Dockline Blog

When you are shopping for a new product that incorporates sophisticated technology, whether it is as big as a pickup truck or as small as a fitness watch, it’s important to check the warranty terms prior to purchase. Today’s advanced outboard, sterndrive and inboard engines are no exception.

Most high-tech items come with a limited warranty that covers their components against any failures resulting from defects in the materials they are made from or the manufacturer’s workmanship for a specified length of time. These warranties are called “limited” because any product failures that are due to abuse, neglect, lack of maintenance or using the product in a way the manufacturer did not intend are not covered by the warranty and are the responsibility of the owner.

A typical length of time for a limited warranty is one year from the date of purchase. Mercury Marine offers a three-year limited warranty for recreational users on most of its outboard, sterndrive and diesel engines. This shows the confidence Mercury has in the quality of its products and in its manufacturing processes. At Mercury Marine, every engine is operated and tested before it is boxed for shipment to make sure it is ready for use.

When you are shopping for a new marine engine, it is important to keep in mind that its limited warranty is only in force once the engine is properly registered with the manufacturer. Most factory-authorized boat and engine dealers will take care of registering outboards, sterndrives and inboard engines for their customers upon purchase.

The Mercury Limited Warranty gives you access to Mercury’s vast network of more than 3,600 authorized dealers and service providers in the United States and Canada. They take care of any warranty claims quickly and conveniently for Mercury customers.

“Mercury stands by their products,” said Katie Libera, of Water Werks Boat Sales, a Mercury Authorized Dealer in Country Club Hills, Illinois. “They have really come through for customers, especially with the recent supply chain issues. They do everything they can to get customers back on the water as fast as possible.”

With customers who operate their boats in saltwater in mind, Mercury also provides the Mercury Limited Corrosion Warranty for many of its new recreational engines that warrants they will not be rendered inoperative as a direct result of corrosion for the time specified by the company’s warranty chart. In some cases, the Mercury Limited Corrosion Warranty term extends beyond the expiration date of the engine’s main Mercury Limited Warranty.

The Mercury Limited Corrosion Warranty coverage also is termed “limited” because it does not cover corrosion resulting from damage caused by abuse or improper service. All corrosion-prevention devices specified in the engine’s Operation and Maintenance Manual must be in use on the boat, and routine maintenance (including the replacement of sacrificial anodes, use of specified lubricants, and touch-up of nicks and scratches) must be performed according to the schedule in the manual to maintain warranty coverage. There are other exceptions to the Mercury Limited Corrosion Warranty as well. Your Mercury dealer can provide a list.

When you purchase a new marine engine through a Mercury Authorized Dealer, you also will be given the opportunity to purchase a factory-backed extended service contract for the engine, known as Mercury Product Protection (MPP). On the day the Mercury Limited Warranty for the engine expires, the MPP will take effect, providing up to an additional five years of coverage for expenses related to defects in the engine’s materials or original factory workmanship.

“The technology in outboard motors has become really expensive. Purchasing an MPP policy for your engine can cost less than the price of a replacement part,” Libera added.

Mercury offers two levels of Mercury Product Protection – Gold and Platinum. Both provide up to five years of extended coverage for mechanical failures caused by a defect in materials or workmanship, much like the original Mercury Limited Warranty.

The Platinum-level MPP also covers qualified failures of the electrical systems and engine-related accessories.

“It’s more comprehensive,” said Luke Vosters, of Ken’s Sports, Inc., a Mercury Authorized Dealer in Kaukauna, Wisconsin.

Customers who purchase Gold or Platinum MPP coverage can take advantage of factory-authorized service and receive genuine Mercury or Quicksilver® replacement parts during the entire coverage period. MPP is “non-declining coverage,” meaning the value of the coverage does not decrease over the life of the contract. 

What’s more, MPP is transferable to subsequent owners of the engine, which typically will increase its resale value. 

It’s important to note that Mercury Product Protection must be purchased before the original Mercury Limited Warranty on the engine expires. Both Vosters and Libera reported that many of their customers add MPP at the time they buy their new Mercury engine.

“The customers I speak with think highly of Mercury,” Vosters said. “They want to have factory-backed coverage for the full eight years.”

Mercury Marine’s robust warranty coverage helps ensure that if you properly maintain your engine and treat it with TLC, you will be able to enjoy your time on the water with confidence and peace of mind for many years to come.

For more information on the Mercury Limited Warranty, ask your Mercury Authorized Dealer, or click here. To learn more about Mercury Product Protection, click here

Editor's Note: This blog was originally published in July 2017 and has been completely revamped and updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness.