Table of Contents

What "As-Is" Actually Means for Used Car Buyers
Why Many Denver Dealerships Skip the Warranty
What Our Free Warranty Covers
Which Vehicles Qualify for Coverage
What to Ask Before You Buy From Any Dealer
How Vehicle History Reports Work Alongside a Warranty
What Financing Has to Do With Warranty Decisions
Frequently Asked Questions
Contact Us

Some dealerships do. Most don't. A large portion of used car lots in Denver sell vehicles strictly as-is, meaning whatever problem surfaces after you drive away becomes your expense to handle. That's legal in Colorado, and it's common enough that many buyers simply assume warranties aren't part of the used car picture.

As the top car broker in Denver, CO, New Wave Auto Brokers and Sales thinks that assumption deserves a closer look. Select vehicles in our inventory come with a free certified warranty backed by AVP. Our experienced auto broker team will walk you through how that works, which vehicles qualify, and what questions to ask any dealer before you sign so you walk away in a significantly stronger position.

What "As-Is" Actually Means for Used Car Buyers

When a dealer sells a vehicle as-is, they're making no promise about what happens after the transaction is done. If the transmission fails three days after you leave the lot, that repair is on you. In Colorado, this is the standard at a large number of used car lots, and it's one of the reasons first-time buyers and people on a tighter budget can end up in difficult financial situations quickly.

The as-is model isn't always dishonest. Some dealers simply haven't inspected vehicles thoroughly enough to feel confident backing them with coverage. Others price vehicles low specifically because they're selling without any warranty. Either way, understanding the terms before you commit is the difference between a good deal and an expensive mistake.

Why Many Denver Dealerships Skip the Warranty

Offering a warranty requires a dealer to actually know what they're selling. That means putting every vehicle through a real mechanical and safety inspection before it goes on the lot. Not every dealer is willing to do that work, and those who aren't can't credibly back their inventory with coverage.

At our dealership, every vehicle goes through a mechanical and safety inspection before it gets listed. That process is what allows us to stand behind qualifying vehicles with a warranty. We know what's on our lot because we check it before we sell it.

What Our Free Warranty Covers

For select vehicles in our inventory, we include a free certified warranty backed by AVP. The coverage is specific and documented in writing as part of your purchase paperwork, so there's no ambiguity once you leave.

Covered components include engine internals, the transmission and transfer case, the drive axle, the electrical system, the air conditioning system, and seals and gaskets. Those are the components that, when they fail, tend to produce the largest repair bills. Full details are available on our warranty page.

Which Vehicles Qualify for Coverage

Not every vehicle in our inventory carries the certified warranty, and we're upfront about that from the start. The warranty applies to vehicles that meet the qualification criteria, and coverage runs for 3 months or 3,000 miles from the purchase date, whichever comes first.

Before you finalize a purchase, we confirm in writing whether the specific vehicle qualifies. That confirmation becomes part of your purchase agreement. If a vehicle doesn't qualify, we say so clearly. There's no guessing after the fact.

What to Ask Before You Buy From Any Dealer

Whether you're shopping with us or anywhere else in Denver, a few direct questions will tell you a lot about how a dealer operates. Ask whether the vehicle has been through a mechanical inspection. Ask whether a CARFAX report is available and whether it's provided at no charge.

Ask which specific components a warranty covers and who you'd contact if something fails during the coverage period. If a dealer can't answer those questions plainly, that's meaningful information. Every vehicle in our used car inventory comes with a free CARFAX report and has been inspected before listing.

How Vehicle History Reports Work Alongside a Warranty

A CARFAX report and a warranty aren't the same thing, but they serve complementary purposes. The CARFAX covers the vehicle's past. The warranty addresses what's covered going forward.

A clean CARFAX doesn't guarantee a flawless vehicle, but it eliminates a significant number of unknowns, including prior accident history, title issues, odometer discrepancies, and documented mechanical problems. When a vehicle clears inspection and shows a clean history, offering warranty coverage makes sense for everyone involved. We provide free CARFAX reports on every vehicle we sell, without requiring you to ask for one.

What Financing Has to Do With Warranty Decisions

Some dealers bundle warranty products into financing without making the cost obvious on the front end. Buyers sometimes don't realize they're paying for an extended warranty until they're already reviewing the purchase agreement in the finance office.

At New Wave, the certified warranty on qualifying vehicles is included at no charge. It is not bundled into the financing terms or quietly added to the vehicle price. If you want to consider optional extended coverage beyond what the certified warranty provides, we present that as a separate, clearly priced conversation. Our online pre-approval form gives you a financing baseline before you visit, so that conversation starts with full clarity.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does every used car at New Wave come with a warranty? No. The free certified warranty applies to select qualifying vehicles only. Before you finalize any purchase, we confirm in writing whether the specific vehicle is covered.

What exactly does the warranty cover? Coverage includes engine internals, the transmission and transfer case, the drive axle, the electrical system, the air conditioning system, and seals and gaskets. This is documented in your purchase agreement.

How long does the warranty last? Three months or 3,000 miles from the purchase date, whichever comes first.

Is the warranty free or rolled into the vehicle price? For qualifying vehicles, the warranty is included at no additional charge. It is not added to the vehicle price or bundled into the financing terms.

Who backs the warranty? The warranty is backed by AVP. Details on how to file a claim are included in your purchase paperwork and are also available at our warranty page.

What if the vehicle I want doesn't qualify for warranty coverage? We'll tell you that clearly before you make any decision. Vehicles that don't carry the certified warranty still go through our inspection process and come with a free CARFAX report. You'll know the vehicle's condition and history regardless of warranty status.

Can I apply for financing online before visiting? Yes. Our online pre-approval form takes a few minutes and gives you a clear picture of your financing options before you walk in.