Car warranties specify what you may be entitled to and the process for making a claim if you discover a vehicle defect or fault after purchase.
New car warranties
Manufacturer's warranty
Most new cars come with a manufacturer's warranty covering faults or defects.
A manufacturer's warranty promises to repair product defects under specific conditions. It is a voluntary inclusion offered by the manufacturer to enhance the sale. If you discover a defect within the warranty period, you may have the right to repair without incurring any costs. Check what is included in the manufacturer’s warranty before purchasing the car.
The terms of your manufacturer's warranty will differ based on the manufacturer, but certain manufacturers provide warranties extending for up to five years or 100,000 kilometres.
Even if you don’t have a manufacturer’s warranty or if it has expired, you may still be entitled to claim for manufacturing defects or faults under the Australian Consumer Law (ACL).
Used car warranties
Statutory warranty
The Motor Vehicle Dealers Act’s statutory warranty exclusively covers used vehicles purchased from licensed dealers.
If you buy from a dealer, the dealer must give you an information statement about the statutory warranty, if any, that applies. The information statement contains important details about what is and is not covered by the statutory warranty.
The statutory warranty applies solely to cars priced at $4,000 or higher and motorcycles priced at $3,500 or higher, with added restrictions on age and the number of kilometres travelled at the time of sale.
| Age of Car purchase price $4,000 or higher | Kilometres travelled at time of sale | Warranty Entitlement |
|---|---|---|
| Not more than 10 years | Not more than 150,000 | 3 months or 5,000 km (whichever happens first) |
| More than 10 years but not more than 12 years | Between 150,000 and 180,000 | 1 month or 1,500 km (whichever happens first) |
| More than 12 years | More than 180,000 | No warranty |
| Age of Motor Cycle purchase price of $3,500 or higher | Kilometres travelled at time of sale | Warranty Entitlement |
|---|---|---|
| Not more than 8 years | Not more than 80,000 | 3 months or 5,000 km (whichever happens first) |
| More than 8 years | More than 80,000 | No warranty |
What it applies to
The statutory warranty applies to the following categories of second-hand cars purchased from a dealer:
- Passenger cars, including:
- Off-road passenger four-wheel drives (with two rows of seats);
- Station wagons and dual-cab utes (including four-wheel drives);
- Vans with a seating capacity of up to eight (8) individuals; and
- Campervans equipped with cooking and sleeping facilities.
- Passenger motorcycles:
- All types of passenger motorcycles.
What it does not apply to
The statutory warranty does not apply to the following second-hand vehicles when purchased from a dealer:
- Commercial vehicles primarily designed for transporting goods or materials;
- Utes with a single row of seats (well body and tray back);
- Trucks;
- Caravans;
- Off-road motorcycles not intended for passenger use;
- Multi-wheeled motorcycles (e.g., three or four wheelers); and
- Buses designed to accommodate more than nine individuals.
However, these vehicles are still protected by the Australian Consumer Law’s consumer guarantees.
What is not covered by warranty
Manufacturer and Statutory warranties do not usually cover:
- Routine services;
- Tune-ups; and
- Defects arising from an accident or misuse of the car.
Don't get taken for a ride - Used car buyer's checklist
Consumer Protection’s Don’t be taken for a ride – used car buyer’s checklist will help you ask the right questions of the seller and find out exactly what you’re buying before you drive away.