What Are Wear and Tear Items & Why They’re Not Covered by Car Warranties
When you buy a new or extended car warranty, it’s natural to assume it will cover everything that goes wrong with your vehicle. But there’s one important category of parts you’ll often see excluded: wear and tear items.
If you’ve ever been surprised by a repair bill because your warranty didn’t cover certain parts, this article will help you understand why—and how to plan ahead.
What Are Wear and Tear Items?
Wear and tear items are parts of your car that naturally degrade over time with normal use, regardless of how well you maintain your vehicle. They’re designed to be replaced periodically as part of routine maintenance.
Common Examples of Wear and Tear Items
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Brake pads & rotors – Friction from braking wears them down.
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Tires – Rubber loses tread from contact with the road.
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Wiper blades – Weather and use cause rubber to crack and lose effectiveness.
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Clutch discs (in manual transmissions) – Gradual friction leads to thinning and slipping.
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Filters – Oil, air, and cabin filters clog over time.
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Light bulbs – Filaments or LEDs eventually burn out or dim.
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Batteries – Internal chemistry degrades over time.
Why Warranties Don’t Cover Wear and Tear Items
1. They’re Expected to Fail
A warranty is designed to cover unexpected mechanical breakdowns. Wear and tear items aren’t a matter of “if” they’ll need replacement, but “when.”
2. High Frequency of Replacement
Some wear items need replacing every 6–24 months. Covering them under a warranty would drastically increase the cost for everyone.
3. Maintenance Responsibility
Wear and tear replacements are part of regular vehicle upkeep. Just like changing your oil, it’s the owner’s job to budget for and maintain these parts.
The Grey Area: Premature Wear
While normal wear and tear isn’t covered, if a part fails unusually early due to a defect, your warranty may step in. For example:
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A tire with a manufacturing defect
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Brake rotors warping after just a few thousand miles
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A battery that fails long before its expected life
The key here is proving the failure was due to a defect, not standard use.
Can You Get Coverage for Wear and Tear?
Some premium extended warranties offer “wear and tear” coverage as an add-on. This can help cover certain parts once they fall below a set performance standard, even if they haven’t completely failed. It’s not common, but worth exploring if you want extra peace of mind.
Final Takeaway
Car warranties are your safety net against costly, unexpected breakdowns—but they’re not a maintenance plan. Knowing what wear and tear items are—and why they’re excluded—will help you avoid surprises and keep your vehicle in top shape for years to come.
— Neil Coker