Probably you have received a motor vehicle service notification pink postcard informing you that your extended vehicle warranty is about to expire and you need to call a certain number to have the warranty activated. The motor vehicle service notification also warns that failure to renew the warranty means you are, in effect, assuming responsibility for settling all the bills for repairs.
The motor vehicle service notification record id has your motor vehicle registration and service history. If you call the provided toll-free number, they will help you ensure you continue to enjoy optimal protection and operation.
The notification may come from the vehicle’s factory manufacturer and has all the right language that will make anyone believe the notification is real. But do you ignore the notification with the consequences it states?
What Does Motor Vehicle Service Notification Mean? Postcard or letter?
A motor vehicle service notification is a direct communication from your factory manufacturer via a letter or motor vehicle service notification pink postcard concerning the status of your warranty. It may advise you that from their records, your warranty and the protections you enjoy are about to expire, and you need to update it to continue enjoying those same protections.
The letter or postcard contains the right information regarding your vehicle model and makes to convince you. At first glance, the letter or postcard looks real and has all indications it came from your factory manufacturer or dealership. Some notifications bear the logo and seal of the Department of Motor Vehicles.
However, as the motor vehicle owner, be cautious and scrutinize the notification to ensure that it actually comes from your factory manufacturer. Vehicle owners can refuse the extension if it’s in their best interest.
However, don’t rush the decision, as it may have detrimental effects on your savings if you are wrong. So, how do you know the notification is real?
Paperwork
Always keep the motor vehicle paperwork from the factory manufacturer. The paperwork contains specification details and other features of the car, including mileage or years. In most cases, the stated mileage for the warranty is 50,000 miles per 5 years. This means that if you hit the 50,000 miles mark or after driving for 5 years from the purchase date, the warranty becomes void.
To continue enjoying the protections, buy an extended warranty. Most people don’t buy an extended warranty as it is cheaper for them to just pay for the repairs after their original warranty expires.
Company name given
A legitimate notification will have all the company details. If the postcard does not bear a company name, then you are dealing with a scam. It’s easy to know if you have your factory warranty; just compare the information on it with the one on the postcard notification.
Legitimate notification
To know if you are receiving a legitimate notification, examine your original paperwork and compare it with the letter or postcard notification you have received. Everything should match, including toll-free phone numbers to call to extend your warranty.
Carefully go through the letter or postcard to ensure you are not accepting a warranty from a different party other than your original vehicle factory manufacturer. Everything should match, including a watermark, if any, and payment details.
Pick up your phone and call the toll-free phone number given on the original paperwork to verify that they are the ones who sent the notification. If they deny sending the letter or postcard, then you are dealing with a scam.
Motor Vehicle Service Notification Scam? Is It A Scam or Legit?
It depends on how you look at it. There is a legitimate notification from your vehicle manufacturer or dealership, and of course, there is a scam one from other companies that sell car warranties.
Some dealerships sell customer information to third-party warranty companies. So, the origin of the notification is what you need to investigate to know if you are being scammed or you are getting one from your vehicle manufacturer.
A legitimate motor vehicle service notification will check all the boxes:
- Sent when your current factory warranty is about to expire or expired
- Use the legitimate company name and phone number
- Have professional customer care agents treat you with courtesy
- The notification has legitimate previous vehicle service records
- Notification sent from the company’s known location and not a different state
Most customers don’t consider extended warranty protection, particularly if they don’t plan on keeping the vehicle for long. This makes great sense, but if you are planning on keeping the car for heavy use or over 10 years, then consider it. The warranty covers basic maintenance services like motor oil changes, brake noise, AC not performing, and steering noise.
A scam notification will bombard you almost after every two months, and you can receive it from different companies, all with genuine wording to convince you to extend the warranty. It may be a letter or postcard for a vehicle you don’t own.
What Are the Red Flags To Look for in a Vehicle Service Notification Scam?
Bogus account activity
Check the backside of the motor vehicle service notification letter. You will see the account activity that lists bogus repairs, adding up to thousands of dollars. The notification will claim that you won’t have to pay a dollar if you have them. In a real sense, your vehicle may have no such repairs or hasn’t gone for such repairs since you bought it. This is a red flag that you are dealing with a scam company that wants your money.
You haven’t exceeded the stated mileage and years.
Sometimes, it’s ridiculous to receive a motor vehicle service notification informing you of the need to extend your warranty as it’s about to expire when you haven’t clocked the stated 50,000 mileage or the car hasn’t lapsed 5 years from the purchase date. Maybe your mileage reads 3,000 and has been using the car for the past 2 years. Legally, the vehicle is still under the factory warranty.
This notification clearly shows that they want your money and know little about your mileage or vehicle details. Ignore the notification because it’s a scam.
Different phone numbers
Little details like a phone number can save you from throwing your money into scams. An original car dealer or vehicle manufacturer notification will have the same phone number you can get on their website or the paperwork you received from the manufacturer.
If the phone number is different, use the one from the paperwork or the manufacturer’s toll-free number on their website to contact them inquiring about the notification. Explain the nature of your call and the notification you have received. If the vehicle manufacturer denies knowledge of such notification and tells you it’s a scam, discard the postcard or letter notification sent to your mailbox.
Dealership denies knowledge
Contact your dealership and tell them about the service notification. If the dealership denies knowledge of the letter or postcard, you are dealing with a scam. Also, check that the phone number is the same as the one for your dealership. If it’s different, you are dealing with a scam company. If the phone number is the same, and the dealership explains they sent the notification, then you can look at it and extend the warranty if you deem fit.
Do You Need to Buy a Service Contract?
Ordinarily, you don’t need to buy an extended warranty after buying a car and it is not a requirement that you sign one with your dealer if you bought the vehicle through financing.
If your dealer agrees you need the contract, call your lender and confirm if that’s true. Don’t be naïve like other buyers who didn’t cancel the warranty or contract after knowing that it’s not a requirement.
Also, be on guard against dishonest dealerships who may sneak in a service contract without your knowledge. Ask the dealer the moment you notice a fee for a service warranty or contract you didn’t ask for, and ensure to remove it before signing your loan document.
What is a Vehicle Warranty Expiration Notice?
It’s a letter or postcard notice informing you that your factory warranty is expiring or has already expired after exceeding the age and mileage covered by the warranty. In case the actual records may show that you haven’t exceeded the warranty coverage terms, it means you are dealing with a scam.
A legitimate vehicle warranty expiration notice has your basic information, including years and miles. The warranty covers basic vehicle components and lasts from 3 to 5 years or 36,000 – 60,000 miles, depending on which one comes first. The warranty notice bears the original price of the vehicle.
Why am I getting car warranty calls?
If your factory warranty is expiring, you will receive car warranty calls. The calls try to convince you to extend the vehicle service warranty for more protection. The caller may have your personal and car information, such as the type and model of the car you drive.
You may also receive calls from scammers posing as legit representatives of your factory manufacturer or car dealer informing you of your impending warranty expiration.
The call includes a service pitch to convince you to renew or extend the warranty or policy. Ignore calls that are not from your car dealer or auto warranty company. Ignore calls from unfamiliar area codes.
Who are auto warranty services?
This is a company, dealer, or auto manufacturer offering warranty or service contracts for protections like vehicle repairs and service. Sometimes they send you letters and postcards or call to extend your auto service warranty.
How do warranty companies get my information?
Most third-party warranty companies combine your personal information, like address and the vehicle, with publicly available mailing lists to get your phone number and name. They do the same for other car owners, for all whose vehicles are nearing the end of their factory warranties.
Some third-party warranty companies liaise with car salesmen and auto dealers to get your personal information when you buy a car. This is an ongoing repetitive process that catches many car owners unaware.
Are vehicle service contracts worth it?
Vehicle service contracts cover certain auto repair costs when the factory warranty expires. However, it’s not for everyone as they have a high price tag and don’t cover everything. Also, most people who buy them don’t use them, which makes them a financial burden.
According to a survey by consumer report, 55 percent of respondents who bought a vehicle service contract didn’t use it, with only a quarter of the respondents saying they would buy a vehicle service contract again.
What is a good extended car warranty company?
Endurance offers the best extended car warranty. All your letters and postcards are sent from the Endurance Vehicle notification department. The company has over 10 years of service experience and the best A-rated insurance – AM.
How do I stop car warranty calls?
Note down the phone number of the robocall and block it using the phone carrier blocking tools. FCC now requires all phone carriers to add robocall blockers by default. Check the service your carrier uses or has added to your service account.
If they call your iPhone, use the silence unknown calls feature to take care of the robocalls.
Final Words
You can receive a motor vehicle service notification in the mail informing you to extend your vehicle service contract to keep your protection. Honda car owners will get a legitimate Honda vehicle notification from the manufacturer with a known address and phone number.
Always check the details to avoid being scammed by third-party warranty companies. A vehicle service contract is a service agreement program that covers certain repair costs like battery problems, engine knocking, car sensors, and fuel indicator service among others.
The factory warranty expiry is on your motor vehicle registration. Car owners have the ultimate say on whether to extend their warranty. Contact us if you need clarification.
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