Considering a used car purchase? A Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) vehicle offers enhanced peace of mind compared to a standard used car. To earn the CPO designation, cars must meet specific criteria set by the manufacturer, including age and mileage limits, and pass a rigorous inspection. The specifics of these programs, including warranty length, mileage coverage, and additional benefits, vary significantly from one automaker to another. To simplify your research, we’ve compiled a list of ten standout CPO programs, categorized into non-luxury and luxury brands for easier comparison.
Top Non-Luxury CPO Programs
1) Hyundai
Warranty: Hyundai’s CPO program boasts impressive warranty coverage. It includes the remainder of the original five-year/60,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty and extends the powertrain warranty to an exceptional 10 years/100,000 miles. Eligibility: To qualify as a Hyundai CPO vehicle, the car must be less than five years old, have fewer than 60,000 miles, and possess a clean AutoCheck vehicle history report. Each vehicle undergoes a thorough 150-point inspection.
Perks:
Roadside Assistance: Enjoy comprehensive roadside assistance for an extensive 10 years with unlimited mileage.
Warranty Repair Deductible: A modest $50 deductible applies to warranty repairs.
Transferability: Please note that the CPO warranty is non-transferable to subsequent private owners.
SiriusXM Radio: New CPO owners receive a complimentary three-month subscription to SiriusXM satellite radio.
Trip Interruption Reimbursement: Benefit from trip interruption reimbursement should a covered issue arise while traveling.
Expert Insight (Edmunds): “Hyundai’s CPO program significantly surpasses the typical non-luxury offerings. While most competitors provide seven years of powertrain coverage from the original purchase date, Hyundai adds three more years. Their bumper-to-bumper coverage also exceeds the average by a year, and the roadside assistance duration is unmatched. Aside from their partner brand, Kia, no other automaker in this segment provides a superior CPO warranty.”
2) Kia
Warranty: Kia mirrors Hyundai’s robust powertrain warranty, offering the remainder of the original 10-year/100,000-mile coverage. Additionally, Kia provides one year or 12,000 miles of “Platinum” coverage, commencing from the CPO purchase date. This Platinum coverage is comprehensive, encompassing “almost all assemblies” within the vehicle. Eligibility: Kia CPO vehicles must be under five years old, have less than 60,000 miles, pass a rigorous 164-point inspection, and have a clean AutoCheck vehicle history.
Perks:
Roadside Assistance: Enjoy the same exceptional 10-year/unlimited mileage roadside assistance as Hyundai.
Warranty Repair Deductible: A $50 deductible applies to warranty repairs.
Transferability: Unlike Hyundai, Kia’s CPO warranty is transferable to a private-party buyer, enhancing resale value.
Trip Interruption Reimbursement: Similar to Hyundai, Kia offers trip interruption reimbursement.
Expert Insight (Edmunds): “Kia matches Hyundai’s exceptional powertrain warranty, ensuring long-term coverage for critical components. The primary difference lies in the ‘Platinum’ coverage; Kia offers one year of comprehensive coverage, which is standard for non-luxury CPO programs. Kia’s 164-point inspection is slightly more detailed than Hyundai’s 150-point process.”
3) Honda and Mazda (Tie)
Warranty: Honda and Mazda’s CPO programs are remarkably similar. Both offer a seven-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty calculated from the car’s original purchase date. They also provide one-year/12,000-mile bumper-to-bumper coverage, supplementing any remaining coverage from the original three-year/36,000-mile warranty. Eligibility: For both brands, CPO vehicles must be less than six years old and have fewer than 80,000 miles. Honda vehicles undergo a 182-point inspection, while Mazda vehicles receive a 160-point inspection.
Perks:
Roadside Assistance: Roadside assistance coverage matches the warranty length for both Honda and Mazda.
No Warranty Deductible: Neither Honda nor Mazda CPO programs have a deductible for warranty repairs.
Transferability: Both warranties are transferable to private-party buyers.
Expert Insight (Edmunds): “The Honda and Mazda CPO programs are virtually identical in their benefits. The seven-year powertrain warranty exceeds what most luxury brands offer. The additional year of bumper-to-bumper coverage is also competitive within the non-luxury segment, surpassing brands that offer no additional bumper-to-bumper coverage beyond the original factory warranty.
Honda and Mazda’s roadside assistance, mirroring the warranty duration, gives them an edge over competitors like Toyota, which offers only one year of roadside assistance in its otherwise comparable program. The absence of deductibles further enhances the value proposition of both Honda and Mazda CPO programs.”
5) GM Brands (Buick, Chevrolet, and GMC)
Warranty: General Motors (GM) CPO program covers Buick, Chevrolet, and GMC vehicles. It includes a six-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty from the original purchase date and one-year/12,000-mile bumper-to-bumper coverage starting from the used-car purchase date. Eligibility: GM CPO vehicles must be less than five years old, have fewer than 75,000 miles, and pass a 172-point inspection.
Perks:
Roadside Assistance: Roadside assistance coverage is provided for the duration of the warranty.
No Warranty Deductible: There is no deductible for warranty repairs under the GM CPO program.
Transferability: The warranty is transferable to private-party buyers.
Complimentary Service Plan: GM offers a unique perk: a two-year/24,000-mile complimentary service plan covering two scheduled service visits.
SiriusXM and OnStar: New CPO owners receive three-month subscriptions to both SiriusXM satellite radio and GM’s OnStar service.
Alternate Transportation: Should your CPO vehicle require warranty repairs, GM provides alternate transportation, either through a loaner vehicle from the dealership or reimbursement for rental car costs.
Expert Insight (Edmunds): “While GM’s warranty coverage is slightly shorter than some competitors, offering six years compared to seven, their CPO program includes a noteworthy benefit: a vehicle exchange policy. If you are not satisfied with your purchase, you can exchange it within three days and 150 miles for another vehicle of equal value. This provides an added layer of purchase confidence.”
