Protect Your Used Semi Truck With a Truck Warranty

Buying a used semi truck is a major investment – and when that truck is the backbone of your business, downtime isn’t just inconvenient, it’s expensive. As commercial vehicles become more complex and costly to repair, protecting your truck with a comprehensive used truck warranty isn’t just smart – it’s essential.

At SelecTrucks, we believe every owner-operator and fleet buyer deserves confidence in their purchase. A used semi truck warranty can help you avoid major repair bills, reduce financial stress, and keep you on the road generating income.

Why you need a warranty for a used commercial truck

When your livelihood depends on uptime, a commercial truck warranty for your used commercial truck acts as your essential safety net, minimizing out-of-pocket expenses and protecting your bottom line. It's a critical investment, especially considering the inherent risks on the road. For instance, on average, more than 168,000 truck accidents occur every year in the U.S., highlighting the unpredictable nature of commercial trucking and the constant potential for unforeseen damage.

As commercial vehicles become more complex with advanced technologies, the cost of repairs for even minor issues can escalate rapidly. This is particularly true for used semi truck models, where the initial factory warranty may have expired, leaving you exposed to significant financial risk. A reliable used truck warranty can mitigate this exposure.

With today’s commercial trucks getting more and more complex by the day, purchasing a warranty is more important than ever before. A used truck warranty can protect your investment and help keep you on the road generating income.

Beyond accident-related damage, normal wear and tear on high-mileage components can lead to costly breakdowns. An effective used truck extended warranty provides coverage for these critical parts, ensuring that unexpected mechanical failures don't translate into catastrophic financial setbacks. It allows you to maintain predictable operating costs and avoid the stress of massive, unplanned repair bills, ultimately contributing to your business's stability and profitability.

Types of used semi truck warranty coverage

Warranties vary widely. It’s important to understand what’s included and what isn’t, so you can choose the plan that best aligns with your business model.

Warranty duration: short-term vs long-term coverage

Warranties typically range from 90 days to 48 months, with cost increasing alongside term length. Most buyers opt for at least 12 months of protection to cover the early period of ownership while building a maintenance reserve.

Some dealers, like SelecTrucks, offer short-term warranty packages at no additional cost, which can provide basic protection immediately after purchase.

What’s covered in a semi truck warranty?

True "bumper-to-bumper" coverage doesn't exist in the used truck space. Most warranties cover internally lubricated parts of major components, but not wear-and-tear items like tires, clutches, or brakes.

Additional coverage is typically required for:
Turbochargers and fuel pumps
EGR and DPF systems
Aftertreatment systems (ATS)

An aftertreatment system failure can cost upwards of $12,000 when not covered by warranty.

Understanding warranty deductibles

A deductible is the amount you pay before coverage kicks in. While a $200–$300 deductible might seem low, repeated breakdowns can quickly drive up your total cost. Choose a plan with a manageable deductible relative to your risk tolerance.

Aggregate limits: how much will your warranty actually cover?

Some warranties have aggregate limits – a cap on the total amount paid during the warranty term. Others may cap payouts per component, potentially leaving you responsible for thousands in uncovered costs.

A catastrophic engine failure today can cost more than $35,000.

Many warranty companies have aggregate limits on the ATS and will only cover $8,000, leaving you liable for the extra $4,000.

Seek warranties with no aggregate claims limits for full protection.

Progressive damage protection

Progressive damage occurs when the failure of one component directly leads to damage in other, interconnected parts of your semi truck. Not all used truck warranties cover these cascading costs, but for true peace of mind and financial protection, they absolutely should.

In the complex machinery of a commercial vehicle, components often work in tandem. A seemingly minor failure in one part can have a domino effect, leading to far more extensive and expensive repairs than the initial issue would suggest. For instance, the most common examples of progressive damage are when the fuel pump fails and takes out the engine bearings, which can lead to a full engine replacement, or, when the fuel injectors fail and contaminate the aftertreatment system, leading to ATS failure. These scenarios are not uncommon, and they represent the kind of high-cost, unexpected repairs that can severely impact an owner-operator's livelihood or a fleet's budget.

These situations often result in repairs costing anywhere from $10,000 to $35,000, quickly depleting emergency funds and causing significant downtime. Without progressive damage protection in your used truck extended warranty, you could find yourself paying for the initial component failure and then facing another massive bill for the subsequent damage it caused. This is where the true value of a comprehensive commercial truck warranty becomes evident.

When evaluating used truck warranties, it is absolutely critical to confirm whether progressive damage is explicitly included in the coverage. This is especially vital when it comes to sophisticated and expensive systems like the aftertreatment system (ATS), where a single part failure can contaminate or destroy multiple other components. A semi truck extended warranty that offers this type of protection provides an invaluable safeguard against the most financially devastating breakdowns, ensuring that you're truly covered for the full scope of a mechanical failure, not just its starting point.

Nationwide repair access

Having nationwide repair access for your semi truck warranty is paramount for any over-the-road driver. When your livelihood depends on consistently covering long distances, unexpected mechanical issues can arise anywhere. Imagine being hundreds or thousands of miles from your home base and experiencing a breakdown. Without a used truck warranty that provides nationwide repair access, you could face significant challenges.

First, you might struggle to find a repair facility that accepts your specific commercial truck warranty, leading to lengthy delays while you search for an authorized service center. Second, even if you find one, there's a risk of your claim being denied if the facility isn't within your warranty provider's approved network. This can result in substantial out-of-pocket expenses, forcing you to pay for costly repairs yourself, which directly impacts your bottom line.

A semi truck extended warranty with nationwide repair access ensures that no matter where you are in North America, you can get your truck serviced by certified professionals, minimizing downtime and protecting your income. This widespread coverage offers peace of mind, allowing you to focus on your routes rather than worrying about where your next repair will be handled or if your used truck extended warranty will be honored. It's an essential component for any successful and stress-free over-the-road trucking operation.

SelecTrucks warranty programs: industry-leading protection

SelecTrucks offers several warranty plans to protect your used Freightliner or Western Star truck investment. These warranties are OEM-backed, recognized for their transparency, and serviced through a nationwide Freightliner dealer network.

90-day buyer’s assurance

Included with every qualifying used truck at no extra cost, this warranty provides short-term coverage where others don’t:

Turbochargers
Actuators and VPODs
Diesel particulate filter (DPF)
Exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) cooler and valve

90-Day Buyer's Assurance Warranty

Select limited warranty: built for business owners

Available for up to 48 months or 400,000 miles, the Select Limited Warranty provides unmatched value and extensive component protection.

Why it’s the best in the used truck market:

$0 deductible
OEM-backed support
No aggregate claims limit
Progressive damage coverage
Includes ATS component failures
Serviced at over 400 Freightliner locations

Select Warranty

Aftertreatment system warranty

Given how often the aftertreatment system (ATS) fails and how prohibitively expensive it is to repair, SelecTrucks offers a dedicated commercial truck warranty specifically for the ATS. This specialized semi truck warranty is designed to shield you from one of the most common and costly breakdowns in modern diesel engines.

The ATS is a complex system crucial for meeting emissions standards, but its intricate components are highly susceptible to issues, often resulting in significant downtime and repair bills that can reach well into the thousands of dollars. An ordinary used truck warranty might not offer comprehensive coverage for these critical parts, leaving owner-operators and fleet managers vulnerable to unexpected financial burdens.

Our dedicated ATS warranty, typically covering 12 months or 100,000 miles, provides extensive protection for the following key components:

ATS injector: Essential for introducing Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) into the system.
DOC (Diesel Oxidation Catalyst) and DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter) (including progressive damage): These are vital for reducing harmful emissions. Progressive damage coverage is especially important here, as a failure in one part can often lead to damage in another, and this warranty specifically addresses those costly cascading issues.
Header: A critical component within the exhaust system.
Pressure sensors: These monitor the system's performance and alert the driver to potential issues.
DEF tank and doser: The components responsible for storing and injecting DEF.
NOx sensors: Monitor nitrogen oxide levels, crucial for emission control.
SCR catalyst: The Selective Catalytic Reduction catalyst plays a central role in converting harmful pollutants into inert substances.

This focused used truck extended warranty for the ATS demonstrates SelecTrucks' commitment to providing thorough protection where it's needed most. By opting for this specialized coverage, you significantly reduce the financial risk associated with one of the most common and expensive repairs in a used semi truck, ensuring your vehicle remains operational and your business stays profitable. It's a proactive step to safeguard your investment and provide true peace of mind on the road.

Aftertreatment Systems 101

Get help from warranty experts

Choosing the right warranty isn’t always simple, but SelecTrucks makes it easier with expert support from specialists who understand the risks and realities of trucking.

The professionals at SelecTrucks can help. Their warranty specialists are on standby to help you understand how used truck warranties work and assess the best warranty for your situation and used semi truck purchase.

"One of our customers took delivery of a used semi truck from us with the full component warranty. Unfortunately, the truck experienced an aftertreatment system failure. But fortunately, he had the warranty and took his used truck to the Freightliner dealer near the breakdown. The total cost of the repair was over $23,000, but his out-of-pocket expense was just $600. He was back on the road in less than seven days."

Ashley Aandahl, Warranty Specialist, SelecTrucks of Los Angeles

Protect your truck, protect your business

A solid used truck warranty isn’t just about peace of mind – it’s a smart financial decision that shields your business from unexpected repair costs and keeps you operational.

SelecTrucks offers some of the most complete used truck warranty options on the market, backed by Freightliner and designed specifically for commercial truck buyers like you.

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