Ultimate Guide to Certified Pre-Owned Warranties (Every Manufacturer)

by Mike Dickson · September 13, 2018

Certified Pre-Owned, or CPO, cars are becoming more and more popular these days. But are they really worth the money?

When you’re shopping for a used car there is always a mental struggle between peace-of-mind and cost. Generally, you pay more for peace-of-mind.

When it comes to CPO warranties every manufacturer is different and honestly, that’s sort of a good thing.

That sounds crazy, but there is one very important thing a car warranty can tell you about a car and that’s how long it will be before you can expect problems.

Manufacturers know what’s up and the car warranty is meticulously calculated to end when they expect the car to begin having issues.

If this surprises you, simply read my post: How Much Do Car Dealerships Make to see what other things the industry does to bleed your wallet.

So, what does a CPO warranty tell you? Well, it tells you how long the manufacturer expects their car to make it before requiring repairs.

That being said, it’s difficult to compare each CPO warranty, so I have compiled them all here for you to make it easier when you’re shopping for your next car.

What does Certified Pre-Owned Mean?

In response to consumers being hesitant to buy vehicles that might have a shady past, automakers crafted the “certified pre-owned” warranty.

It is essentially a car that’s chosen to be “certified” and backed by the manufacturer because it was maintained well and passed some form of inspection.

Usually, there’s a “multi-point” inspection and parts that require repair are replaced. The car is somewhat restored to an “almost new” condition.

Once this is done the manufacturer will extend the warranty and protection for a vehicle against defects and expensive repairs.

Often times dealerships offer other benefits like free loaner vehicles, roadside assistance, and discounts on financing rates or services.

Sounds great, but what’s the catch?

Well, you pay a premium for this. On average, a CPO car goes for around $900 more than its non-CPO counterpart.

On fancier cars, this number can jump as high as $3,000.

Don’t get it twisted, nothing in life is free, you pay for this up front and it’s like an insurance product. It might pay off, it might not.

This is why I say that it boils down to peace-of-mind. But before I go into whether or not you should buy a CPO car let’s get into each manufacturer CPO warranty.

Ford Certified Pre-Owned Warranty Explained

Deductible: $100
Inspection: 172-point
Coverage: 12-month/12,000-mile “Comprehensive Limited Warranty” and 7-year/100,000-mile Powertrain Limited Warranty

Additional Benefits of Ford CPO

Flexible financing offered on CPO vehicles
Up to $500 reimbursement for up to 3 days lodging, meals, and rental vehicle.
$75 for taxi, shuttle, or rental.
Additional $30 per day up to 5 days for rental if overnight repairs are required.

Note- Ford CPO coverage is the same for all vehicles under Lincoln

Ford CPO Coverage Period

12-month/12,000-mile coverage: Expires 12 months or 12,000-miles (whichever comes first), after the expiration of the factory warranty or the date of your CPO purchase (whichever is later).
7-year/100,000-mile warranty expires 7 years from the start date of the original factory warranty or at 100,000-miles, whichever comes first.

Ford Factory Warranty

3-year/36,000-mile basic
5-year/60,000-mile powertrain

GM Certified Pre-Owned Warranty Explained

Deductible: $0
Inspection: 172-point
Coverage: 12-month/12,000-mile “Bumper-to-Bumper Limited Warranty”, 6-year/100,000-mile Powertrain Limited Warranty

Additional Benefits of GM CPO

Low financing for qualified buyers
2-years/24,000 miles scheduled maintenance included
24/7 Roadside Assistance
3-Month OnStar trial and SeriusXM
All open recalls completed prior to certification

GM CPO Coverage Period

12-month/12,000-mile coverage: Expires 12 months or 12,000-miles (whichever comes first), after the expiration of the factory warranty or the date of your CPO purchase (whichever is later).
6-year/100,000-mile warranty expires 6 years from the start date of the original factory warranty or at 100,000-miles, whichever comes first.

GM Factory Warranty

3-year/36,000-mile basic
5-year/60,000-mile powertrain

Note- GM CPO coverage is the same for all vehicles under Chevrolet, GMC, Cadillac and Buick.

Dodge Certified Pre-Owned Warranty Explained

Deductible: $100
Inspection: 125-point
Coverage: 3-month/3,000-mile “Maximum Care Coverage”, 7-year/100,000-mile Powertrain Limited Warranty

Additional Benefits of Dodge CPO

24/7 towing and roadside assistance complimentary
Gas delivery (up two gallons)
Up to $35 per day (max of $175) for car rental if needed
$35 first day rental or taxi allowance
3-month subscription to SiriusXM

Dodge CPO Coverage Period

3-month/3,000-mile coverage: Expires 3 months or 3,000-miles (whichever comes first), after the expiration of the factory warranty or the date of your CPO purchase (whichever is later).
7-year/100,000-mile warranty expires 6 years from the start date of the original factory warranty or at 100,000-miles, whichever comes first.

Dodge Factory Warranty

3-year/36,000-mile basic
5-year/60,000-mile powertrain

Note- Dodge CPO coverage is the same for all vehicles under Dodge, Chrysler, Fiat, Jeep, and Ram.

Toyota Certified Pre-Owned Warranty Explained

Deductible: $0
Inspection: 160-point
Coverage: 12-month/12,000-mile “Comprehensive Warranty” and 7-year/100,000-mile Powertrain Limited Warranty

Additional Benefits of Toyota CPO

New car financing on CPO vehicles
1-year of roadside assistance
Reimbursement for towing to the nearest dealership
Hybrid cars are covered for 8 years

Note- Toyota CPO coverage is the same for all vehicles under Scion

Toyota CPO Coverage Period

12-month/12,000-mile coverage: Expires 12 months or 12,000-miles (whichever comes first), after the expiration of the factory warranty or the date of your CPO purchase (whichever is later).
7-year/100,000-mile warranty expires 7 years from the start date of the original factory warranty or at 100,000-miles, whichever comes first.

Toyota Factory Warranty

3-year/36,000-mile basic
5-year/60,000-mile powertrain

Subaru Certified Pre-Owned Warranty Explained

Deductible: $0
Inspection: 152-point
Coverage: 7-year/100,000-mile Powertrain Limited Warranty

Additional Benefits of Subaru CPO

$500 customer loyalty coupon
24/7 roadside assistance
3-month subscription to SiriusXM
One-year trial subscription to STARLINK

Subaru CPO Coverage Period

7-year/100,000-mile warranty expires 7 years from the start date of the original factory warranty or at 100,000-miles, whichever comes first.

Subaru Factory Warranty

3-year/36,000-mile basic
5-year/60,000-mile powertrain

Mazda Certified Pre-Owned Warranty Explained

Deductible: $0
Inspection: 160-point
Coverage: 12-month/12,000-mile “Comprehensive Warranty” and 7-year/100,000-mile Powertrain Limited Warranty

Additional Benefits of Mazda CPO

9% APR for 36 months
24/7 roadside assistance
3-month subscription to SiriusXM

Mazda CPO Coverage Period

12-month/12,000-mile coverage: Expires 12 months or 12,000-miles (whichever comes first), after the expiration of the factory warranty or the date of your CPO purchase (whichever is later).
7-year/100,000-mile warranty expires 7 years from the start date of the original factory warranty or at 100,000-miles, whichever comes first.

Mazda Factory Warranty

5-year/60,000 miles

Lexus Certified Pre-Owned Warranty Explained

Deductible: $0
Inspection: 161-point
Coverage: 2-years/unlimited mileage

Additional Benefits of Lexus CPO

New car financing on CPO vehicles
Next 4 standard maintenance services covered in-full
24/7 Roadside assistance
Complimentary loaner vehicle

Lexus CPO Coverage Period

2-years/unlimited mileage: Expires 24 months after the expiration of the factory warranty or the date of your CPO purchase (whichever is later).

Lexus Factory Warranty

4-year/50,000-mile basic
6-year/72,000-mile powertrain

Acura Certified Pre-Owned Warranty Explained

Deductible: $0
Inspection: 182-point
Coverage: 12-month/12,000-mile “Comprehensive Warranty” and 7-year/100,000-mile Powertrain Limited Warranty

Additional Benefits of Acura CPO

Financing available through Acura Financial Services
Concierge service – ranges from trip routing to hotel services
24/7 Roadside assistance
Complimentary loaner vehicle

Acura CPO Coverage Period

12-month/12,000-mile coverage: Expires 12 months or 12,000-miles (whichever comes first), after the expiration of the factory warranty or the date of your CPO purchase (whichever is later).
7-year/100,000-mile warranty expires 7 years from the start date of the original factory warranty or at 100,000-miles, whichever comes first.

Acura Factory Warranty

4-year/50,000-mile basic and powertrain

Honda Certified Pre-Owned Warranty Explained

Deductible: $0
Inspection: 182-point
Coverage: 48-month/48,000-mile or 12-month/12,000-mile “Non-Powertrain Coverage” and 7-year/100,000-mile Powertrain Limited Warranty

Additional Benefits of Honda CPO

Concierge emergency services
24/7 Roadside assistance
3-month subscription to SiriusXM

Honda CPO Coverage Period

48-month/48,000-mile coverage: Replaces existing factory warranty if vehicle is still within factory warranty window.
12-month/12,000-mile coverage: Expires 12 months or 12,000-miles (whichever comes first), after the expiration of the factory warranty or the date of your CPO purchase (whichever is later).
7-year/100,000-mile warranty expires 7 years from the start date of the original factory warranty or at 100,000-miles, whichever comes first.

Honda Factory Warranty

3-year/36,000-mile basic
5-year/60,000-mile powertrain

Infiniti Certified Pre-Owned Warranty Explained

Deductible: $0
Inspection: 167-point
Coverage: 6-year/75,000-mile factory warranty, 6-year/unlimited mile warranty, and 2-year/unlimited mile warranty.

Additional Benefits of Infiniti CPO

Complimentary first-year basic maintenance
24/7 Roadside assistance
3-month subscription to SiriusXM
Complimentary loaner vehicle

Infiniti CPO Coverage Period

Vehicles with less than 15,000 miles when certified receive a factory warranty of 6-years/75,000-miles from the vehicle in-service date (the date the car was delivered to the dealership).
Vehicles with more than 15,000 miles, but less are less than 48-months old receive a factory warranty of 6-years/unlimited miles from the vehicle in-service date (the date the car was delivered to a dealership).
Vehicles with more than 15,000 miles that are older than 48-months receive a 2-year/unlimited mileage warranty that begins on the date of the CPO purchase.

Infiniti Factory Warranty

4-year/60,000-mile basic
6-year/70,000-mile powertrain

Land Rover Certified Pre-Owned Warranty Explained

Deductible: $0
Inspection: 165-point
Coverage: 7-year/100,000-mile Limited Warranty

Additional Benefits of Land Rover CPO

Trip interruption coverage
24/7 Roadside assistance
Complimentary loaner vehicle

Lands Rover CPO Coverage Period

7-year/100,000-mile warranty expires 7 years from the start date of the original factory warranty or at 100,000-miles, whichever comes first.

Land Rover Factory Warranty

4-year/50,000-mile basic and powertrain

Jaguar Certified Pre-Owned Warranty Explained

Deductible: $0
Inspection: 165-point
Coverage: 7-year/100,000-mile Limited Warranty

Additional Benefits of Jaguar CPO

Competitive financing on CPO vehicles
24/7 Roadside assistance
Complimentary loaner vehicle

Jaguar CPO Coverage Period

7-year/100,000-mile warranty expires 7 years from the start date of the original factory warranty or at 100,000-miles, whichever comes first.

Jaguar Factory Warranty

4-year/50,000-mile basic and powertrain

Mercedes-Benz Certified Pre-Owned Warranty Explained

Deductible: $0
Inspection: 164-point
Coverage: Remaining factory warranty + 12-months/unlimited miles

Additional Benefits of Mercedes-Benz CPO

New car financing on CPO vehicles
24/7 Roadside assistance
Complimentary loaner vehicle

Mercedes-Benz CPO Coverage Period

12-month/unlimited mileage warranty begins on the date of the original factory warranty expiration or date of CPO purchase, whichever is later.

Mercedes-Benz Factory Warranty

4-year/50,000-mile basic and powertrain

Audi Certified Pre-Owned Warranty Explained

Deductible: $0
Inspection: 300-point
Coverage: Remaining factory warranty + 12-months/unlimited miles

Additional Benefits of Audi CPO

Special financing on CPO vehicles
24/7 Roadside assistance
Complimentary loaner vehicle

Audi CPO Coverage Period

12-month/unlimited mileage warranty begins on the date of the original factory warranty expiration or date of CPO purchase, whichever is later.

Audi Factory Warranty

4-year/50,000-mile basic and powertrain

BMW Certified Pre-Owned Warranty Explained

Deductible: $0
Inspection: “comprehensive”
Coverage: Remaining factory warranty + 12-months/unlimited miles

Additional Benefits of BMW CPO

Special financing on CPO vehicles
24/7 Roadside assistance
Complimentary loaner vehicle

BMW CPO Coverage Period

12-month/unlimited mileage warranty begins on the date of the original factory warranty expiration or date of CPO purchase, whichever is later.

BMW Factory Warranty

4-year/50,000-mile basic and powertrain

Porsche Certified Pre-Owned Warranty Explained

Deductible: $0
Inspection: 111-point
Coverage: 2-years/unlimited miles

Additional Benefits of Porsche CPO

Special financing on CPO vehicles
24/7 Roadside assistance
Complimentary loaner vehicle

Porsche CPO Coverage Period

2 Years / Unlimited Mileage Warranty coverage from the expiration of the new vehicle limited warranty or the date of sale if the new vehicle limited warranty has expired

Porsche Factory Warranty

4-year/50,000-mile basic and powertrain

Who has the Best Certified Pre-Owned Warranty?

Based on the research above I have narrowed it down to two manufacturers whose CPO warranties beat out everyone else’s.

Mazda and Porsche.

I know, opposite ends of the spectrum but let’s talk about why.

Mazda Certified Pro-Owned Warranty

Mazda has a pretty standard CPO warranty that is 12-months/12,000miles or 7-years/100,000-miles depending on whether the car is under factory warranty or not.

But that’s not what makes this so valuable. If you time the purchase right, you can pick up a heavily depreciated CPO Mazda on the cheap.

Then you get that amazing 0.9% APR for 36-months and you are able to finance this car for free basically.

An ideal scenario would be a Mazda with 50,000 miles that is three or four years old. The car will be heavily depreciated.

The CPO warranty would then be in effect for another 50,000 miles or 3-4 years making this extremely valuable when paired with the 36-month financing option.

Porsche Certified Pro-Owned Warranty

On the opposite end of the spectrum is Porsche’s insane warranty which covers the vehicle for 2-years regardless of the miles.

The reason this is so valuable is that most Porsche models become very attainable around the 50,000-mile mark.

However, with maintenance and repairs being a concern there is always a hesitation to buy a Porsche with that many miles.

Now, you can get into one for a reasonable price and enjoy peace-of-mind for two years.

And because of their strong residual value, at the end of the warranty, you could likely trade or sell the car and be out-of-pocket very little.

It’s by far the best luxury option.

When to Buy a CPO Car

If you’re going to buy a used luxury car it’s usually worth it to shell out the cash.

The big luxury brands have obviously colluded and now their CPO warranties aren’t that great, but they do provide peace-of-mind after the vehicle passes 50,000 miles.

In my experience, that’s when you will have issues, so a $0 deductible can go a long way. Plus, a free loaner doesn’t hurt either.