If you buy a new or used Honda Odyssey minivan, you should consider what you will do about needed repairs after the manufacturer's warranty runs out. You can purchase Honda Odyssey extended warranties from any Honda dealership. Extended warranty plans are also available from aftermarket companies.
Do You Need an Extended Warranty?
To help you decide if you need an extended warranty or service contract, it helps to understand the basic warranty. The Honda Company offers a manufacturer warranty for all new Honda Odysseys that includes the following:
- Bumper-to-bumper coverage for three years or 36,000 miles
- Powertrain warranty for five years or 60,000 miles
- Corrosion warranty for five years and unlimited miles
- Accessory warranty for all purchased Honda accessories for up to three years or 36,000 miles
This base warranty does not cover wear and tear items like brakes, oil changes, or tires. The bumper-to-bumper warranty will cover all parts or accessories on your minivan. The powertrain warranty covers what makes your minivan run, such as engine and transmission parts. If you plan on keeping the minivan for only a few years, you may want to skip the extended warranty. If the minivan is a vehicle you intend to keep for some time, extended warranties are sometimes worth their price.
Where to Buy Them
All Honda dealerships offer the Honda Care extended warranty. When you purchase that new or used Honda Odyssey, you can include the cost of the warranty in your financing right at the time of purchase. Doing this only increases your monthly payment by a few dollars. You can also buy extended warranties through the following companies:
- Extended Auto Warranties is an online source for purchasing aftermarket warranties for all makes and models. This website promises a 60% savings on all extended warranties no matter what make or model you have.
- Paragon Motor Club also offers aftermarket warranties online. They will send you a free email quote first before you buy.
- Auto Protection offers information about extended warranties. The site also allows you to purchase an extended warranty for a Honda Odyssey, among other vehicles.
Honda Care vs. Aftermarket Extended Warranties
If you purchase the Honda Care extended warranty, you can be sure of two things: your vehicle will be repaired by a factory-trained technician, and the repair will utilize Honda parts. When your repairs are complete, you will only be responsible for paying the deductible and in some states, the tax on your deductible.
Aftermarket extended warranties will always be cheaper than the manufacturer extended warranty; however, you aren't guaranteed a factory-trained mechanic or genuine Honda parts. In addition, you may have to go to one of their recommended auto repair centers. Finally, beware of some aftermarket extended warranty companies who make you pay for the repairs upfront and then reimburse you later.
Pricing an Extended Warranty
You should pay between 2.5 and 5 percent of the total vehicle cost for a Honda Care extended warranty. The dealership may quote you a higher price, but their true cost for that warranty is around $785. Manufacturers do not regulate how much dealers can mark-up the warranties they sell, so negotiate. The Honda Care warranty will cover the same components as your manufacturer's warranty, usually up to 100,000 miles. Aftermarket companies offer warranties up to 100,000 miles, and if you choose this route, ask questions before you buy. Find out where you have to take your minivan to be repaired. Ask your Honda dealership if they honor aftermarket warranties. Finally, find out if you have to pay first and be reimbursed later.
Extended Warranty Tips
Consider the Honda Care extended warranty first. The ability to have your minivan repairs performed by a factory-trained mechanic who uses only Honda parts is very important. If you go the aftermarket route and they use aftermarket parts or non-factory-trained mechanics and those aftermarket parts affect a Honda component that has lifetime coverage, Honda won't honor their work. In other words, it they break a Honda part while installing an aftermarket accessory, the Honda part will lose its warranty coverage.
Keep in mind that once you drive the new vehicle off the lot, you will need to purchase an extended warranty for a used vehicle. Your best bet is to buy the extended warranty when you purchase the new minivan. The cost for extended warranties for used vehicles can be as high as $2,300. Don't be afraid to negotiate with the dealer to get the best price on Honda Odyssey extended warranties.
