Used- Car Warranties

If the franchise dealer offers a warranty and it actually covers a substantial number of items, your risk is usually moderate to low. (Please note, however, that you will want to examine the warranty carefully and be sure that you understand exactly what's covered and for how long.)

With few exceptions (and the current used-car warranty offered by Mercedes-Benz might be one of those exceptions) you don't want to trust the current condition of the car to the future protection of the warranty. We urge you to protect yourself further by performing the inspections outlined later in this segment. Keep this in mind: A used car that at the time of purchase checks out to be in excellent condition can develop problems down the road. That's even true with a new car. The mistake most people make is that they fail to fully inspect a used car before the purchase.You will find that most used cars come as is or with a 30- to 90-day warranty.

as Is
As is means that you're taking the car as is and that if it should fall apart the moment you get home, that's your problem, not the dealer's.

Full Factory Warranty
In recent years Mercedes-Benz has been offering a two-year factorybacked warranty with unlimited mileage that is almost as complete in its coverage as their new-car warranty. Once you get beyond Mercedes and one or two other luxury manufacturers, the warranties become a lot less attractive.

30-, 60-, 90-Day 100-Percent Mechanical Warranty
This is probably the best you can hope for with most used cars. It covers the mechanical parts in your car.

30-, 60-, 90-Day Or!" Train Warranty
This warranty covers the engine, transmission, rear axle, and nothing more. Some of these warranties come on a fifty-fifty basis, and you should refuse to accept these.

Fifty-Fifty Warranties
Often dealers offer to split any repairs for a period of 30, 60, or 90 alays. Trouble is, they are the ones who set the prices, and you have no idea whether the repair invoice is the true cost of the repair or if you are actually paying the total bill.Another variation calls for them to pay for parts and you pay for labor. Surprise! The labor is usually higher when it comes to this type of warranty.

Repairs at Cost
Oh, please! Whose cost? And how do you know the time, labor, and !)arts were actually performed? You don't. Forget this type of warranty.

lmplied Warranties
More and more states are passing laws that say a buyer can reasonably -zpect the car-or for that matter, any item you purchase-to perform as designed for a reasonable amount of time without undue problems or expense. You may want to check with your local motor-vehicle authorities to get the specifics of the implied warranty in your state.