Guess the Repair Cost.
Beat your streak. Outsmart the mechanic.
Every day, a new real-world car repair scenario. You get 5 guesses to nail the bill within 10%. Climb the leaderboard. Find out why so many drivers wish they'd had a warranty.
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How it works
1. Read the case
A real repair scenario: car, miles, symptoms.
2. Guess the bill
Slide to your guess. We'll tell you "too low" or "too high".
3. 5 tries to nail it
Within 10% counts. Closer = more points.
4. Climb the board
Daily and 30-day leaderboards. Streaks reward daily play.
Past repair puzzles
Browse real cases and their actual costs.
Car warranties: what they actually cover (and what most people get wrong)
Most drivers don't read their warranty until something breaks. By then it's too late to find out it doesn't cover the part that just failed.
What is a car warranty, really?
A warranty is a promise, not insurance. It doesn't protect against accidents, weather, or wear from neglect. It protects against defects — parts that fail because they were built or installed wrong, not because they got old.
That distinction matters more than most people realize. It's the difference between a covered repair and a bill you're paying yourself.
The different types of car warranty coverage
Factory (manufacturer) warranty
Comes standard with every new car. Covers defects in materials and workmanship for a set number of years or miles.
Powertrain warranty
A narrower, longer-lasting layer. Covers the engine, transmission, and drivetrain — the parts most expensive to replace.
Bumper-to-bumper warranty
The broadest factory coverage. Nearly everything between the front and rear bumper is included, aside from a short list of wear items.
Certified pre-owned (CPO) warranty
Extends manufacturer-backed coverage onto a used vehicle that's passed inspection, backed by the same manufacturer.
Extended (aftermarket) warranty
Coverage purchased separately, often to bridge the gap after factory coverage ends. Terms vary widely by provider.
Figures are typical industry ranges, not guarantees — actual terms vary by manufacturer and provider.
Who actually needs one
- Anyone keeping a car past factory coverage
- Buyers of used vehicles with no coverage left
- High-mileage drivers who outpace time-based limits
- Owners who'd rather budget a cost than face a surprise bill
- Anyone financing a car longer than the warranty lasts
Why a warranty is worth it
- Turns a surprise repair into a planned expense
- Protects against the parts most expensive to fix
- Transfers with the car, which can raise resale value
- Covers labor, not just parts, on most plans
- Removes the guesswork of "is this even covered?"
How to choose the right coverage
- Start with what's already covered. A new car under factory warranty rarely needs anything extra yet. A used car with expired coverage is a different story.
- Match the coverage to how you actually drive. A high-mileage commuter needs different protection than a car that mostly sits in a garage.
- Read what's excluded before what's included. The exclusions list tells you more about a warranty than the marketing page does.
Frequently asked questions
Is a car warranty the same as car insurance?
No. Insurance covers accidents, theft, and damage. A warranty covers mechanical defects and failures unrelated to a crash.
Does a warranty cover normal wear and tear?
Usually not. Brake pads, tires, and wiper blades wear out from use, not defect, so most warranties exclude them.
Can I still get coverage after the factory warranty expires?
Yes — that's what extended and aftermarket warranties are for, though terms and providers vary significantly.
Does a warranty transfer if I sell the car?
Most factory and CPO warranties do transfer to the next owner, which can make a car easier to sell.
What voids a car warranty?
Skipping required maintenance, using non-approved parts, or modifying the vehicle outside manufacturer specs are the most common causes.