When buying a used car from a private seller, or from a dealership other than the manufacturers, how can you make sure the factory warranty will be honored? A friend has an '08 STi for sale and I want to make sure Subaru won't tell me the car was abused and not honor the warranty. Can I have them inspect the vehicle prior to me purchasing through a private seller?

 

Call subaru and ask if the factory warranty is transferrable. Most factory warranties are transferrable, provided the car isn't already out of warranty.

You can definitely take the car to subaru for a pre-purchase inspection. That's a very prudent thing to do.

Also, it's probably a good idea to ask subaru about an extended warranty as well, for the extra coverage. You can roll that cost in with the cost of the car.

Edit: typo.

 

Thanks for the info. I heard those cars have black boxes that record info that can void the warranty. I want to make sure I'm starting with a "clean slate" as far as the warranty and ecu are concerned.

 

Then your only option is to take it into your local Subaru stealer and ask. I was under the impression that Subaru was somewhat reasonable with the recorded data (ie. that it could void the factory warranty). They are only protecting the company dime against repairs from abuse rather than manufacturing mistakes, and it would take a significant finding to entirely strip a car of its warranty.

 

Always good to double check, I believe the sub warranties transfer, but yeah, a dealer inspection (typically charge an hour or so).
Like the hyundai 10 year warranty, it doesn't transfer over.