When it comes to buying or selling a used car, several warranty questions can come to mind, including whether or not a factory warranty is transferable. A transferable warranty provides extra peace of mind to buyers, and sellers can use the active warranty as a selling point in private sales.
So does the factory new car warranty transfer to the next owner? Generally, the answer is yes.
What Is a Factory New Car Warranty?
A factory new car warranty is an agreement between the carmaker and car owner to financially protect the owner against a car’s defects within certain limitations. Those limitations can include the length of protection, specific components, etc.
The two most common warranties are the bumper-to-bumper warranty and the powertrain warranty. Some carmakers also issue a corrosion warranty and a roadside assistance warranty. The warranty coverage is only active during a fixed period, and ends after the number of stated years or miles, whichever comes first.
RELATED: Powertrain Warranty vs. Bumper-to-Bumper: What Is the Difference?
In order to use the factory warranty to pay for covered repairs , the vehicle must be brought to the service department of a franchised dealer of the model’s manufacturer. This means, if it’s a Ford, take it to a Ford dealer. If it’s a Subaru, take it to a Subaru dealer, and so forth. Depending on the exact warranty coverage, the work is completed free of charge to the car owner, though in some cases there may be a deductible.
However, there are a few exceptions to warranty coverage. You’ll want to read up on your exact warranty terms. Not properly maintaining the car or adding aftermarket components will sometimes nullify portions of the factory warranty.
Do Warranties Transfer to New Owners?
Yes, most factory new car warranties transfer to the new owner because they are tied to the vehicle identification number (VIN). The warranty is tied to the the car, rather than the owner.
When the new owner buys a used car, the car warranty is only active for whatever portion of the warranty remains. However, there’s an important catch: The warranty age limit begins on the in-service date instead of model year. For a 2025 model-year car with a 3-year/36,000-mile warranty sold in November of 2024, the clock begins ticking the minute the first owner takes possession. In this case, the warranty expires in November of 2027, if it hasn’t already exceeded 36,000 miles. Likewise, if the car dealership puts a new vehicle into service as a demo or a loaner, the warranty clock begins on the day it happens.
Transferring a warranty can sometimes cause the terms to change as well. While most manufacturers will transfer the original new car warranty to subsequent owners, Kia, Hyundai, Genesis, and Mitsubishi limit the terms. These four manufacturers offer a 10-year/100,000-miles powertrain warranty to new buyers, but reduce that to a 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty for used buyers. The exception is certified pre-owned (CPO) vehicles from these manufacturers, which do transfer the 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty. Always carefully check the manufacturer’s terms around warranty transfers before you purchase a used vehicle.
If having the coverage of the remaining factory warranty is essential to you, we suggest you call a dealership and provide the service department with the VIN. That way, you can determine exactly how much warranty remains.
Extended Warranties and CPO Warranties
Although we are covering factory-backed warranties here, it’s worth mentioning how extended and certified pre-owned warranties work when selling a car.
Extended warranties are typically offered by individual dealerships, rather than manufacturers. While these warranties are transferable, there is almost always a transfer fee. In the case of a factory new car warranty, the transfer is always free
In the case of CPO warranties, the warranty rules are similar to the factory new car warranty. We’ve found that manufacturer-certified pre-owned warranties usually transfer to a second owner. If you buy a car with a CPO warranty and resell it, any balance remaining of that warranty still covers the car under new ownership. Not all, but a few car makers will charge a fee to transfer the certified pre-owned warranty.
In some cases, the vehicle must be sold privately to a new owner in order to stay active.
Visit Autotrader’s Car Affordability Information Center for curated articles, resources, and tools to help you navigate the financial side of car ownership.
Related Articles:
- Powertrain Warranty vs. Bumper-to-Bumper: What Is the Difference?
- Should You Walk Away from a Used Car Extended Warranty?
- Do You Need to Service Your Car at the Dealership to Keep Your Warranty Valid?
Editor’s Note: We have updated this article since its initial publication. Russ Heaps contributed to this report.
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I bought a ’16 Nissan Rouge with 82,539 miles, Nissan placed an extended warranty for up to 84,000 on the power train because their CVT transmissions would go out. The dealership I bought it from did npt place anything in writting on the sales about the extnded warranty. Now not even 3 months later and 5,000 miles later the transmission is dead. Can this dealership be held responsible for not having the extended warranty information and fix the transmission?
I was told by a Honda dealer selling a 2020 Subaru STI with only 1200 miles, that the new car warranty would not transfer to me because the car is not being sold by an authorized Subaru dealer. is this correct?
I bought a 2015 Kia Optima from a dealership that is not Kia and I have only had it for exactly 1yr with 49,000 miles. Something has gone wrong with the engine and a mechanic told me it seems to be serious. Would I qualify for the 5yr/60,000 warranty as a second owner? And if so would I contact the dealership that sold me the car or Kia? This vehicle was involved in an accident prior to me buying the car.
check and see if theres a recall on it. i worked for a kia dealer and there is some engine issues
considering buying either a used 2017 Kia Niro or used 2017 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport. Do you know if the bumper to bumper warranties and the power train warranties will carry over in full or be reduced or possibly lost all together?
Niro will transfer 5-year 60,000 bumper warranty and a 5-year 60,000 powertrain
Wanting to buy a 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe XL Limited from a personal owner and he said that it has still under warranty as he bought 8 years /160,000 KM. In this case, he is wrong then it would be the 5 yrs 100,000 KM?
No. If he bought an extended Warranty, that can be transferred to you.
You’re incorrect, Kia’s powertrain warranty is the only one that is not transferrable, Hyundai’s is.
Sorry sir… you are incorrect. Please re-read his posting carefully. Quote “as he bought 8 years /160,000 KM” The owner bought an extended warranty, which is transferable to the next owner.
Wanting to buy a 2017 KIA from a small dealership they said that it was still under warrenty. 10yrs 100,000 miles. They are wrong then it would be the 5 yrs 60,000?
The CVT transmission is 10/120.
If the vehicle is CPO, 10-year 100,000 mile still applies from the date of original sale.
Has anyone else had any issues with Ford’s paintwork warranty? Have just spent the past 3 weeks trying to get their Customer Service team to honour the paint warranty. Took my 18 month old polar white fiesta to the local car wash and watched the paint flake off! Obviously, Ford UK won’t honour the warranty claiming using a jet wash on their cars causes ‘damage’, so isn’t covered under the warranty. Citizen’s Advice say that as the warranty is in legal terms like an added incentive or gift when the vehicle is first sold, my claim has to go bach through the trader I bought the car from. Obviously, the trader didn’t say any of that when I bought the vehicle – he just said everything would be covered under the warranty. Just wondered if anyone else has ever seen this and if they had found a way of getting past Ford’s incredibly unhelpful Customer Service Team. First time I’ve ever owned a Ford. I wouldn’t recommend it!
Ive purchased a Kia sportage, am I right in thinking that the powertrain 100 thousand/ 10 yr warranty dosent transfer with the car just a reduced 60 thousand/ 5yr cover?
That is correct.
I purchased the 10 yr./ 100k warranty on a 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport ….just used it as a trade in on a 2017 Chrysler…. only getting 26,000 mi., and 3 yrs., 5 months into it, am I able to get credit back? The Chrysler dealer said I could…still waitin* for the Hyundai dealer to call back….
You are entitled to a prorated refund for the unused portion of the warranty. If you don’t get satisfaction from the dealer, call Hyundai at the number on your contract.
So, with Hyundai the warranty of 100,000 miles is for only the original owner. This vehicle was leased by an individual for 2 years and turned in. Who would legally be the “first owner” if I were to purchase it? The argument can be made that Hyundai is the first owner so it won’t transfer over. But then again, on a showroom floor purchase, brand new, Hyundai once again is the first owner but yet you get the 10/100000 warranty……..???
Have you had any luck making that argument? I agree completely and are in exactly that situation.
The correct way to put it is that the 10yr/100k mi powertrain warranty is not transferable to the 2nd titled owner. When a car is brand new, it doesn’t have a title, it has an MSO. When that vehicle is sold, whether leased or purchase, the vehicle at that time gets a title put in the owners name. When a vehicle is leased, it’s leased with the bank being the owner, not the dealership. So when you buy the vehicle used, even after a lease, you’re still the 2nd titled owner and the powertrain warranty does not transfer.
I have a 2012 Velostar with knocking noises in the engine. I just bought the car 2 months ago at another dealer. If we have major engine problems should the warranty cover this?
I want to buy a 2016 Ford Focus with 45,000 miles on it. I would purchase it from fORD dEALER. wILL THE POWERTRAIN WARRANTY BE IN EFFECT FOR ME. tHIS WAS A RENTAL CAR PREVIOUSLY.
I purchased preowned Hyundai Sonata 2016 with 40000 miles on it and i can hear engine sound when it goes at 40 MPH and more, can this taken care in manufacturing warranty?
Looking to buy a 14 Honda Civic from a small dealership. The CARFAX says there is 15,997 miles left on the warranty, but 0 months. How likely is it that the warranty will transfer being that this is a small privately owned dealer who typically doesn’t offer warranties unless bought through a third party warranty provider and added to the note of the vehicle? Is there ever an extra charge to transfer the warranty or is it already factored in to the sale price?
Zero months is self-explanatory.
Sounds like the warranty expired (0 months), but you can always purchase an extended warranty.
I recently sold my VW GTI with 20600 miles with the factory warranty of (3yr/36k miles) remaining to a private owner. The factory warranty should transfer to the new owner without any further action. I attempted to contact the dealership and verify this but was directed to the VW carefree maintenance program. Has anyone been involved with paying a fee for transferring a factory warranty? Thanks.
I plan on buy 2016 dodge minivan from a private owner what
I am considering buying a 2015 MB slk 250 from a used car dealer. I am having trouble determining if the original factory warranty will still be enforce.
I have a 2014 ski 250 and my warranty is up 04/2018. So u have another year
I am purchasing a 2016 Nissan from a used car dealer that has 2200 miles on it. Do you think the new car warranty is still valid?
I am purchasing a 2016 Nissan from a used car dealer that has 2200 miles on it. Do you think the new car warranty is still valid?
So if I wanted to buy a 2010 Honda Sonata (private sale) and I’m the 3rd or 4th buyer, I couldn’t get the 5yr 60,000 mile warrenty unless I was the 2nd buyer. Is that correct?
Honda doen’t make a Sonata Hyundai does
We are looking at a 2014 Nissan NV from a private seller. They are the second owners and I’m wondering if the warranty will transfer to us, the 3rd owners.
I understand that the powertrain warranty reduces on a Kia but what about the standard warranty on other than the powertrain? I I buy one with 15,000 miles, is there warranty on it?
Just so I’m clear on this, I’m looking at buying a 2012 Kia Optima Hybrid. The warranty would be 5 years/60K miles from the date of my purchase?
It would be 5 year 60k from date of original owner purchase date which also is bumper to bumper
Purchased a 2013 Jeep Wrangler recently and found out that because it came to the US from Canada, the Chrysler factory warranty of 100,000/k miles would not be recognized (even though the car only had 27,000k on it). Dealer is now offering a service warranty, however, this is non-transferable.
What about IMA battery warranty on Hondas? Is it transferrable?
Can I sell a warranty, without selling my car?
so, if i purchase a 2014 Huyndai from a private seller, would the warranty only be 5 yr. 60,000. it only has 19,400 miles on it.
Correct. 10yr/100k miles only available to first owner.
But if you buy a CPO, the 10 years/100K miles warranty then yes is still valid to the new owner.
I bought a 2015 Hyundai. Is there a way to acquire an extension of the 60k power train insurance?
Deborah, I have just purchased a used 2013 Hyundai for my daughter and plan on covering it with a Platinum level extended warranty through IWS (Intercontinental Warranty Service). Google them and give them a call. If the car has fewer than 36,000 miles, they will be able to offer you an extended warranty that mirrors a new car warranty with NO deductible out to 100,000 miles. We purchased that coverage for my wife’s Santa Fe which we have owned since new and have peace of mind that her car will be covered for years to come. I hope this helps. I am not affiliated with IWS in any way, I just appreciate how they have treated me for the extended warranties I have purchased.
I have a CPO 2011 Lexus with 48k and the remaining warranty is for 22 months or 51k. Are there any dealers in Texas that will transfer the warranty value as a trade-in?
They probably won’t pay you the exact dollar amount, but wether you sell the car yourself or trade it in, that warranty makes the car worth a little more.