Car Warranty Check by VIN

How can I check if my car is still under warranty?

You can check if your car is still under warranty by looking at the manufacturer’s website, contracting the dealership where you bought your car, using your VIN or referencing your original purchase paperwork. To see how much time is left on the manufacturer’s warranty, follow these easy steps:

How to check warranty by VIN

1. Find your VIN
2. Enter VIN on manufacturer website
3. Contact dealership or use portal
4. Review warranty details  

1. Find the VIN

Before you can look up your car’s warranty, you’ll need to locate the VIN. It can usually be found in several places:

• On the dashboard, driver’s side (look through the windshield)
• Inside the driver’s side doorjamb
• In the engine compartment, near the front
• On the underside of the hood
• Inside the rear wheel well

If you’re having trouble finding the VIN, you can also get it from your car registration, title or insurance paperwork. If you have an older car, it may be stamped on the front frame near the engine.

2. Check the odometer

Car warranties last for a specified mileage and number of years. To determine if the warranty is still valid, you’ll need to know the current mileage.

Write down the mileage as displayed on your car’s odometer. This is found on the instrument cluster behind the steering wheel.

3. Contact a dealership

Once you have this information, you can contact a local dealership to check on the warranty. Unfortunately, you can’t tell strictly by the model year — many models are released for sale before the year they’re labeled with.

For example, a 2021 model might’ve been purchased in 2020, or it might have sat on the lot until 2022. What matters is when it was first sold — that’s when the warranty begins. Here are three ways to contact the dealership:

• Contact the dealership directly: Call the dealership to see if the warranty is still valid. You can also email the dealership or stop in as you’re driving by. You don’t have to contact the dealership where you bought the vehicle, but find one that sells the same make.
• Use an online system: The majority of dealerships provide an online portal to look up service dates, recalls and warranty information. If the dealer doesn’t have one, you can find it on the manufacturer’s website.
• Read purchase paperwork: If you still have the paperwork from when the car was purchased, you can figure out how much time is left on the warranty. Look at both the length of the warranty and the mileage.

There may also be information in your owner’s manual. If you don’t have an owner’s manual, you can get one online or through a local dealership.

» MORE: What is a dealership warranty?

Can I check extended warranty coverage with my VIN?

Yes, you can often check your extended warranty or service contract coverage using your vehicle’s VIN. Most manufacturers and warranty providers allow you to enter the VIN online to see the remaining coverage, expiration dates and included services.

This is useful for verifying whether your extended warranty is still active, understanding what repairs are covered and planning future maintenance.

Be sure to:

• Have your warranty documents handy when performing a VIN check — some providers may require your warranty contract number in addition to the VIN.
• Use the VIN lookup to confirm coverage before making expensive repairs or claims.

Can used car buyers check warranty coverage with the VIN?

Used car buyers can use the VIN to check if a vehicle still has active manufacturer or dealer warranties. This includes information about:

• Transferability: Many original warranties can be transferred to a new owner, though rules vary by manufacturer.
• Coverage for used cars: Some warranties only apply if the vehicle was maintained according to the manufacturer’s requirements.
• Remaining warranty availability: VIN checks can show how much time or mileage is left on coverage, helping buyers evaluate potential repair costs.

Before buying a used car, request a VIN-based warranty check from the dealer or manufacturer. It can provide peace of mind and help you negotiate a fair price.

VIN lookup tools

VIN lookup tools provide detailed information about a vehicle, including warranty coverage, recalls and more.

Many manufacturers allow you to look up your warranty coverage with your VIN by creating an account online and entering your information. Ford, Honda and Toyota all have online portals with free VIN lookup tools for checking warranty status.

Note that free VIN decoder tools, like the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA), won’t reveal warranty status, only information about the vehicle’s plant of manufacture.

There are also paid lookup tools, like Carfax and Autocheck, but these can cost around $50 or more. Here’s what you’ll get with a free versus paid VIN lookup tool:

• Free VIN checks: Provide basic info like manufacturer, model year, recalls and basic warranty status
• Paid VIN reports: Offer more detailed histories, including accidents, service records, title issues, transferability for used vehicles and extended warranty coverage

Should I check my car warranty with Carfax?

Carfax provides a complete vehicle history report, including its warranty status, for a specified fee. You’ll also see accident history, recall notices, ownership history and an estimated value.

Some users say the service is overpriced for what it offers. Andrew of Nevada said: “I feel like I was scammed because charging $45 for practically free information is ridiculous. It's a decent service for what it is, but there's no value for the price they are offering. Some of the information was missing, and I tried contacting their support but no luck getting my money back.”

What does my car warranty cover?

Warranty protection can be incredibly helpful in reducing out-of-pocket expenses on a car. If you can’t afford to pay for major repair bills, an extended warranty can cover these costs.

What your car warranty covers depends on the type of warranty you have. New cars come with several warranty protections, including powertrain and bumper-to-bumper warranties (also known as exclusionary warranties).

Here are some common types of warranties:

• Bumper-to-bumper: The most comprehensive coverage; covers most vehicle parts and systems
• Powertrain: Covers the engine, transmission, drive systems, drive shaft and transaxle
• Rust and corrosion: Covers rust-through on body panels and, in some cases, surface corrosion caused by a defect
• Federal emission control or California emission control: Covers emissions-related components, with added protection in California
• Hybrid battery: Hybrid and electric vehicles have a separate warranty for their traction batteries

You can also purchase extended warranty protection to use after the original protections expire. These protection plans are typically offered at the time of purchase, or you can go with a third-party company at any point after the sale.

Factory warranties by manufacturer

You can find standard warranty information from any automaker by looking at its website. The site should plainly show what kind of protection you’re getting when you buy a vehicle.

Some vehicles provide extensive warranty protection, which can lead buyers to believe the car is made better. While this isn’t necessarily true, it’s helpful to have a longer warranty term, just in case something goes wrong.

Can I void my car warranty?

Yes, you can void your car warranty if you don’t follow the rules set by the manufacturer. The most common ways drivers void their warranty include missing maintenance, misusing the vehicle or making certain modifications.

Checking your warranty using your VIN tells you how long your coverage should last, but that doesn’t guarantee protection if the terms have been violated.

Even if you’re still in your warranty period, your car might not be covered if you’ve made aftermarket modifications or neglected to maintain it.

Here are some common ways people void their warranties:

• Neglect: If you don't take your car for regular maintenance, the warranty may be voided. The automaker isn't going to pay for a new engine if you haven’t been changing the oil.
• Misuse: Using your vehicle for something other than what it’s intended for is a surefire way to void the warranty. Don’t go off-roading in your compact sedan or start racing with your pickup truck.
• Salvage title: If the vehicle was totaled in an accident, you won’t get warranty protection.
• Aftermarket modifications: Adding non-factory parts won’t automatically void your warranty, but coverage can be denied if the dealer can prove the modification has caused the problem.
• Odometer tampering: You can’t mess with the odometer in hopes of getting more warranty coverage. This practice is considered illegal.
• Environmental damage: If the vehicle was damaged by a hailstorm, flood, fire or other environmental problem, the automaker isn’t required to honor the warranty.

It’s important to read through the warranty paperwork to familiarize yourself with all the rules for keeping your car under warranty.

What if my warranty expired?

If your manufacturer’s warranty has already expired, you still have options to protect yourself from high repair costs.

• Third-party extended warranties: Companies like Endurance, CarShield and American Dream Auto Protect offer plans that function similarly to factory warranties. These often include various levels of coverage, from basic powertrain protection to more comprehensive plans.
• Vehicle service contracts: Some dealers and third-party providers offer vehicle service contracts, which are similar to warranties but may have different terms and conditions. Always read the fine print carefully.
• Mechanical breakdown insurance (MBI): Offered by some insurance companies, MBI is an add-on to your auto insurance policy that covers repairs to major systems like the engine and transmission.
• Certified pre-owned (CPO) warranties: If you’re buying a used car from a dealership, consider a certified pre-owned vehicle. These often come with limited manufacturer-backed warranties.
• Repair savings account: If none of the options above seem worth the cost, consider setting aside money in a dedicated savings account for potential repairs.

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