Warranty Policy
We stand behind every job. Here's exactly what's covered, what's not, and how to make a claim.
1. Warranty Coverage Overview
Ditch The Shop offers two levels of warranty coverage depending on who supplies the parts:
Our Parts
12 months / 12,000 miles — parts and labor
- Covers both parts and labor for 12 months or 12,000 miles, whichever comes first
- Parts sourced by Ditch The Shop — OEM-equivalent or better
- If the repair fails due to defective parts or workmanship, we come back and fix it at no charge
- Replacement parts under warranty receive a new 12-month / 12,000-mile coverage period
- Applies to all services: brakes, oil changes, batteries, alternators, starters, spark plugs, diagnostics, suspension, and all other repairs
Your Parts
3 months — labor only
- Covers labor for 3 months from the date of service
- Parts are not covered — part defects or failures are the responsibility of the customer and the part manufacturer
- If the repair fails due to our workmanship within 3 months, we come back and redo the labor at no charge
- If the failure is caused by a defective customer-supplied part, additional labor to re-do the job will be billed at standard rates
- We strongly recommend using our parts for full coverage and peace of mind
Want full 12-month / 12,000-mile coverage? Let us source the parts. We use OEM-equivalent or better on every job, and everything is covered — parts and labor — for a full year.
2. What's Covered
The warranty covers defects in parts supplied by Ditch The Shop and defects in workmanship performed by our technicians. Specifically:
- Brake repair: Brake pads, rotors, calipers, brake hardware, brake fluid flush — covered for premature wear, failure, noise, or vibration caused by defective parts or improper installation
- Oil change: Oil leaks caused by improper drain plug installation, filter failure, or incorrect oil specification — covered. Does not cover engine wear or pre-existing conditions
- Battery replacement: Battery failure, charging issues, or installation defects — covered. Subject to the battery manufacturer's warranty if the battery itself fails
- Alternator replacement: Alternator failure, charging system issues caused by defective part or installation — covered
- Starter replacement: Starter failure, no-crank conditions caused by defective part or installation — covered
- Spark plugs: Misfire, rough idle, or performance issues caused by defective plugs or incorrect gapping/installation — covered
- Diagnostics: If a diagnostic reading leads to an incorrect repair recommendation by our technician, we will re-diagnose and correct at no charge
- Suspension: Strut, shock, ball joint, tie rod, or control arm failure caused by defective parts or installation — covered
3. What's Not Covered
The warranty does not cover:
- Normal wear and tear: Brake pads, rotors, and other wear items naturally degrade over time with use. Gradual wear within normal operating parameters is not a defect
- Damage from accidents, collisions, or road hazards: Potholes, curb strikes, debris damage, flood damage, or any external impact
- Modifications or aftermarket alterations: If the vehicle has been modified in a way that affects the repaired component (lifted suspension, oversized tires, performance modifications, etc.)
- Neglect or abuse: Operating the vehicle in conditions that exceed the component's design limits, ignoring warning signs, or failing to maintain the vehicle per manufacturer recommendations
- Work performed by others: If another mechanic or shop works on the same component after our repair, the warranty is voided for that component
- Pre-existing conditions: Issues present before our service that were not part of the scope of work — including rust, corrosion, electrical problems, or mechanical wear unrelated to our repair
- Consequential or incidental damages: Towing costs, rental car expenses, lost wages, or any indirect costs resulting from a warranty-covered failure
- Customer-supplied parts that fail: If you provided your own parts and the part itself fails (not our installation), the part replacement and associated labor are not covered
4. Warranty Period
Ditch The Shop parts: Coverage begins on the date of service and extends for 12 months or 12,000 miles, whichever comes first. The mileage is measured from the odometer reading recorded at the time of service.
Customer-supplied parts: Labor-only coverage begins on the date of service and extends for 3 months. No mileage limit applies to the labor-only warranty.
If a warranty repair is performed, the replacement parts and labor receive a new warranty period starting from the date of the warranty repair. This applies only to the specific component that was replaced under warranty.
5. How to Make a Warranty Claim
If you believe a repair covered by our warranty has failed or is not performing as expected:
- Step 1: Contact us by email at hello@ditchtheshop.com or through our contact form
- Step 2: Describe the issue you're experiencing. Include your name, vehicle information, and the approximate date of the original service
- Step 3: We will review your service records and schedule a warranty inspection at your location — same process as the original repair, we come to you
- Step 4: If the issue is covered under warranty, we perform the repair at no charge. If the issue falls outside warranty coverage, we will explain why and provide a quote for the repair before doing any work
We aim to schedule warranty inspections within 48 hours of your claim. In most cases, the warranty repair is completed during the same visit as the inspection.
6. Warranty Transferability
The warranty is tied to the vehicle, not the owner. If you sell your vehicle during the warranty period, the remaining warranty transfers to the new owner automatically. The new owner can make a warranty claim by contacting us with the vehicle information.
7. Service Records
We maintain records of all services performed, including parts used, mileage at time of service, technician notes, and before-and-after photos. These records are used to verify warranty claims and ensure continuity of service. You may request a copy of your service records at any time by contacting us.
8. Dispute Resolution
If you disagree with a warranty claim decision, we encourage you to contact us directly so we can work toward a resolution. We take warranty claims seriously and want every customer to feel they were treated fairly. If we cannot resolve the dispute informally, the dispute resolution process outlined in our Terms and Conditions will apply.
9. Important Notes
- The warranty is not an extended maintenance plan. It covers defects in parts and workmanship — not routine maintenance or scheduled service intervals
- You are responsible for maintaining your vehicle per the manufacturer's recommended service schedule. Failure to do so may void coverage if the neglect directly caused the failure
- We reserve the right to inspect the failed component before authorizing a warranty repair. In rare cases, we may need to remove a part and examine it to determine the cause of failure
- Warranty repairs are performed by Ditch The Shop technicians only. Having warranty-covered work performed by another shop or mechanic voids the warranty for that component
- This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also have other rights that vary by state
10. Service-Specific Warranty Details
The following details apply to specific services when Ditch The Shop supplies the parts:
- Brake pads (our parts): 12 months / 12,000 miles. Covers premature wear, noise (squealing, grinding), uneven wear, and material defects. Does not cover normal pad wear from regular driving
- Brake rotors (our parts): 12 months / 12,000 miles. Covers warping, premature scoring, cracking, and thickness variation beyond manufacturer specification. Does not cover surface rust (cosmetic) or damage from worn-out pads that were not replaced
- Oil change (our oil and filter): 12 months / 12,000 miles. Covers leaks from the drain plug or oil filter caused by improper installation. Does not cover engine wear, sludge from missed prior oil changes, or consumption due to pre-existing conditions
- Battery (our battery): 12 months / 12,000 miles on installation labor. Battery itself carries the manufacturer's warranty (typically 2-3 years pro-rated). If the battery fails within 12 months and is covered by the manufacturer warranty, we handle the replacement at no additional labor cost
- Alternator (our part): 12 months / 12,000 miles. Covers charging failure, bearing noise, and diode failure. Does not cover damage caused by a faulty battery, loose belt, or electrical system issues unrelated to the alternator
- Starter (our part): 12 months / 12,000 miles. Covers no-crank conditions, solenoid failure, and engagement issues. Does not cover damage caused by persistent cranking on a no-start condition or flywheel/flexplate issues
- Spark plugs (our plugs): 12 months / 12,000 miles. Covers misfire, fouling, or cracking caused by defective plugs. Does not cover fouling caused by oil consumption, coolant leaks, or other engine issues unrelated to the plugs themselves
- Suspension components (our parts): 12 months / 12,000 miles. Covers premature failure of struts, shocks, ball joints, tie rods, and control arms. Does not cover damage from potholes, curb strikes, or overloading the vehicle beyond its rated capacity
11. Contact for Warranty Claims
For warranty claims or questions about coverage:
- Email: hello@ditchtheshop.com
- Contact Form: ditchtheshop.com/contact
- Mail: Ditch The Shop LLC, Sioux Falls, SD 57104
We respond to warranty inquiries within 24 hours and aim to schedule inspections within 48 hours.