Certified Pre Owned Cars Used Does Not Mean Abused 2

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Written by Jimmy D. Moody
Monday, 09 February 2009

Among the manufacturers offering CPO vehicles, some really stand out. These include:

• Acura: In addition to a 12 month/12,000 mile "bumper to bumper" warranty that covers just about everything, those who purchase Acura CPO vehicles also get a seven year/100,000 mile powertrain warranty that covers the engine and transmission. Acura also offers a three day return proviso that lets you back out of a deal if you decide the car is not for you. (Saturn also offers a no hassle return policy, plus a 15,000 mile trade in policy.)

• Honda: It's no surprise that Honda, known for being bulletproof and endlessly reliable, feels confident backing its CPO vehicles with both a 12 month/12,000 mile bumper to bumper warranty and a powertrain warranty of seven years/100,000 miles.

• Infiniti: Nissan's luxury line matches Honda with a similar 12 month/12,000 mile bumper to bumper deal on its CPO vehicles as well as a very comfy seven year/100,000 mile powertrain deal.

• Volvo: Buyers get the security of a six year/100,000 mile warranty; this is one of the best CPO warranties currently available.

• BMW: This company backs its CPO vehicles with an impressive 24 month/50,000 mile warranty that picks up at the end of the original four year/50,000 mile new car warranty.

• Lexus: Lexus CPO vehicles are warranted for three years from purchase, or 100,000 miles, whichever comes first. Lexus also offers special manufacturer backed financing and interest rates.

• Volkswagen: This automaker gives its CPO buyers a strong initial, bumper to bumper warranty of two years/24,000 miles (most are just 12,000 miles), and transfers the remaining balance of the original five year/50,000 mile new car warranty. Be aware, though, that you could be out of coverage very quickly if the vehicle you are about to buy already has close to 40,000 miles on it.

• Hyundai: CPO Hyundai vehicles are sold with a six year/75,000 mile warranty on the powertrain.

• Chrysler: As part of continuing efforts to restore buyer faith in Chrysler branded vehicles (there were some quality control issues in the mid 1990s) this automaker recently announced an eight year/80,000 mile CPO warranty that runs from the original sales date. (The key thing with these vehicles is to find one with under 40,000 miles so as to maximize the time element of the warranty. Do your math, too, and figure how many miles you typically drive each year so you can figure what the "real world" duration of your warranty is likely to be.)

• Jaguar: Another pretty safe bet in a near new luxury vehicle. Jaguar offers a six year/100,000 mile CPO deal, along with special finance rates which can be a very big deal on a used car; always keep that in mind when shopping.

You will pay a little more for the security of acquiring a CPO vehicle between a couple hundred bucks and $1,000 or so than for a used car that isn't certified and is sold "as is" or with what's left of the original new car warranty (your only insurance against inheriting someone else's problem), if it's transferable. Since even a brake job can cost several hundred dollars easily on a late model car or truck, the extra cost for a CPO vehicle seems like a smart bet no matter how you look at it.

Last Updated ( Monday, 09 February 2009 )

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