<\/span><\/p>\n