NCCC has received numerous complaints over the years regarding vehicle warranties and warranty service. While following up on a complaint NCCC spoke with George Leggett of the Consumer Protection Division of the Attorney General’s Office in Raleigh. He expressed many concerns as to the misconceptions consumers commonly make about cars.

Misconceptions:

FACT: There are NO used vehicle lemon laws in the state of North Carolina.
If you have purchased a USED vehicle, you may NEVER petition a manufacturer to classify your vehicle as a 'lemon' in North Carolina. This right is solely reserved for the original purchaser of the vehicle. NCCC believes the law should be changed to qualify used vehicles. There is, however, the Magnuson-Moss Federal Warranty Act that may be used in some cases to conform a vehicle to the warranty.

FACT: 'As is' means AS IS.
A vehicle that is marked 'as is' does not have ANY warranty. You have no legal right to a free replacement if a part fails right after you purchase it. The only time you have a warranty is if it is documented in the paperwork. (You do have some legal recourse. If the seller fails to disclose hidden damage, etc, you have some legal rights. Contact an attorney or the Consumer Protection Division.)

FACT: You do NOT have 3 days to return a vehicle.
Consumers seem to think they have at least 3 days to return a vehicle if they decide they do not want it. Truth is, unless it is stated in writing that you have the option to return the vehicle, that vehicle is yours the minute you sign the paperwork. Some dealers offer policies in which you may return a car, such as Saturn, who at the time of this article offers 30 days or 1000 miles to return a vehicle. However, most do not. Check to see if you can return the car before you purchase it. As always, get it in writing.

Proper Maintenance:

Some other items you should remember too: Proper maintenance is ESSENTIAL to your vehicles warranty. If you fail to perform your oil changes and the engine fails as a result, the warranty will not cover the repair. Follow your vehicle's recommended maintenance schedule to make your vehicle and warranty claim experiences as problem-free as possible. Make sure they are done at the proper time and mileage intervals and that you keep receipts. If you do your own maintenance work, make sure you keep a separate receipt for items such as filters and fluids. If you have a used vehicle and do not know the maintenance history, remember this piece of advice: When in doubt, change it out. If you can’t remember or don’t know the last time a maintenance item was performed, it’s time to do it.

Third-Party Extended Warranties vs. Manufacturer Extended Warranties:

NCCC also researched third party warranties versus manufacturer extended warranties and have concluded that third party warranties are generally less reliable and harder to enforce. Consumers generally have a harder time making claims with third-party warranties. The manufacturer is also less stringent about maintenance records and receipts because it wants to keep you as a future customer.

Make sure you understand exactly what is and what is not covered by your extended warranty. Maintenance parts, such as filters, are NOT covered. Tires are generally not covered. Interior trim, such as seats, moldings, and carpeting are usually not covered. Exterior trim, such as headlights and taillights, body parts and glass is usually not covered.

Since most new cars these days are built to last a lot longer than their predecessors, chances are you will never need an extended warranty. If by some chance you do, the total cost to repair usually comes to be less than the total cost of the warranty after financing.

Whether you chose to buy a manufacturer's extended warranty, a third party extended warranty, or no warranty at all, we have the following advice to give: never assume anything about your purchase. Make sure anything promised to you is in writing.

NCCC has generally recommended against purchasing extended vehicle warranties.