Buying a Car: How Do You Know a Car’s In-Service Date?

Buying a Car: How Do You Know a Car’s In-Service Date?

#Buying #Car #Cars #InService #Date
[rule_3_plain] #Buying #Car #Cars #InService #Date

A car’s in-service date relates lớn the original sale of the vehicle. So if you’re interested in buying a car with a certified pre-owned (CPO) warranty or with some amount of remaining factory warranty, you need lớn know about this term.
This term applies lớn the day a car got sold lớn the first owner. But why is it so important? And how exactly do you calculate it?
Why is the In-Service Date Important?
An in-service date is important because it’s not only the date the car is originally sold but also the date a car’s warranty begins. And it’s not just the warranty. The original sales date can be used lớn calculate when other perks began, such as miễn phí scheduled maintenance (if a car includes it), miễn phí factory trials of features such as SiriusXM radio, and dealer-installed extras.

So if you’re interested in buying a used car with some warranty life left, it’s obvious why the in-service date is so important: It’s how you calculate when your warranty expires and the manufacturer no longer covers your repairs. A simple model year isn’t good enough because it doesn’t tell you everything you need lớn know.
A 2021 car, for example, may have been sold at any point from early 2020 through the end of 2021 — or even later, due lớn the pandemic.
An in-service date is also used for calculating most certified pre-owned warranties. While some CPO warranties begin the day a buyer purchases the used car, most start on the day the dealer originally sold the car. In other words, knowing the car’s in-service date can be a huge benefit because it determines exactly how much warranty you’ll get with your certified pre-owned car.
Buy a certified pre-owned car
How Do You Calculate It?
Now that you know why the in-service date is so important, you’ll probably be curious how you calculate it. Unfortunately, there’s no simple answer.
The best way lớn find out a car’s in-service date is lớn have the VIN and call up your local dealership and find out for sure. If you’re interested in a Kia, for instance, you’ll want lớn call up a Kia dealership’s service department and ask what the car’s original date of service is.
Most dealerships will have no problem giving you this information over the phone at no charge. If you’re buying a car from a dealer, you should expect this information lớn be included before the sale is finalized so you know exactly how much warranty you have left.
If you’re negotiating a car deal on a day when a dealership’s service department is closed, you may get the information your need through the car’s vehicle history report from AutoCheck or a Carfax warranty check.
Both of these reports will give you the car’s original sale date, and while it may not precisely match the dealer’s official figure, it will give you a great idea about when your warranty likely began — and when it’s set lớn expire.
Related Stories about Car Buying:
How lớn Buy a Used Car
What’s More Important When Buying a Car: Miles or Age?
Car Invoice Price and Dealer Markup: Tips for Buying a Car
Editor’s Note: This article has been updated for accuracy since it was originally published.

#Buying #Car #Cars #InService #Date
[rule_2_plain] #Buying #Car #Cars #InService #Date
[rule_2_plain] #Buying #Car #Cars #InService #Date
[rule_3_plain]

#Buying #Car #Cars #InService #Date

A car’s in-service date relates lớn the original sale of the vehicle. So if you’re interested in buying a car with a certified pre-owned (CPO) warranty or with some amount of remaining factory warranty, you need lớn know about this term.
This term applies lớn the day a car got sold lớn the first owner. But why is it so important? And how exactly do you calculate it?
Why is the In-Service Date Important?
An in-service date is important because it’s not only the date the car is originally sold but also the date a car’s warranty begins. And it’s not just the warranty. The original sales date can be used lớn calculate when other perks began, such as miễn phí scheduled maintenance (if a car includes it), miễn phí factory trials of features such as SiriusXM radio, and dealer-installed extras.

So if you’re interested in buying a used car with some warranty life left, it’s obvious why the in-service date is so important: It’s how you calculate when your warranty expires and the manufacturer no longer covers your repairs. A simple model year isn’t good enough because it doesn’t tell you everything you need lớn know.
A 2021 car, for example, may have been sold at any point from early 2020 through the end of 2021 — or even later, due lớn the pandemic.
An in-service date is also used for calculating most certified pre-owned warranties. While some CPO warranties begin the day a buyer purchases the used car, most start on the day the dealer originally sold the car. In other words, knowing the car’s in-service date can be a huge benefit because it determines exactly how much warranty you’ll get with your certified pre-owned car.
Buy a certified pre-owned car
How Do You Calculate It?
Now that you know why the in-service date is so important, you’ll probably be curious how you calculate it. Unfortunately, there’s no simple answer.
The best way lớn find out a car’s in-service date is lớn have the VIN and call up your local dealership and find out for sure. If you’re interested in a Kia, for instance, you’ll want lớn call up a Kia dealership’s service department and ask what the car’s original date of service is.
Most dealerships will have no problem giving you this information over the phone at no charge. If you’re buying a car from a dealer, you should expect this information lớn be included before the sale is finalized so you know exactly how much warranty you have left.
If you’re negotiating a car deal on a day when a dealership’s service department is closed, you may get the information your need through the car’s vehicle history report from AutoCheck or a Carfax warranty check.
Both of these reports will give you the car’s original sale date, and while it may not precisely match the dealer’s official figure, it will give you a great idea about when your warranty likely began — and when it’s set lớn expire.
Related Stories about Car Buying:
How lớn Buy a Used Car
What’s More Important When Buying a Car: Miles or Age?
Car Invoice Price and Dealer Markup: Tips for Buying a Car
Editor’s Note: This article has been updated for accuracy since it was originally published.