Our 3-Month/3,000-Mile Used Car Warranty | Lebanon Auto
Why We Include a Full-Coverage Mechanical Warranty With Every Vehicle We Sell
From Ken's Desk
When you're shopping for a used vehicle, there are plenty of things to consider.
Price. Mileage. Condition. Equipment. Vehicle history.
But there's another question I believe every used-car buyer should ask:
"What happens if something goes wrong after I buy it?"
It's a fair question.
After all, a used vehicle has already spent time on the road. Even one that's been carefully maintained and thoroughly inspected can experience an unexpected mechanical problem.
That's simply the reality of owning an automobile.
At Lebanon Auto Sales, we've always believed that selling a vehicle comes with a responsibility that extends beyond the day a customer drives it off our lot.
And that's one of the reasons we include a 3-month/3,000-mile full-coverage mechanical warranty with every vehicle we sell.
Let me explain why that matters.
Not All Used-Car Warranties Are the Same
One of the first things consumers should understand is that the word warranty doesn't necessarily mean the same thing at every dealership.
Some used vehicles are sold without a dealer warranty.
Others come with limited powertrain coverage.
And some dealerships offer more comprehensive mechanical protection.
A powertrain warranty generally focuses on specified components of the engine, transmission, and drivetrain.
Those are certainly important systems.
But they're not the only parts of a vehicle that can develop problems.
Think about all the other mechanical and electrical systems that make today's vehicles operate.
Air conditioning. Heating. Power windows. Electrical components. Steering. Suspension. And numerous other systems.
A vehicle can have a perfectly functioning engine and transmission while experiencing a problem elsewhere that results in an unexpected repair expense.
That's why I believe buyers should look beyond the words "warranty included" and understand exactly what's covered.
What Our 3-Month/3,000-Mile Warranty Covers
At Lebanon Auto Sales, our approach is straightforward.
Every vehicle we sell includes a full-coverage mechanical warranty for 3 months or 3,000 miles, whichever comes first.
Our warranty isn't limited to powertrain components.
We cover mechanical problems throughout the vehicle, including its mechanical and electrical operating systems.
The exclusions are straightforward: cosmetic concerns, problems resulting from driver abuse, and damage caused by accidents aren't covered.
In other words, our warranty is intended to protect customers against unexpected mechanical problems—not damage resulting from misuse or an accident.
We want customers to understand that distinction because we believe transparency is just as important as the protection itself.
Where Are Warranty Repairs Performed?
There's one important condition of our warranty that customers should understand.
All warranty repairs must be diagnosed and completed at Lebanon Auto Sales.
Because we operate our own automotive service department, our technicians can evaluate mechanical concerns, determine what repairs are necessary, and perform covered work right here at our facility.
This provides our customers with a direct connection between the dealership that sold them the vehicle and the technicians responsible for addressing any covered mechanical problems.
We also understand that unexpected circumstances can arise.
For example, a customer might experience a mechanical breakdown while traveling a considerable distance from Lebanon.
Although our warranty requires repairs to be performed at our facility, we may consider exceptions on a case-by-case basis when circumstances warrant. Any exception must be discussed with and approved by Lebanon Auto Sales before outside diagnosis or repairs are performed.
Exceptions are not guaranteed, but we believe it's important to consider reasonable circumstances rather than automatically dismissing a customer's concerns.
Our goal is straightforward: provide meaningful mechanical protection while maintaining the personal service and accountability that come from handling warranty repairs through our own service department.
We stand behind the vehicles we sell, and we have the technicians and facilities to back up that commitment.
Why the First Few Months Matter
Think about what happens when you purchase a vehicle.
During the test drive, you might spend 15 or 20 minutes behind the wheel.
You get a feel for the steering, braking, acceleration, and overall driving experience.
But that's not the same as driving the vehicle every day.
Over the next several weeks, you may experience different temperatures, road conditions, driving distances, and operating situations.
A component that performed normally during an inspection or test drive can occasionally develop a problem later.
That's one reason the first few months of ownership are important.
And it's why we believe customers should have meaningful mechanical protection during that period.
We don't expect every vehicle to develop a problem. But we want our customers to know they're protected if an unexpected covered mechanical issue occurs.
A Warranty Doesn't Replace Proper Vehicle Preparation
I want to make something very clear.
Providing a warranty should never be an excuse for a dealership to neglect inspecting or preparing its vehicles.
In fact, I believe the opposite.
A dealership that stands behind its vehicles has an additional reason to be careful about what it purchases and how those vehicles are prepared for sale.
At Lebanon Auto Sales, our experience in both vehicle sales and automotive service plays an important role in how we approach the business.
We understand what it takes to diagnose mechanical problems, perform repairs, and maintain vehicles properly.
And we know that even experienced technicians can't predict every future failure.
That's why I see vehicle preparation and warranty protection as two parts of the same commitment.
Why We Don't Limit Our Warranty to the Powertrain
Let's consider an example.
Imagine purchasing a used SUV.
A few weeks later, the air conditioning system develops a mechanical problem.
The engine runs perfectly.
The transmission shifts normally.
The vehicle drives just fine.
But the air conditioning repair could still be expensive.
Under a powertrain-only warranty, that repair generally wouldn't be covered.
Under our full-coverage mechanical warranty, an unexpected mechanical failure of the air conditioning system would fall within the coverage we provide, assuming it wasn't caused by an excluded event.
The same principle applies to other mechanical and electrical operating systems.
This is the distinction I want consumers to understand.
A powertrain warranty protects certain major components. Our warranty is designed to protect the vehicle's mechanical systems much more broadly.
Why Do We Include It Instead of Making Customers Buy It?
That's another fair question.
We could take the approach of offering mechanical protection only as an optional purchase.
But we believe customers should receive meaningful initial protection as part of buying a vehicle from Lebanon Auto Sales.
So we include our 3-month/3,000-mile full-coverage mechanical warranty with every vehicle we sell.
It's not something customers have to purchase separately to receive that initial coverage.
That doesn't mean unexpected repairs are inexpensive for our business.
They aren't.
Our service department knows firsthand how costly automotive repairs can become.
But we consider the warranty part of doing business the way we believe it should be done.
We want our customers to feel comfortable with their purchase, and we want to establish relationships that last well beyond a single transaction.
Does That Mean Nothing Can Go Wrong?
Of course not.
And I would never want to suggest otherwise.
No dealership can honestly guarantee that a used vehicle will operate indefinitely without a mechanical problem.
Vehicles are complicated machines.
They contain thousands of components, and mechanical failures can occur even with proper maintenance and careful driving.
That's why we provide warranty protection.
Not because we believe problems are impossible, but because we understand they're possible.
I think that's an important distinction.
Confidence in a vehicle doesn't mean pretending it can never break. It means being willing to stand behind it when an unexpected problem occurs.
What Should You Ask About a Used-Car Warranty?
Whether you're shopping at Lebanon Auto Sales or somewhere else, I encourage you to ask questions before purchasing.
Find out whether a warranty is included or costs extra.
Ask whether it covers only the powertrain or other mechanical systems as well.
Understand the duration and mileage limits.
Ask about exclusions and whether you'll be responsible for any deductible or other repair costs.
And most importantly, get the warranty terms in writing.
The answers can make a significant difference in the protection you're actually receiving.
Two vehicles with similar prices and mileage may offer very different overall value when you consider the warranty coverage included with each.
Also ask where warranty repairs must be performed. Some warranties allow you to use different repair facilities, while others, including ours, require the work to be completed at the selling dealership.
The Bottom Line
At Lebanon Auto Sales, we believe earning a customer's trust involves more than offering a nice selection of vehicles at competitive prices.
It means being thoughtful about the vehicles we purchase.
It means understanding their mechanical condition.
It means preparing them for sale.
And it means standing behind them after the sale.
That's why we include our 3-month/3,000-mile full-coverage mechanical warranty with every vehicle we sell.
We don't limit that protection to the engine and transmission.
We provide broad mechanical coverage because we believe our customers deserve it.
And while no warranty can eliminate every inconvenience that comes with vehicle ownership, we believe meaningful protection can make the purchasing experience more reassuring.
To me, standing behind what you sell shouldn't be an advertising slogan. It should be part of how you do business.
That's the philosophy we believe in at Lebanon Auto Sales.
And it's one more way we work toward being Central Pennsylvania's Most Trusted Automotive Resource.
About the Author
Ken Ebersole is President of Lebanon Auto Sales and has spent decades in the automotive business buying, selling, and servicing used vehicles. Through From Ken's Desk, he shares practical advice designed to help Central Pennsylvania drivers make smarter automotive decisions.
