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Are Prepaid Maintenance Plans a Good Idea?

12:22 am by Chad in Uncategorized

Prepaid maintenance plans are some of the newest service plans that are available to you from many auto dealers. At first glance, they seem like a great idea. But after researching them, are they the best option for your needs? Following are some things to consider about prepaid maintenance plans to see if you should get one with your next car purchase.

Know that these plans are not extended warranties. Prepaid maintenance plans typically cover scheduled services recommended in the vehicle’s manual. Tune ups, oil changes, tire rotations and other services are often covered at the recommended intervals as long as the plan you choose covers that time period. For instance, if you choose a three-year and 36,000 mile prepaid plan, it won’t cover a tune up that is recommended for 75,000 miles.

Some prepaid service plan prices are negotiable. Do some calculations and decide how much it would cost to get these scheduled services done. Once you know about how much the services would cost, you can often negotiate the price with your dealer before you buy the plan.

Prepaid maintenance plans have other conveniences. Do you hate waiting in line to pay your service bill? With a prepaid service plan, everything is usually taken care of so you can just get it done and drive away.

There’s no simple answer to the question, “Is a prepaid maintenance plan right for me?” It’s up to you to do the calculations and determine if it’s worth it to you. But knowing a few facts about them can help you make your decision.