Prepaid car maintenance plans can cover the cost of routine maintenance services like oil changes, filter changes, inspections and belt replacements.
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Brogan Woodburn is a seasoned automotive writer who specializes in auto insurance, shipping, warranties and loans. He’s based in Prineville, Ore., where he enjoys playing guitar and hiking in the high desert.
RaShawn Mitchner is a MarketWatch Guides team senior editor covering personal finance topics and insurance. She’s spent over a decade writing and editing articles about how to save money on travel, entertainment, household services and more.
A prepaid car maintenance plan can help protect your vehicle just as much as the best car warranty . The difference is that prepaid car maintenance is preventative, whereas a warranty helps cover costs associated with unexpected breakdowns. In this article, we at the MarketWatch Guides team will explain what a prepaid car maintenance plan is, how it works and whether or not it’s the right choice for you.
Key TakeawaysThe MarketWatch Guides Team is committed to providing reliable information to help you make the best possible decision about a warranty for your vehicle. Because consumers rely on us to provide objective and accurate information, we created a comprehensive rating system to formulate our rankings of the best extended car warranty companies. We collected data on dozens of auto warranty providers to grade the companies on a wide range of ranking factors. After 500 hours of research, the end result was an overall rating for each provider, with the companies that scored the most points topping the list.
Prepaid car maintenance plans are contracts that cover regularly scheduled maintenance for your vehicle. Some manufacturers and car warranty providers offer these maintenance programs in addition to vehicle service contracts. These plans cover services like oil changes, tire rotations and serpentine belt replacements.
Most automakers offer different tiers of prepaid vehicle maintenance plans. Some plans are designed specifically for new vehicles, while others cover maintenance services for certified pre-owned and used cars. In most cases, you can select from a range of plan terms to be covered up to a specific mileage amount.
Common services covered under these plans include:
The table below lists prepaid maintenance plans from various car manufacturers.
| Automaker | Prepaid Maintenance Plan | Plan Details | Plan Terms | What It Covers |
| Audi | Audi Care (2020 and newer) | Designed for Audi vehicles with model year 2020 and newer | Range from 10,000 miles to 80,000 miles | Engine oil and filter changes, multi-point inspections, tire rotations and routine maintenance services listed in the owner’s manual |
| Audi Care (2017 to 2019) | Designed for Audi vehicles with model years 2017, 2018 and 2019 | Range from 20,000 miles to 90,000 miles | Engine oil and filter changes, multi-point inspections, tire rotations and routine maintenance services listed in the owner’s manual | |
| Audi Care (2010 to 2016) | Designed for Audi vehicles with model years from 2010 to 2016 | Range from 35,000 miles to 85,000 miles | Engine oil and filter changes, multi-point inspections, tire rotations and routine maintenance services listed in the owner’s manual | |
| Lexus | Lexus Luxury Care | Designed for new Lexus vehicles | Range from 2 years/20,000 miles to 5 years/90,000 miles | Engine oil and filter changes, multi-point inspections, tire rotations and routine maintenance services listed in the owner’s manual |
| Mazda | PPM Gold | For new, certified pre-owned or used Mazda vehicles | Range from one to four years | Engine oil and filter changes, multi-point inspections, tire rotations and routine maintenance services listed in the owner’s manual |
| PPM Platinum | For new, certified pre-owned or used Mazda vehicles | Range from one to five years | Engine oil and filter changes, multi-point inspections, tire rotations and routine maintenance services listed in the owner’s manual | |
| Toyota | Toyota Care Plus | Designed for cars with 31,000 miles or less | Range between 3 years/35,000 miles to 5 years/75,000 miles | Engine oil and filter changes, multi-point inspections, tire rotations and routine maintenance services listed in the owner’s manual |
| Toyota Auto Care | Designed for used Toyota vehicles | 4 years/55,000 miles | Oil and filter changes, inspections and recommended routine maintenance services | |
| Volkswagen | Volkswagen Care Basic | Designed for 2017 to 2019 model years | Up to 20,000 miles | Manufacturer-recommended scheduled maintenance services |
| Volkswagen Care Extra | Designed for model year 2014 and newer (except Routan) | Up to 30,000 miles | Manufacturer-recommended scheduled maintenance services | |
| Volkswagen Care 40–100 Plans | Designed for model year 2014 and newer (except Routan) | 10,000-mile maintenance intervals from 40,000 to 100,000 miles | Manufacturer-recommended scheduled maintenance services |
