Dealerships that offer "lifetime warranties" - legit or just marketing BS?

[Banzai]

I'm not singling out this dealer, but I came across this yesterday. Just wondering if any of you have come across this offer from another dealer and if you've been able to use it successfully for any repair work you needed.

Decatur Alabama Toyota Dealership | Serra Toyota of Decatur

 

[swampdodo]

No experience with those, but a local dealership here was offering something similar (power train only), but the stipulation was that you had to have it serviced at certain intervals AND you had to have it serviced at this dealership. If anyone else 'touches' it, it voids the lifetime warranty.

 

[gainman]

These are included through a third party.

Sent from my SM-N975U1 using Tapatalk

 

[Bumbo]

Always ask for the warranty coverage terms and conditions… it will vary based on the company offering the warranty, but there usually always some sort of fine print regarding coverage terms and limitations.

While I haven’t had a lifetime warranty, I have had extended warranty before and barely needed it.

While they might have a few cases which did not turn a profit, I’m guessing the rest more than cover those costs. It’s like insurance… these warranty companies have done the math, they wouldn’t be offering it if it didn’t turn a profit. Its that reason I wouldn’t call it BS, but more of a calculated risk on their end.

 

[Crikeymike]

I've seen it before. You just have to follow their rules exactly or they'll deny the extended claim. They may even try to go out of their way to say you did something wrong so that they don't have to fix or pay for a problem.

BUT, a lot of people do it, and if it's a dealer convenient to you, then you could go for it, depending on the price.

 

[Bumbo]

On a side note being on the topic of warranty… I bought a rim and tire warranty from Toyota on my 4Runner… and to be honest I had a little buyers remorse after the fact.

In 3 years I am on my 3rd tire already because I kept getting flats. It’s already more than paid for itself as they provided a new tire each time.

It really is a risk / reward thing because I have owned cars or trucks so 10+ years with little to no tire trouble. They bank on things like that, but I turned out to be a cost center for them.

 

[Banzai]

I understand what you guys are saying, but in the case of the dealer I linked to, their version of the lifetime warranty covers the engine, transmission, transaxle, transfer case, and drive axle.

$100 deductible per repair.

Warranty lasts as long as you own the vehicle - unlimited years, unlimited mileage.

Warranty is good anywhere in the US and Canada when serviced by an ASE certified technician.

It just seems overly lenient, which is the opposite of what I've come to expect with these sorts of things.

 

[Crikeymike]

I understand what you guys are saying, but in the case of the dealer I linked to, their version of the lifetime warranty covers the engine, transmission, transaxle, transfer case, and drive axle.

$100 deductible per repair.

Warranty lasts as long as you own the vehicle - unlimited years, unlimited mileage.

Warranty is good anywhere in the US and Canada when serviced by an ASE certified technician.

It just seems overly lenient, which is the opposite of what I've come to expect with these sorts of things.

I used to live about 45 mins away from there, and I just remembered that it's that dealer that would give lifetime oil changes and tires if you bought a car from them. I had a friend years ago that bought a Tundra from them. He had to go back there to do the oil for free, and always did, and kept the truck for at least 10 years, and never had an issue.

I guess they're also factoring in that it's not likely you'll have a problem with a brand new Toyota for a really long time, and also they would have stats on how long the average buyer keeps a new vehicle for anyway.

 

[Bumbo]

I understand what you guys are saying, but in the case of the dealer I linked to, their version of the lifetime warranty covers the engine, transmission, transaxle, transfer case, and drive axle.

$100 deductible per repair.

Warranty lasts as long as you own the vehicle - unlimited years, unlimited mileage.

Warranty is good anywhere in the US and Canada when serviced by an ASE certified technician.

It just seems overly lenient, which is the opposite of what I've come to expect with these sorts of things.

I still don’t think its "overly lenient"… at least when talking about our Toyota trucks.

I have a 2004 4th gen with over 200k miles on it. The entire motor and drive line for the most part has been pretty damn trouble free. The only reason I still own it is because it’s my off-road toy. I already bought something else to replace it as a daily driver. Most “normal” people would have probably let it go when they decide to buy something else.

I bet my bottom dollar that they are banking on people changing their cars before getting to a stage where they have to shell out big money on repairs. Again, I guarantee the math supports this in their favor otherwise they wouldn’t be doing it. The second you let that truck go, they are off the hook. Maybe occasionally they get some odd-ball case like myself, but it’s still a calculated risk that makes them money.

 

[Lester Lugnut]

It just seems overly lenient, which is the opposite of what I've come to expect with these sorts of things.

That means the warranty is not worth the paper it's written on.

Check out the comment in post #5 above. I'll include it here in bold:

They may even try to go out of their way to say you did something wrong so that they don't have to fix or pay for a problem.

 

[Vwright14]

They usually require you to bring the vehicle back to THAT dealership for all oil changes, services, tires rotations and etc etc. Some of them also state that during a gross failure like engine, trans or rear end they may used USED parts with miles close to yours. If the tires are under Lifetime warranty ive seen where they use the cheapest tire they can fine. Fortunately because of the business I'm in I never go back to the dealer for anything BUT warranty work.

 

[jrm]

i worked for one of those 3rd party extended warranty businesses. Its more of a swindle then anything b/c the chances of them actually paying out shit is really slim and when there faced with a legit claim theyll try to mitigate their liability and if they cant do that they go bankrupt like the company i worked for did..

 

[ArmyGreenPro]

Mopar did this for awhile till they realized it was not cost effective. I did have one on an old Ram truck of mine, just make sure you look at coverage and deductibles.

 

[seasonda]

It depends on the dealer.

 

[Muzzle of Bees]

Always ask for the warranty coverage terms and conditions… it will vary based on the company offering the warranty, but there usually always some sort of fine print regarding coverage terms and limitations.

While I haven’t had a lifetime warranty, I have had extended warranty before and barely needed it.

While they might have a few cases which did not turn a profit, I’m guessing the rest more than cover those costs. It’s like insurance… these warranty companies have done the math, they wouldn’t be offering it if it didn’t turn a profit. Its that reason I wouldn’t call it BS, but more of a calculated risk on their end.

No point in asking, they want a sale. I would not ever consider an extent extended warranty.

 

[eightysixIT]

I'm not singling out this dealer, but I came across this yesterday. Just wondering if any of you have come across this offer from another dealer and if you've been able to use it successfully for any repair work you needed.

Decatur Alabama Toyota Dealership | Serra Toyota of Decatur

They are legit at my dealer, they only offer them on select brands. (The ones that don’t break)
You must show records of maintenance otherwise they deny your claim. Most important maintenance they look for are fluid changes, FILTERS, and factory maintenance(schedule)

 

[Bumbo]

No point in asking, they want a sale. I would not ever consider an extent extended warranty.

For me it really depends on the brand and car. I would not consider buying one on a Toyota, but I would on some other things I have been looking at.

 

[mesooohoppy]

OP, you should to read the terms in its entirety before you commit to something like that.

im sure there are certain clauses in the warranty that get them off the hook. the first three that come to mind are:
-being very specific where you can take it to have it serviced; and if you take it to an unapproved dealer, they will say you didnt hold up your end of the deal. not to mention doing all of the maintenance on time and not past the prescribed mileage.
-no offroading (id be willing to bet the definition for 'off roading' is incredibly broad in the clause, allowing much more discretion on their end)
-reserving the right to terminate the warranty at any time at their discretion.

 

[Ripper238]

A dealer giving a life time warranty he wants you to fell all warm and toasty inside. But in reality that warranty only covers manufacturer defects and how many 4 Runners have manufacturer defects? Not many.

 

[eightysixIT]

A dealer giving a life time warranty he wants you to fell all warm and toasty inside. But in reality that warranty only covers manufacturer defects and how many 4 Runners have manufacturer defects? Not many.

It’s more peace of mind than anything.
I will say there’s a difference between the lifetime warranty and the extended warranty.
We use extended warranty at my dealer every day.
I need to find out more information on the lifetime warranty I purchased...