Shopping for a used car can be a smart financial move, but it often comes with concerns about reliability and potential hidden issues. This is where Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) programs come into play, offering peace of mind by providing vehicles that have been inspected and come with extended warranties. But with so many brands offering CPO programs, the question naturally arises: which car brand offers the best CPO program?
To answer this, it’s crucial to understand what makes a CPO car different from a regular used car. For a vehicle to earn the CPO designation, it must meet specific criteria set by the car manufacturer. These typically include age and mileage limits, along with a rigorous multipoint inspection. The specifics of these requirements, as well as the benefits offered, vary significantly from one car brand to another. Warranty coverage duration, mileage limits, and extra perks like roadside assistance are all determined by the individual carmaker.
To help you navigate this landscape, we’ve compiled a list of CPO programs that stand out in the non-luxury category. By understanding the nuances of each program, you can make a more informed decision and choose a CPO vehicle that offers the best value and protection.
Top Non-Luxury CPO Programs: A Brand-by-Brand Breakdown
1) Hyundai: Leading the Pack in Warranty Coverage
Warranty: Hyundai’s CPO program boasts impressive warranty coverage, including the remainder of the original five-year/60,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty and a class-leading 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty.
Eligibility: To qualify as a Hyundai CPO vehicle, cars must be less than five years old, have fewer than 60,000 miles on the odometer, and possess a clean AutoCheck vehicle history report. Each vehicle also undergoes a thorough 150-point inspection.
Extra Benefits:
- Roadside Assistance: An exceptional 10 years/unlimited miles of roadside assistance.
- Warranty Deductible: A modest $50 deductible for covered warranty repairs.
- SiriusXM Subscription: A complimentary three-month subscription to SiriusXM satellite radio.
- Trip Interruption Reimbursement: Coverage for trip interruption expenses should a covered issue arise far from home.
- Non-transferable Warranty: It’s important to note that the CPO warranty is non-transferable to subsequent private buyers.
Expert Insight: Edmunds highlights Hyundai’s CPO program as exceeding the typical non-luxury standard, which often provides only seven years of powertrain coverage from the original purchase date. Hyundai extends this by three years and also surpasses the average bumper-to-bumper coverage. With the exception of its partner brand Kia, Hyundai’s CPO warranty is unmatched in the non-luxury segment.
2) Kia: Matching Hyundai’s Powertrain Promise
Warranty: Kia mirrors Hyundai’s impressive 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, which is described as encompassing “almost all assemblies” in the vehicle, starting from the CPO purchase date.
Eligibility: Similar to Hyundai, Kia CPO vehicles must be under five years old with less than 60,000 miles. They also undergo a rigorous 164-point inspection and must have a clean AutoCheck vehicle history report.
Extra Benefits:
- Roadside Assistance: Matching Hyundai with 10 years/unlimited miles of roadside assistance.
- Warranty Deductible: A $50 deductible for warranty repairs.
- Transferable Warranty: A significant advantage over Hyundai, Kia’s CPO warranty is transferable to a private-party buyer, enhancing resale value.
- Trip Interruption Reimbursement: Provides reimbursement for trip interruption costs.
Expert Insight: Edmunds points out the powertrain warranty parity with Hyundai, ensuring long-term coverage for major engine and transmission components. While Kia’s comprehensive “Platinum” coverage is limited to one year, this aligns with the typical non-luxury CPO program duration. Kia’s 164-point inspection slightly exceeds Hyundai’s 150-point process, potentially offering a more thorough assessment.
3) Honda and Mazda (Tie): Solid All-Around CPO Programs
Warranty: Honda and Mazda’s CPO programs offer a seven-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty from the vehicle’s original purchase date. They also include one year or 12,000 miles of bumper-to-bumper coverage on top of any remaining portion of the original three-year/36,000-mile warranty.
Eligibility: Vehicles eligible for Honda and Mazda CPO programs 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.
Extra Benefits:
- Roadside Assistance: Roadside assistance coverage matches the warranty length, providing peace of mind for the duration of the CPO warranty.
- No Warranty Deductible: No deductible is required for warranty repairs, a customer-friendly feature.
- Transferable Warranty: Both Honda and Mazda CPO warranties are transferable to private-party buyers.
Expert Insight: Edmunds highlights the near-identical benefits of Honda and Mazda’s CPO programs. Their seven-year powertrain coverage surpasses many luxury brands, and the additional year of bumper-to-bumper coverage is more generous than some competitors in the non-luxury segment that offer no additional bumper-to-bumper coverage beyond the original factory warranty. The inclusion of roadside assistance for the warranty duration and the absence of deductibles further enhance the value proposition of these programs, positioning them favorably against brands like Toyota, which offers only one year of roadside assistance in its comparable program.
5) GM Brands (Buick, Chevrolet, and GMC): Unique Exchange Policy
Warranty: CPO vehicles from GM brands (Buick, Chevrolet, and GMC) come with a six-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty from the original purchase date, and one-year/12,000-mile bumper-to-bumper coverage from the used-car purchase date.
Eligibility: To qualify, GM CPO vehicles must be less than five years old, have less than 75,000 miles, and pass a 172-point inspection conducted by GM technicians.
Extra Benefits:
- Roadside Assistance: Roadside assistance is provided for the duration of the warranty coverage.
- No Warranty Deductible: No deductible is required for covered warranty repairs.
- Transferable Warranty: The CPO warranty is transferable to private-party buyers.
- Complimentary Service Plan: A valuable two-year/24,000-mile complimentary service plan covers two scheduled service visits.
- SiriusXM and OnStar Subscriptions: Includes three-month trial subscriptions to SiriusXM satellite radio and GM’s OnStar service.
- Alternate Transportation: GM provides alternate transportation if your CPO vehicle requires warranty repairs, either through a loaner vehicle or rental car reimbursement.
- Exchange Policy: A standout perk is GM’s exchange policy, allowing you to exchange your CPO vehicle within three days and 150 miles for another vehicle of equal value if you are not satisfied.
Expert Insight: While Edmunds acknowledges that GM’s warranty coverage is slightly shorter than some competitors offering seven-year powertrain warranties, the CPO program includes a noteworthy benefit: the vehicle exchange policy. This unique feature provides an added layer of buyer confidence and distinguishes GM’s CPO program.
Conclusion: Choosing the Right CPO Program for You
Determining the “best” CPO program ultimately depends on your individual needs and priorities. However, based on warranty coverage and overall benefits, Hyundai and Kia stand out for their exceptional powertrain warranties and comprehensive roadside assistance. Honda and Mazda offer well-rounded programs with strong powertrain coverage and transferable warranties. GM brands provide a solid package with the unique addition of a vehicle exchange policy.
When considering which car brand offers the best CPO program, carefully evaluate the warranty terms, extra benefits, and eligibility requirements of each brand to make the most informed decision for your used car purchase. By doing your research, you can drive away with a CPO vehicle that offers both reliability and valuable peace of mind.
