Types of car warranties in Germany
When buying a car in Germany, it is important to understand the obligations of the seller and the manufacturer. Your future car may have a factory warranty (Herstellergarantie) from the brand and the statutory seller’s liability called Gewährleistung. In this section Sicher-Check Auto explains the typical warranties on new and used cars in Germany in 2025–2026 and what to watch out for when buying a car in Berlin, Potsdam or other regions.
Factory warranty (Herstellergarantie). New cars from German brands are usually sold with a two-year factory warranty. Under EU law and German standards the manufacturer must repair factory defects free of charge within these two years (usually without mileage limits). This applies to most Volkswagen, BMW, Audi, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche and other brands. Many manufacturers also offer extended warranty programmes or service plans. Electric vehicles often come with a separate battery warranty (for example up to 8 years or 160,000 km) and long anti-corrosion warranty on the body (10–12 years is common).
In parallel, the statutory seller’s liability (Gewährleistung) applies automatically. When you buy a new car from an authorised dealer in Germany, you get at least two years of legal protection against hidden defects that existed at the time of sale and are not just normal wear and tear. Since 1 January 2022, for used cars the standard Gewährleistung at a professional dealer is one year (previously six months). In practice many dealers still offer 12–24 months of protection even for used vehicles.
Important: the factory warranty is linked to the car, but you still need to check whether it is transferable and how much time and mileage remain. During pre-purchase inspections in Berlin and Potsdam we at Sicher-Check always check the date of first registration and the original purchase documents to see how much factory warranty is left.
In addition you may see: extended paid warranties (insurance-like products that cover major components for extra 12–36 months), service packages (maintenance at fixed cost) and certified used car programmes (car checked by the brand with extended warranty and roadside assistance).
Buying from a private seller: any warranty and can you return the car?
When you buy a car from a private person in Germany, the situation is very different. Private sellers usually exclude any Gewährleistung in the contract and sell the car “as seen” (“verkauft wie gesehen”). This means that after the sale they are no longer responsible for defects that appear later. If you discover a problem shortly after the purchase, it is usually very difficult to return the car or make the seller pay for repairs. That is why independent inspection, pre-purchase diagnostics, VIN check and document review are absolutely essential when buying from a private seller.
German law still protects buyers against intentional fraud and hidden defects, but you need strong proof that the defect existed before the sale and was deliberately concealed. Court cases like this are long and expensive. It is much easier and cheaper to check the car properly before signing anything — technically and legally.
Another important point: there is no “cooling-off period” for used cars bought in person. Once you have signed the contract and taken the keys, you cannot simply change your mind and return the car. So our recommendation at Sicher-Check is simple: treat every private purchase very carefully, insist on full inspection and diagnostics and walk away if the seller refuses.
Dealer, Autohaus, auction: how warranties differ
When choosing a used car in Germany you need to know which warranties still apply. As part of our used car inspection in Berlin/Potsdam Sicher-Check always clarifies this point. We look at the main warranty sources:
Official brand dealer
Buying from an authorised dealer usually means at least one year of Gewährleistung on a used car, sometimes more. If the car is still relatively new, part of the factory warranty may also still be active. We check the first registration date and previous purchase documents to see how many months are left. Dealers often include warranty conditions in the contract — we explain to you in simple terms what exactly is covered and for how long.
- New cars — factory warranty plus dealer Gewährleistung.
- Used cars — at least 1 year seller’s liability, often extended warranty options.
- Pros: transparent conditions, full service history, help with registration and paperwork.
Independent car dealer (Autohaus)
Smaller independent dealers in Germany may offer their own warranty period (for example 6–12 months), often backed by an insurance company. Others try to limit or exclude Gewährleistung. During our inspections we always read the contract carefully: is there any warranty clause, what is the duration, what parts are covered, are there mileage limits or deductibles. If there is no warranty at all, we clearly point this out in our report.
- Very different conditions: from full 12-month coverage to “no warranty”.
- Always read the fine print: what is covered, exclusions, maximum claim amounts.
- Check if the warranty depends on doing all services at a specific workshop.
Auction cars
Cars sold at auctions (insurance write-offs, bank repossessions etc.) are usually sold strictly “as is”. In practice this means no warranty and no right to return the vehicle. For auction cars we always emphasise in our report that the buyer carries all technical risks. Such cars can be interesting in terms of price, but only if you fully understand the condition and have realistic expectations about future repair costs.
- Most auction cars are sold without any warranty or right of return.
- Full technical inspection before the auction is critical.
- Always calculate the potential cost of bringing the car back into safe condition.
Before you sign anything, Sicher-Check clarifies the warranty situation directly with the seller. After our inspection you know exactly whether factory or dealer warranties are still valid, how long they last and which components they cover. We can also recommend which points should be written into the contract — for example explicit confirmation of warranty transfer to the new owner.
How to check warranty status and service history
- Documentation. Check the date of first registration, paper or digital service history and any separate warranty contracts. Ask the dealer to confirm details in writing if something is unclear.
- VIN check. Use a VIN report to see accident history, mileage records, title issues, finance liens and use type (rental, taxi, driving school). This shows whether the car’s past matches the seller’s story.
- Warranty content. Look at duration, mileage limit, list of covered components, exclusions and owner obligations (for example mandatory inspections or oil changes at specific intervals).
- Seller confirmation. Ask the seller or dealer to confirm the remaining warranty in writing — ideally stamped and signed, or at least as an e-mail that you keep with your documents.
- Technical inspection. Independent diagnostics and pre-purchase inspection document the real condition of the car before the deal. This is important both for your own decision and as evidence if there is a dispute later.
Tip: if there is factory or extended warranty left, make sure the transfer to the new owner is clearly documented in the contract together with dates and mileage.
Service at dealer or independent workshop: does it affect the warranty?
Many buyers worry that they might lose their car warranty if they do not service the vehicle at the official dealer. Under EU law (for example Regulation (EC) No 461/2010) the manufacturer is not allowed to cancel warranty solely because you used an independent workshop. The crucial points are: the service must follow the official schedule, and the parts and fluids must meet the manufacturer’s specifications.
As long as you respect the service intervals and use proper quality parts, the warranty should remain valid. Always keep invoices and service records — they are your proof that the car has been maintained correctly. For complex repairs that are clearly covered by factory warranty, it usually makes sense to visit an authorised dealer.
- Official service. Convenient for complex warranty jobs and software updates. Repairs are done with original parts and the dealer can often handle goodwill decisions directly with the manufacturer.
- Independent workshop. Can carry out regular maintenance (oil, filters, brakes, fluids etc.) at lower cost without automatically voiding warranty. The key is documentation: invoices, service stamps or digital entries.
Myths and realities about car warranties in Germany
- Myth: “After one year the seller has no responsibility at all.” Reality: When buying from a professional dealer you normally have at least 12 months of statutory Gewährleistung on a used car. For new cars it is usually 24 months. The seller must fix serious hidden defects that were already present at the time of sale.
- Myth: “Cars from auctions are always sold without any protection.” Reality: In most cases there is indeed no warranty, but some specialised programmes include limited coverage. However you should always assume that auction cars are sold “as is” and arrange thorough inspection before bidding.
- Myth: “If I do one service outside the dealer network, I immediately lose my warranty.” Reality: This contradicts EU rules. As long as the car is maintained correctly and according to the schedule, independent servicing does not automatically cancel the warranty. The dealer might ask for proof of what was done — this is why invoices and records are so important.
- Myth: “Any problem after two years is always the buyer’s problem.” Reality: Some issues — for example manipulated mileage, structural accident damage or odometer fraud — are not “normal wear and tear”. If there is evidence of fraud, the buyer can still have legal options. With a detailed inspection report from Sicher-Check you have an important piece of evidence that shows your good faith and the condition at the time of purchase.
What to include in the sales contract
- Explicit transfer of any remaining factory or extended warranty, including end date and mileage limit.
- Clear list of included warranty products/insurance and how to make a claim.
- Documented defects found during inspection and agreement on repair or price reduction.
- Full list of documents handed over: Zulassungsbescheinigung Teil I/II, service history, TÜV/AU reports, dealer confirmations.
How Sicher-Check helps: checking car and warranty before you buy
We work in Berlin, Potsdam and across Germany. Our service includes independent pre-purchase inspection, professional diagnostics, VIN and document checks. We verify if there is any factory or dealer warranty left, explain the terms in plain language and document everything in a written report. If you want, we also help with negotiations and paperwork. If you want to be sure that the promised warranty is real and actually useful, talk to us before you sign anything:
Practical tips from Sicher-Check for car buyers in Germany
Our main advice is simple: never sign a contract that you do not fully understand. Take the time to read the sales agreement and warranty conditions carefully. During pre-purchase inspections in Berlin or Potsdam we help our clients with exactly this — we check whether there is still factory or extended warranty, whether the handover protocol is correct and whether there are any clauses that exclude Gewährleistung.
We also advise whether an additional service contract or extended warranty makes sense for your specific car and driving profile. After the inspection you know exactly what kind of protection you have, for how long and under which conditions. With Sicher-Check you can enjoy your car in Germany knowing your rights and the obligations of the seller.