The Basic Used Car Warranties
The Used Car Warranty Law covers used cars purchased primarily for personal, family or household purposes. The terms and length of the warranty will depend upon the mileage on the car at the time you buy it. For cars with fewer than 36,000 miles, the warranty applies for 60 days or 2,500 miles, whichever comes first. The parts covered under the warranty for cars in this mileage range are:
Engine: all lubricated parts, intake manifolds, engine block, cylinder head, rotary engine housings, and ring gear.
Transmission: automatic transmission case, internal parts, and torque converter; or, manual transmission case and internal parts.
Drive axle: axle housings and internal parts, axle shafts, drive shafts, output shafts, and universal joints. (Secondary drive axles are covered on automobiles and passenger vans, but are not covered on other vehicles mounted
on a truck chassis, such as utility and off-road vehicles.)
Brakes: master cylinder, vacuum assist booster, wheel cylinders, hydraulic lines and fittings, and disc brake calipers.
Steering: steering gear housing and all internal parts, power steering pump, valve body, piston, and rack.
Water pump.
Externally-mounted mechanical fuel pump.
Radiator.
Alternator, generator, and starter.
For cars with between 36,000 and 75,000 miles, the warranty applies for 30 days or 1,000 miles, whichever comes first. For cars in this mileage range, the warranty covers the parts listed above, except for the following parts which are NOT covered:
Rack.
Radiator.
Alternator, generator, starter.
Parts are not covered under the used car warranty law if they are not specifically listed above.
Exclusions
Remember that the used car you buy might not be covered by the Used Car Warranty Law. The following cars are excluded from the law, and although a dealer may still choose to offer a warranty, these cars are usually sold "as is":
cars with 75,000 miles or more;
cars sold for less than $3,000;
custom-built cars, or cars modified for show or racing;
cars that are eight years of age or older;
cars purchased primarily for business or agricultural use;
vehicles with gross vehicle weight above 9,000 pounds;
vehicles manufactured in limited quantities;
vehicles not manufactured in accordance with federal emission standards; and,
diesel engine cars.
Salvaged Cars
Often times buyers are not aware that they are buying a rebuilt or salvaged car. Minnesota law requires car dealers to tell buyers if the car they're interested in buying has been branded as salvaged or rebuilt. The law requires that the title documents for salvaged cars receive a "brand," or a permanent written disclosure about an auto's prior salvage history. Don't be fooled by a freshly painted car.
