GM to BMW and Mercedes. Branding a product gives it more credibility inthe eyes of the average consumer. This isn’t a knock on these programs—
just a caution not to assume that the one a franchise dealer offers is betterthan one without a car company’s name on it.
The coverage that comes with many certified vehicles usually hasexclusions in the coverage on parts that the manufacturer knows are high (^)
failure rate, such as navigation systems. And many cannot be cancelled (orresold) for a prorated refund.
PERSONAL EXPERIENCES & BENEFITS
In the mid ‘90s I bought my dream car: a 1991 Infiniti Q45. It was ranked asthe second most reliable car made that year by JD Power in initial quality,
and I’d never had a Japanese car give me much trouble before. Based onthese factors, I didn’t think I’d need the covered provided by an extended
warranty or service contract. But the manager at the brokerage I worked fortold me I really might, and knowing I could get a prorated refund if I
changed my mind, I agreed to purchase one. It’s a good thing, too; theproblems began about six months in: fuel injectors and fuel line leaks,
window regulators breaking, the climate control head that managed theheat and air conditioning failing—you name it. In the time I had it, the
repairs totaled over $10,000!
I kept the Q45 for a couple years anyway, as I loved driving it, and it wascovered till 100,000 miles. But I wasn’t brave enough to keep it after the
contract expired, so I sold it with some remaining coverage, making it quiteeasy. There’s simply no way I could have budgeted to keep it on the road in (^)
good condition without that service contract.