When it’s time to change your brake pads, you’ll often end up with the option to purchase a standard or lifetime warranty on the pads to help offset the costs of any repair or replacement. But which is the better choice for getting the most out of your purchase?
Lifetime warranty brake pads can save you money replacing your brake pads any time you need a new pair in trade. Standard warranty brake pads are under warranty for three months or three thousand miles, whichever comes first. Brake pad warranties don’t cover other brake component repairs.
So how do you know whether you should get a standard brake pad warranty or invest in a lifetime warranty? Keep reading to learn more about the pros and cons of each choice and which is the better option for you.
What Does a Lifetime Warranty Mean on Brake Pads?
Before we begin, you should know what a lifetime warranty means for brake pads.
In general, a lifetime warranty on brake pads means that whenever the brake pads become worn out due to typical wear and tear, the old brake pads can be traded in for a new set.
However, you should keep in mind that if you get brake pads with a lifetime warranty, this only covers the cost of the parts. You’ll still have to pay for the labor of installation.
What Is the Standard Warranty on Brake Pads?
Not all cars come with a lifetime warranty on its brake pads. So, what is the standard warranty?
Most brake pads come with a standard warranty. Standard warranties on brake pads typically cover a 3-month, 3,000-mile warranty period depending on which comes first.
Standard warranties are designed to protect drivers from potential manufacturer defects that may spring up during use. These warranties aren’t designed to cover regular wear-and-tear on the vehicle like a lifetime warranty program.
How Do Brake Pad Warranties Work?
Now, how do brake pad warranties work?
The way brake pad warranties work when you have a lifetime warranty is that you have to bring the old brake pads into the store where you bought the lifetime warranty on your brake pads.
A common merchant who has lifetime brake pad warranty programs is Autozone.
Do Lifetime Brake Pad Warranties Cover All Brake Pad Issues?
Even though lifetime brake pad warranties cover a lot of defects and wear, certain conditions aren’t covered under a lifetime brake pad warranty.
If your brake pads are destroyed by a bad brake caliper seizing up, there’s a chance that the store won’t consider this damage as covered under your warranty. This is also the case if you end up in an auto wreck that damages your braking system.
The main purpose of lifetime brake pad warranties is to allow you to replace your brake pads whenever they get worn out. Standard brake pad warranties only cover issues with your brake pads for the first few months.
Pros of Brake Pads with a Lifetime Warrants
Since lifetime brake pad warranties can offer you free brake pads for months or even years longer than a standard brake pad warranty, you might be wondering whether they’re worth the money. After all, lifetime brake pad deals are typically more expensive than purchasing brake pads under a standard warranty.
Here are a few reasons that a lifetime brake pad warranty can be worth the money:
- The warranty will pay for itself: A lifetime brake pad warranty may be more expensive than a standard brake pad warranty, but getting free replacements for your brake pads can help trim your car maintenance bills when it comes time to change your pads out.
- Lifetime warranties cover defects and wear: While many standard warranties only cover a replacement of your brake pads if they have a manufacturer’s defect, a lifetime warranty will replace your brake pads, no questions asked.
Now, let’s take a look at some disadvantages to brake pads with a lifetime warranty.
Cons of Brake Pads with a Lifetime Warrants
Even though lifetime brake pad warranties can be worth the money, there are a few drawbacks to keep in mind with these warranties too.
Here are a few reasons you might want to hold off on a lifetime brake pad warranty:
- Lifetime brake pad warranties don’t affect the cost of repairs on other brake components. Even though you’ll get a free replacement on your brake pads, this might not make much of a dent in your brake job repair bill if you also have to service the calipers, brake lines, or other aspects of the brake system.
- You don’t use the car that much. A lifetime brake pad warranty may not be worth the money for people who don’t drive a lot or put their car under a heavy load.
- Cost of labor and installation isn’t covered. Even though you can get your brake pads replaced for free under a lifetime brake pad warranty, you’ll still have to pay for any other labor associated with brake maintenance, including the installation of the pads. This can leave you with a bill that is still several hundred dollars.
- Only premium pads are covered. If you’re looking to get a lifetime brake pad warranty on a cheap pair of brake pads, think again. You’ll have to buy top-of-the-line brake pads to take advantage of a lifetime brake pad warranty.
Now you know everything about the difference between brake pads with standard or lifetime warranties.
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, it’s up to you to determine whether or not a lifetime brake pad warranty is a practical choice for your driving lifestyle. People who do a lot of driving or drive in mountainous terrain might get more use out of lifetime brake pads than those who only drive in light conditions.