Should You Buy a GMC Extended Warranty?

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If you own a GMC vehicle, you may be wondering if a GMC extended warranty is worth it. Like most car manufacturers, GMC provides limited factory warranties with all new vehicles and sells extended warranties to those who desire extra coverage. Before you purchase extended protection, it’s a good idea to compare your options.

Our team of experts will provide you with an in-depth look at the GMC extended car warranty. We’ll also compare GMC to one of the best extended car warranty companies, Endurance, to help you decide which is better for your situation.

General Motors Corporation (GMC) offers an extended warranty for bumper-to-bumper coverage. You have the option to lengthen the coverage term to match the powertrain warranty (5 years/60,000 miles). Extended warranty coverage can only be bought at the time you purchase your GM vehicle.

The GMC extended warranty comes with no deductible. All repairs are performed by GMC Certified Service experts who use new, remanufactured, or refurbished parts.

In addition to its extended warranty plans, GMC also offers an extended factory maintenance plan for all vehicles 2019 and newer. The extended factory maintenance plan pays for three maintenance visits (for oil changes, inspections, or tire rotations) on top of the one already included with the factory warranty.

An auto warranty protects you against sudden, expensive repairs and provides peace of mind. A good warranty guarantees you can afford to repair your vehicle after an unexpected breakdown. But for the most reliable makes and models, an extended warranty may not be worth it. Determining the utility of a GMC extended warranty starts with understanding the car you drive.

GMC vehicles are about average when it comes to reliability. For most GMC models, the frequency of repairs tends to be low, though the expense of these repairs can be high. According to RepairPal, repair costs for GMC vehicles average out to $744 per year. The GMC Canyon has the lowest average repair costs, while the Sierra 3500 and Savana 3500 have the highest.

The chart below outlines some common repairs and prices for a 2017 GMC Sierra 1500.

In addition to average repair costs, consider what is already covered by the factory warranty when assessing the value of an extended car warranty. The factory warranty may already provide the coverage that you want. The value of an extended warranty only kicks in beyond the factory warranty.

If your GMC vehicle is less than three years old and has fewer than 36,000 miles, it is likely still covered by the limited manufacturer warranty. GMC offers warranty coverage for all new and certified pre-owned (CPO) vehicles. It’s worth checking out these types of coverage while trying to decide whether you need a GMC extended warranty.

GMC extended warranty costs will depend on numerous factors related to your vehicle such as its age, make, model, mileage, and the dealership you choose. In our 2021 extended warranty survey which polled 1,000 consumers, 45 percent of respondents reported paying between $1,500 and $2,500 for extended warranty coverage.

GMC extended warranty coverage must be purchased at the same time you buy your new car. If you’re using a loan to purchase your new vehicle, your protection plan is likely to be included on your loan, meaning that you will be paying interest on it long term.

Your protection plan is often negotiable, like the price of your car. It's important to do your research to make sure that you're getting the best coverage possible at a great price.

An alternative to a GMC extended warranty is to purchase a warranty through a third-party provider. Third-party providers like Endurance and CarShield generally offer cheaper coverage than the dealer.

Another benefit to a third-party provider is that you can purchase coverage anytime. A GMC extended warranty must be purchased at the time you buy your vehicle. This is inconvenient for a couple reasons.

After you own a car for a few years, you have a better idea of its reliability. You are in a better position to assess if your car needs an additional two years of warranty protection after the initial three-year warranty expires. Another reason to wait to purchase an extended warranty is that you may end up selling your car before the factory warranty expires.

When you purchase an extended warranty from a manufacturer, the cost of the warranty may be included in your vehicle purchase and rolled into your loan. This means that unless you have a 0 percent annual percentage rate (APR), you will pay interest on the cost of your extended auto warranty.

The chart below compares a GMC extended warranty with a vehicle service contract from Endurance.

Depending on which model of GMC vehicle you own or purchase, an extended warranty may not be worth the cost. Do some research on your model to make the best decision for you.

If you want to buy an extended warranty, you can purchase a 5-year/60,000-mile GMC extended warranty at the dealership when you buy your car. Or you can wait until after the manufacturer’s warranty expires. At that point, you may have a better idea if an extended warranty is right for you, and purchasing coverage through a third-party provider is a flexible way to get great coverage.

Q & A

How much is a GMC extended warranty?

The cost of a GMC extended warranty depends on your vehicle model and the provider you choose for coverage. Extended warranty contracts can be negotiated, but expect to pay around $1,000 to $2,000 for a GMC extended warranty.

How much should an extended warranty cost?

A good price for an extended car warranty is something that is close to—or ideally, exceeds—your vehicle repair costs during the contract period. The average policy can cost between $500 to $1,000 a year. To determine the right plan for you, research average annual repairs for your vehicle before finding coverage.

Can you buy an extended warranty after purchase?

You can buy an extended warranty from a third-party provider after you purchase your vehicle. However, many manufacturer extended warranties can only be purchased when you buy your vehicle.