If you buy a new car, there's a warranty that goes with it. Typically, there's more than one type of warranty for your vehicle: a limited powertrain warranty that covers the engine, transmission, and drive components; and a bumper-to-bumper warranty that covers most everything else. BUT there are things neither warranty covers, and it's more than you think. Here are seven things that aren't covered by those new car warranties.
Window Glass
Glass is prone to breakage more easily than other components on the car, and windshield glass breakage is not covered. If you drive off the dealer lot and a rock chip nails your windshield, rendering it unsafe, you have to either pay out of pocket or file a claim with your insurance company. Caveats would be defects that caused the glass to crack without an external source like direct impact with an object or road hazard. And in those cases, it might get covered and replaced via a manufacturer recall.
Brake Pads and Rotors
Brake rotors and pads are classified as "wear and tear" items, and warranties won't cover them. Sure, they're components of the automobile you've purchased, but they're subject to wear no matter how conservative or how liberal you are with braking application. Now, if your brakes failed to function or seized up for other reasons that were mechanical in nature, the manufacturer warranty may cover it, but you would have to make a strong case for it.
Tires
Tires, just like brakes, are "wear and tear" items. Plus, they're not made by the manufacturer. Instead, manufacturers use tiremakers as suppliers, so any warranty would exist with the tire manufacturer if there was a defect like premature tread separation. If something goes wrong with your tires, the dealership or manufacturer wouldn't lift a finger to help you, typically.
Windshield Wipers
Just like tires and brakes, these are subject to regular wear and are therefore not covered by your warranty. They're factory installed, but the wiper manufacturer is a supplier and any such warranty on defects would have to be pursued at that level. Plus, it's not like you have the receipt that you bought them.
Bulbs
Bulbs these days can get expensive, especially if you have Xenon or LED bulbs, versus conventional halogens. If one burns out on you, even if you just bought the car, it's a wear and tear item that the warranty won't cover at all. The dealer will direct you to their parts department or your local Pep Boys to find a suitable replacement.
Modifications
Mods to your new car are fun and can enhance the performance of your automobile, but they also void the warranty. Let's say you just plunked down a couple of thousand to do cold air intakes with aluminum tubes, and you just had an engine problem. If you took it to your dealer's service department and they saw the modifications, you'd be out of luck. They likely wouldn't even work on your engine since you've made internal changes to its operation. It's smarter to wait until your warranty is over to make these performance changes.
Racing
Okay, so it's not a car component, but pretty much every car warranty from a manufacturer will be voided by racing your car. Language like, "warranty will not cover vehicles involved in racing, towing, or abuse or neglect" is widespread in the industry. If you put your car under the stresses of racing and break a tie rod or blow a piston, that's on you. But there are rare exceptions like high-performance cars such as the Chevy Corvette and the Acura NSX. These cars are meant to be driven on a track, and as long as they have not been modified (see above), the manufacturer will cover certain track-related car component issues, but you should always check before you track.
