Things You Should Know About CPO

Manufacturer certified pre-owned (CPO) programs are designed to give buyers the chance to purchase a used car with complete confidence by offering some or all of the following benefits:

-Strict qualification guidelines
-Comprehensive vehicle inspections
-Extended warranties
-Roadside assistance
-Rental car coverage in the case of mechanical failure
-Trip interruption reimbursement in the case of mechanical failure

Certification Process

Most automakers will not certify a vehicle that is more than a few years old or has excessive mileage. And every certified used vehicle undergoes a full inspection by an authorized dealer. If necessary, the vehicle will be re-conditioned to meet certification standards, and the buyer will be informed about any work that was done.

Warranty Coverage

Typically, any remaining coverage under the new vehicle warranty will transfer to a certified pre-owned car, and nearly all automakers extend this warranty as part of the certified pre-owned service. But the length of warranty coverage can vary greatly between programs; visit the manufacturer's Web site or talk to a certified dealer to learn more about the details of each program.

Emergency Services

Luxury automakers are more likely than non-luxury brands to offer extra perks like emergency roadside assistance and rental car reimbursement, but more and more manufacturers are expanding their certified pre-owned benefits as these programs grow in popularity. Some brands even offer trip interruption reimbursement for hotel and meal costs in the unlikely case that the driver is stranded due to mechanical failure.

Value

Certified pre-owned vehicle programs allow buyers to avoid the significant depreciation cost that occurs during the first couple years of new car ownership, while still enjoying the reassurance that comes with buying a new vehicle. This is why shoppers should expect to pay more for a certified pre-owned vehicle than they would for one that hasn't been certified. The price increase typically ranges from around $1,000 for non-luxury makes to nearly $3,000 for luxury brands.