Volvo Warranty Coverage | Autance

Coverage Basics of the Volvo Warranty

All new Volvo cars come with two primary warranties along with a few additional coverages and perks thrown into the mix.

Bumper-to-Bumper

The main core of the new Volvo warranty coverage is the comprehensive coverage that covers nearly everything on a vehicle. Lasting four years or 50,000 miles, the factory warranty is long enough to cover a vehicle during the period where factory defects are most likely to plague the vehicle. As a result, you can expect to take advantage of this warranty coverage if there is actually something wrong with the vehicle from the factory.

The bumper-to-bumper warranty covers nearly everything except for wear items (like brake pads) and a few specific systems. There is actually a lot of overlap with the powertrain coverage, so you’ll find parts like the engine, transmission, and drivetrain mixed with navigation, climate control, and other interior systems. The warranty offers complete part replacements if the issue is caused by a factory defect.

Powertrain

Beyond the bumper-to-bumper warranty, the other primary component of the Volvo factory warranty is the powertrain coverage. Unlike the comprehensive coverage, the powertrain warranty is focused on just a few specific components that keep the car running. As a result, the list of included parts is much shorter than the other coverage that has an exclusionary list.

Lasting four years or 50,000 miles, the powertrain warranty is actually the same length as the bumper-to-bumper coverage, meaning they will expire at the same time. Engine, transmission, and drivetrain components are all covered by this warranty, so there is good money-saving value here with more expensive component replacements.

Extras

In addition to the two primary coverages, the Volvo warranty also includes as few extra perks and coverages. For additional peace of mind on the components, there are several additions like an anti-perforation and rust warranty. More notably, there is a maintenance program that offers basic service at 10,000, 20,000, and 30,000 miles for free by a qualified mechanic at a local Volvo dealership.

The main extra perk comes in the form of a 24/7 roadside assistance program that provides basic roadside services in case of an emergency. Services include free towing, car rental reimbursement, mapping and navigation help, and more. Like the main warranty, most of these services only apply when you are stranded on the road by a factory defect,

Things Left Out of the Volvo Warranty

Despite the few standout features of the Volvo limited factory warranty, there are a few drawbacks to consider as well.

Incidental Damage

Factory warranties are limited in the scope of damage they cover, meaning there needs to be a specific cause of damage to get the money-saving help from the coverage. This manufacturer’s warranty only covers manufacturing defects caused by poor materials or workmanship at the factory itself. If it’s not the mistake of the automaker, it won’t be covered.

This leaves out a lot of different common sources of issues and damage. For example, accidental and unintentional damage won’t be covered. Other forms of unexpected issues, like vandalism-related damage, also fall outside of the scope of the warranty coverage.

Perks of the Volvo Warranty

There is a lot to like about the Volvo new car warranty compared to other automaker coverages on the market today. The overall warranty coverage offers a lot of value and a little extra service length, but the extra perks are really where it shines above some competitors. 

The main perk, roadside assistance, has a good combination of emergency and convenience services to get you out of a bind while traveling. While some companies offer this service as an added cost or part of an extra protection plan, Volvo includes it as a standard perk. It also combines a lot of standard trip interruption programs as well.

The other real winner of the Volvo coverage is the included maintenance program. As a source of some costly expenses, it can be easy to watch your wallet get drained periodically when your vehicle needs some routine attention. Such a maintenance program lessens this impact and keeps the vehicle in the factory-recommended maintenance schedule at the same time.

Disadvantages of the Volvo Warranty

The main drawback of the Volvo warranty is how the company has structured the bumper-to-bumper and powertrain warranties. Most companies have coverages that are staggered, with the powertrain warranty typically lasting longer than the comprehensive coverage. Volvo has made the lengths of the two coverages the same, so you will likely need a Volvo extended warranty or a third-party option sooner than with some competitors. 

The lack of incidental damage coverage, while standard, is also a drawback. Factory defects should be few and far between, so you won’t be able to take advantage of the warranty to a large extent unless you happen to buy a lemon of a new car. A Volvo increased protection plan, an extended labor warranty, or some other kind of vehicle service contract will be needed to include additional damage coverage. 

Takeaway Value

The Volvo factory warranty, while including some of the same drawbacks as other automaker coverages, has a lot to offer. The inclusion of a maintenance program alone is worth learning more about the warranty if you are interested in buying a car at your local Volvo dealer.