Avoid the hassle: How to use your manufacturer warranty during a breakdown

If you are a new car owner, then you might have heard the dealership guy telling you about the manufacturer’s warranty your car enjoys and all the amazing benefits it brings along. Or maybe you don’,t due to lack of attention or too much info to take in and remember. Don’t worry; here we are to brush up your memory and explain this useful tool in easy and simple words.

In the Philippines, when a car under warranty breaks down, specific regulations and procedures must be followed. Therefore, we have curated a comprehensive guide to help you navigate the entire process with ease, ensure you don’t miss out on any perks, and avoid making any mistakes that will void the warranty.

So, let’s get started and understand the world of car warranties in detail.

What is a car warranty?

Car manufacturers provide a guarantee with the vehicles, referred to as a car warranty. It covers the repair and replacement cost if something goes wrong due to the manufacturer’s defect or quality error, however, under certain conditions and with limitations. Often, the warranty factors in the mileage and number of years a vehicle is driven.

In the Philippines, cars usually have a warranty period of three years. However, some car manufacturers are extending customer service by offering a five-year warranty on particular models.

Are you wondering when the warranty period begins? The warranty period for a car commences on the date of delivery to the customer.

Overall, a car warranty is an added layer of protection on your investment.

Types of car warranties

In the Philippines, car warranties usually fall into the following categories -

Car warranty type	Definition
Factory warranty	It covers parts at fault due to poor workmanship or manufacturer's error.
Bumper-to-Bumper warranty	Most comprehensive warranty that covers most of the car’s components from the front bumper to the back.
Corrosion warranty	It covers corrosion and rust damage to the car’s body. It is quite significant in the Philippines where rain and humidity are quite common.
Powertrain warranty	It covers vital components like the engine, transmission, and drive system.
Emission warranty	Designed to ensure the car meets the standard emission laws; it covers components of the emission control system.
Extended warranty	It is purchased separately to prolong the coverage of the standard car warranty. It can either provide the same coverage as the original warranty or have some limitations.
Roadside assistance	Not a traditional warranty, it accompanies a new car with road assistance services like towing, tire change, and other emergency services.
Battery warranty	A separate warranty for the car’s battery; is often shorter in duration compared to the primary car warranty.
Hybrid warranty	It covers an EV’s battery and related components.
OEM accessories warranty	Some manufacturers offer a separate warranty on some items found in the vehicle like the air-con system and the initial tires and battery fitted at the time of release.

Car breakdown & warranty: Initial steps to follow

Step 1: Check warranty duration

Now that your car has given up due to some issue that you aren’t able to figure out, it is time to plan your next move to make things right. If your car is comparatively new (like 2 to 4 years), we’d suggest first checking its warranty period. In the Philippines, a car’s warranty begins from the date of purchase and extends beyond a certain period or mileage, depending on the manufacturer. You can check the car’s warranty timeline on the purchase documents or consult the user's manual.

Step 2: Contact the manufacturer

If your car is still under the warranty, congratulations, there’s hope for free repair and replacement service by the manufacturer. To avail of the benefits, reach out to the manufacturer or the authorised dealer. Here, you will find the best guidance and assistance on the matter.

Step 3: Visit an authorised dealer

Bring in your broken-down car to the authorised dealer, as here it will get inspected to determine the main cause of the problem. Here, trained technicians will assess the issue and establish whether or not it is covered under warranty.

Step 4: Inspection/Evaluation

Trained technicians will inspect the issue thoroughly, and if the cause is within the warranty’s scope, meaning not a single money spent on repair. Next, the specific parts will be ordered, and of course, you’ll be informed about the issue, repair work, and timeline. The repair will commence with no financial burden falling upon the owner. True peace of mind for the owner.

Step 5: Ask for alternative transportation

Some car manufacturers will also offer/arrange a rental car for the time being while the repair work is underway. Thus ensuring the customers don’t suffer because of an error at the manufacturer’s end.

Car breakdown & warranty: Process at manufacturer’s end

It is smart to know what goes on behind the scenes once you drop your car off at the authorised dealer.

Step 1: Technical assessment

After the car reaches the manufacturer’s service centre, it is sent for a detailed examination. Skilled technicians inspect the issue and find the root cause of the breakdown.

Step 2: Repair covered or not under warranty

Once the exact cause is determined, it is then checked whether or not it is covered under the car warranty. If yes, the car will be repaired promptly, free of charge. If not, you will have to bear the repair expense. Here, the importance of understanding the scope of warranty comes in. Read this article till the end, and you’ll be an expert on the subject.

Step 3: Car handover

You’ll be notified by the manufacturer once the repair work is completed and your car is good to go.

Tips to ensure a smooth warranty claim process

• Maintain a detailed record: It is very important to maintain a well-organised record of your car’s maintenance activities. Why? This data will be a testament to your care for your vehicle, thus demonstrating that the breakdown was not due to neglect on your end.
• Be patient: Warranty claims take time, so don’t try and hurry up the process, however, you can always take updates. The thing is, the manufacturer will first detect the issue, work on the solution, order necessary parts, and appoint skilled technicians for job completion; all this to ensure quality workmanship, which takes its sweet time.

Car warranty: Coverage & non-coverage

When talking about car warranties, it is important to discuss the coverage scope. It will help you prepare your expenses in a much more efficient manner.

Car Warranty
Covered	Not covered
Engine components like engine block, cylinder heads, valves, timing gear, oil pump, water pump, fuel pump	Any damage resulting from or related to petroleum products
Transmission (internal parts) & drivetrain (driveshaft & constant velocity joints)	Damage from participation in a race, rally, or competition
Electric systems like the alternator, starter motors, electronic ignition system	Use of vehicle as taxi or rental unit
Brake components like the master cylinder, wheel cylinder	Use of vehicle beyond the specified limitations
Suspension & steering systems like steering pumps	Use of non-genuine parts or wrong fuel, lubricants, or fluid
Emission components like oxygen sensors and catalytic converter	Corrosion or deterioration due to rusting or aging
Fuel system including fuel injectors, fuel tank, and fuel pump	Unusual noises or vibrations that do not hamper the car’s performance or function
Air conditioning & cooling systems like compressors and condensers	Modification is done with non-genuine parts causing issues
An electrical system like the starter motor, alternator, and electronic ignition system	Cars not registered with the LTO
	Damage caused by fire, theft, accident, vandalism
	Damage incurred due to improper storage or transport
	Car damage is caused due to natural phenomena like floods, typhoons, and earthquakes.

 

Car warranty: When is it void

A car’s warranty is never totally void, as some policies carry a per-part or per-system basis. Meaning each system may carry its own individual set of warranties, depending on the policy. For example, if an owner modifies a particular part in his/her car, that would not mean that the general vehicle warranty will be fully void.

Bottom line

With the right knowledge and information, a car owner in the Philippines can easily navigate the car breakdown journey under warranty. Car makers these days are using car warranties as an attractive selling point because who wouldn’t like free repair from well-trained and experienced company professionals? However, one must avoid any menace that could void the car’s warranty.

Also Read: New year, same ride: Fresh car care habits for 2025