What Does Certified Pre-Owned Mean?

Used car shoppers in need of reassurance might want to spring for a certified pre-owned vehicle, which features excellent service history, warranties, and perks.

Sami Haj-Assaad | 

May 17, 2022 | 7 min read

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Buying a used car can be a stressful experience—between maintenance worries, history, questionable service records, and getting caught up in some kind of fraud, the purchasing process often feels overwhelming. To ease these concerns, many automakers offer certified pre-owned programs that meld the new-car and used-car buying experiences.

A certified pre-owned (CPO) vehicle is vetted by a dealership, meaning it receives a thorough inspection, comes with a clean accident and title history, and has limited mileage. One benefit of buying CPO cars is that they come with additional coverage in the form of extended warranties and perks like roadside assistance, which usually lasts as long as the vehicle is covered by a warranty.

Advantages of Buying a CPO Car

CPO cars generally are less expensive than new cars and are better documented than other used cars. Purchasing a CPO vehicle gives you a robust support system—including a warranty, service history, and proof of inspection.

In terms of value, a two-year-old CPO vehicle is about 25% cheaper than a similar new model, while a four-year-old CPO car is usually about 40% less expensive than a new one.

That said, a CPO car generally costs more than a non-certified used car—sometimes thousands of dollars more. But that doesn’t take into account the cost of a pre-purchase inspection, which most buyers of non-certified used cars are advised to get. Nor does it include the price and inconvenience of potential repairs and maintenance, all of which would already have been addressed in a CPO car. The extra peace of mind that comes with a certified pre-owned vehicle can be well worth the cost.

Which Company Has the Best Certified Pre-Owned Program?

Each automaker has a distinct pre-owned program, with the biggest differences being the warranty, as well as the age and mileage limits for eligible vehicles. Pay close attention to the warranty details. Some start at the time the CPO vehicle is purchased or after the original new-vehicle warranty expires (whichever occurs later). Other warranties are based on when the vehicle was first sold as a new car. Here’s a quick look at the basics of every automaker’s CPO program.

Acura Certified Pre-Owned Program (Precision Certified)

Eligible Vehicles: Less than 6 years old with a maximum of 80,000 miles
Inspection: 182-point inspection
Warranty: 2-year/100,000-mile, bumper-to-bumper, original powertrain warranty extended to 7 years/100,000 miles
Perks: Roadside assistance, first maintenance service visit is complimentary, concierge access, trip-interruption reimbursement

Alfa Romeo Certified Pre-Owned Program

Eligible Vehicles: Less than 5 years old with a maximum of 50,000 miles
Inspection: 169-point inspection
Warranty: Original bumper-to-bumper warranty extended to 5 years/100,000 miles
Perks: Roadside assistance, rental-car reimbursement, loaner vehicles

Audi Certified Pre-Owned Program

Eligible Vehicles: Less than 5 years old with a maximum of 60,000 miles
Inspection: 300-point inspection
Warranty: 1-year/unlimited-mileage, bumper-to-bumper
Perks: Roadside assistance

BMW Certified Pre-Owned Program

Eligible Vehicles: Less than 6 years old with a maximum of 60,000 miles
Inspection: 360-degree inspection
Warranty: 1-year/unlimited-mileage, bumper-to-bumper
Perks: Roadside assistance, BMW Assist, loaner vehicles

Buick/Chevrolet/GMC Certified Pre-Owned Program

Eligible Vehicles: Less than 6 years old with a maximum of 75,000 miles
Inspection: 172-point inspection
Warranty: 1-year/12,000-mile, bumper-to-bumper, original powertrain warranty extended to 6 years/100,000 miles
Perks: 6 years/100,000 miles roadside assistance, two complimentary scheduled maintenance visits, loaner vehicles, 3-day/150-mile exchange policy

Cadillac Certified Pre-Owned Program

Eligible Vehicles: Less than 7 years old with a maximum of 75,000 miles
Inspection: 172-point inspection
Warranty: 1 year/unlimited mileage, bumper-to-bumper
Perks: Roadside assistance, loaner vehicles or alternative transportation

Chrysler/Dodge/Fiat/Jeep/Ram Certified Pre-Owned Program

Eligible Vehicles: Less than 5 years old with a maximum of 65,000 miles
Inspection: 125-point inspection
Warranty: 3-month/3,000-mile, bumper-to-bumper (repairs require the owner pay a deductible), original powertrain warranty extended to 7 years/100,000 miles
Perks: Roadside assistance, rental-car reimbursement

Ford Certified Pre-Owned Program (Gold Certified)

Eligible Vehicles: Less than 6 years old with a maximum of 80,000 miles
Inspection: 172-point inspection
Warranty: 1-year/12,000-mile, bumper-to-bumper, original powertrain warranty extended to 7 years/100,000 miles
Perks: Roadside assistance, 14-day/1,000-mile money-back guarantee

Genesis Certified Pre-Owned Program

Eligible Vehicles: Less than 5 years old with a maximum of 60,000 miles
Inspection: 191-point inspection
Warranty: Original bumper-to-bumper warranty extended to 6 years/75,000 miles, original powertrain warranty extended to 10 years/100,000 miles
Perks: Roadside assistance, Genesis Connected Services subscription, trip-interruption and rental-car reimbursement

Honda Certified Pre-Owned Program (HondaTrue Certified)

Eligible Vehicles: Less than 5 years old with a maximum of 80,000 miles
Inspection: 182-point inspection
Warranty: Original bumper-to-bumper warranty extended to 4 years/48,000 miles, original powertrain warranty extended to 7 years/100,000 miles
Perks: Roadside assistance, concierge services, trip-interruption coverage, three-day exchange policy, two complimentary oil changes

Hyundai Certified Pre-Owned Program

Eligible Vehicles: Less than 6 years old with a maximum of 80,000 miles
Inspection: 173-point inspection
Warranty: Original 5-year/60,000-mile, bumper-to-bumper, and original 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranties apply
Perks: Roadside assistance, trip-interruption reimbursement

Infiniti Certified Pre-Owned Program

Eligible Vehicles: Less than 5 model years old with a maximum of 60,000 miles
Inspection: 167-point inspection
Warranty: Original powertrain warranty extended to 6 years/75,000 miles for vehicles with less than 15,000 miles; original powertrain warranty extended to 6 years/unlimited miles on vehicles with between 15,000 and 60,000 miles
Perks: Roadside assistance, trip-interruption reimbursement

Jaguar/Land Rover Certified Pre-Owned Program

Eligible Vehicles: Less than 5 years old with a maximum of 60,000 miles
Inspection: 165-point inspection
Warranty: 1-year/unlimited-mile or 2-year/100,000-mile bumper-to-bumper
Perks: Roadside assistance, trip-interruption reimbursement

Kia Certified Pre-Owned Program

Eligible Vehicles: Less than 5 years old with a maximum of 60,000 miles
Inspection: 165-point inspection
Warranty: 1-year/12,000-mile, bumper-to-bumper; original 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty applies
Perks: Roadside assistance, trip-interruption reimbursement

Lexus Certified Pre-Owned Program

Eligible Vehicles: Less than 6 years old with a maximum of 75,000 miles
Inspection: 161-point inspection
Warranty: 2-year/unlimited-mileage, bumper-to-bumper
Perks: 2 years/20,000 miles complimentary maintenance, roadside assistance, loaner vehicles, trip-interruption reimbursement

Lincoln Certified Pre-Owned Program

Eligible Vehicles: Less than 5 years old with a maximum of 60,000 miles
Inspection: 200-point inspection
Warranty: Original bumper-to-bumper warranty extended to 6 years/100,000 miles
Perks: Roadside assistance, loaner vehicles

Mazda Certified Pre-Owned Program

Eligible Vehicles: Less than 5 years old with a maximum of 60,000 miles
Inspection: 160-point inspection
Warranty: 1-year/12,000-mile, bumper-to-bumper; original powertrain warranty extended to 7 years/100,000 miles
Perks: Roadside assistance

Mercedes-Benz Certified Pre-Owned Program

Eligible Vehicles: Less than 6 years old with a maximum of 75,000 miles
Inspection: 165-point inspection
Warranty: 1-year/unlimited-mile, bumper-to-bumper
Perks: Roadside assistance, trip-interruption reimbursement, 7-day/500-mile exchange program

Mini Certified Pre-Owned Program

Eligible Vehicles: Less than 5 years old with a maximum of 60,000 miles
Inspection: 230-point inspection
Warranty: 5-year/unlimited-mile, bumper-to-bumper
Perks: Roadside assistance

Mitsubishi Certified Pre-Owned Program

Eligible Vehicles: Less than 5 years old with a maximum of 60,000 miles
Inspection: 123-point inspection
Warranty: Original 5-year/60,000-mile, bumper-to-bumper, and original 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranties apply
Perks: Roadside assistance

Nissan Certified Pre-Owned Program

Eligible Vehicles: Less than 6 years old with a maximum of 80,000 miles
Inspection: 167-point inspection
Warranty: Original powertrain warranty extended to 7 years/100,000 miles
Perks: Roadside assistance, trip-interruption and rental-car reimbursement

Porsche Certified Pre-Owned Program (Porsche Approved)

Eligible Vehicles: Less than 13 years old with a maximum of 124,000 miles
Inspection: 111-point inspection
Warranty: 2-year/unlimited-mileage, bumper-to-bumper
Perks: Roadside assistance for the duration of the warranty

Subaru Certified Pre-Owned Program

Eligible Vehicles: Less than 5 years old with a maximum of 80,000 miles
Inspection: 152-point inspection
Warranty: Original powertrain warranty extended to 7 years/100,000 miles
Perks: Roadside assistance, $500 owner loyalty coupon, 1-year subscription to Starlink Safety Plus

Toyota Certified Pre-Owned Program

Eligible Vehicles: Less than 7 years old with a maximum of 85,000 miles
Inspection: 160-point inspection
Warranty: 1-year/12,000-mile, bumper-to-bumper; original powertrain warranty extended to 7 years/100,000 miles
Perks: Roadside assistance

Volkswagen Certified Pre-Owned Program

Eligible Vehicles: Less than 6 years old with a maximum of 70,000 miles
Inspection: 100+ point inspection
Warranty: Up to 2-year/24,000-mile, bumper-to-bumper, depending on model year
Perks: Roadside assistance

Volvo Certified Pre-Owned Program

Eligible Vehicles: Less than 5 years old with a maximum of 80,000 miles
Inspection: 170-point inspection
Warranty: Original bumper-to-bumper warranty extended to 5 years/unlimited miles
Perks: Roadside assistance, 1-year subscription to Volvo Cars app

Sami Haj-Assaad

Sami Haj-Assaad is an award-winning automotive journalist who has contributed to several automotive, electric vehicle, luxury lifestyle, and technology publications. His work isn't just limited to the written word, as he's also hosted YouTube videos and podcasts. Having grown up in the '90s, he has a strong sense of attachment to that era's style, though he also loves to geek out about the modern, futuristic tech and powertrains rolling out today.