Buying a used car can be a smart way to save money, 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 through manufacturer-backed warranties and inspections. But with so many brands offering CPO programs, the big question is: Who Has The Best Certified Used Car Program?
To answer this, it’s crucial to understand what makes a car “certified.” A CPO vehicle isn’t just any used car. It has to meet specific criteria set by the automaker, including age and mileage limits, and it must pass a rigorous multi-point inspection. The specifics of these requirements, as well as the warranty coverage and extra perks, vary significantly from brand to brand.
This article breaks down some of the top non-luxury CPO programs to help you determine which offers the best value and coverage for your needs. We’ll delve into the details of warranties, benefits, and what makes each program stand out.
Best Non-Luxury CPO Program Leaders
When considering non-luxury brands, several automakers offer compelling CPO programs. Here are some of the leaders, based on warranty coverage, benefits, and overall value:
Hyundai: Leading the Pack with Exceptional Warranty
Hyundai’s CPO program is frequently lauded for its outstanding warranty coverage.
Warranty: Hyundai CPO vehicles benefit from the remainder of the original five-year/60,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty and an impressive 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty. This means you could potentially enjoy years of coverage on crucial components like the engine and transmission.
Eligibility: To become certified, a Hyundai vehicle must be less than 5 years old, have under 60,000 miles, and have a clean AutoCheck vehicle history report. It also undergoes a thorough 150-point inspection to ensure quality.
Extras:
- Roadside Assistance: A standout feature is the 10-year/unlimited miles roadside assistance, providing peace of mind for the long haul.
- Deductible: A modest $50 deductible applies to warranty repairs.
- SiriusXM: Enjoy a three-month subscription to SiriusXM satellite radio.
- Trip Interruption Reimbursement: Helps cover expenses if a breakdown interrupts your travel.
- Non-transferable: Important to note that the CPO benefits are non-transferable to subsequent private buyers.
Edmunds’ Take: Experts at Edmunds highlight Hyundai’s program as exceptional, noting that “a typical non-luxury CPO car has only seven years of powertrain coverage.” Hyundai surpasses this by three years, and also offers better bumper-to-bumper coverage than average. They conclude that “apart from Hyundai’s corporate partner, Kia, no company has a better CPO warranty than Hyundai.”
Kia: Matching Hyundai’s Powertrain Power
Following closely behind Hyundai, Kia offers a CPO program with a similarly impressive powertrain warranty.
Warranty: Kia CPO vehicles inherit the remainder of the original 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty. Additionally, they include one year or 12,000 miles of “Platinum” coverage, which Kia describes as encompassing “almost all assemblies in your vehicle,” starting from the CPO purchase date.
Eligibility: Similar to Hyundai, Kia CPO cars must be less than 5 years old, have under 60,000 miles, and have a clean AutoCheck vehicle history report. Kia’s inspection process is even more extensive, with a 164-point inspection.
Extras:
- Roadside Assistance: Mirroring Hyundai, Kia provides 10-year/unlimited miles roadside assistance.
- Deductible: A $50 deductible is also in place for warranty repairs.
- Transferable: A key difference from Hyundai is that Kia’s CPO benefits are transferable to a private-party buyer, adding resale value.
- Trip Interruption Reimbursement: Like Hyundai, Kia includes trip interruption reimbursement.
Edmunds’ Take: Edmunds points out the powertrain warranty parity between Kia and Hyundai. While Kia only offers one year of comprehensive “Platinum” coverage compared to Hyundai’s potentially longer bumper-to-bumper coverage (depending on the original purchase date), Edmunds notes this is “actually typical for non-luxury CPO programs.” They also highlight Kia’s slightly more rigorous 164-point inspection.
Honda and Mazda (Tie): Solid All-Around Programs
Honda and Mazda offer CPO programs that are virtually identical in their benefits, providing a strong balance of warranty and perks.
Warranty: Both Honda and Mazda CPO programs include a seven-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty from the car’s original purchase date. They also add one-year/12,000-mile bumper-to-bumper coverage on top of any remaining original three-year/36,000-mile warranty.
Eligibility: Honda and Mazda CPO vehicles can be slightly older and have higher mileage limits than Hyundai and Kia, allowing for a broader selection. They must be less than 6 years old and have under 80,000 miles. Inspections are thorough, with 182 points for Honda and 160 points for Mazda.
Extras:
- Roadside Assistance: Honda and Mazda offer roadside assistance for the duration of the warranty, which is a significant benefit.
- No Deductible: A notable advantage is no deductible for warranty repairs with either Honda or Mazda.
- Transferable: Like Kia, both Honda and Mazda CPO benefits are transferable to a private-party buyer.
Edmunds’ Take: Edmunds emphasizes the near-identical nature of the Honda and Mazda programs, highlighting that “the seven years of powertrain coverage is longer than what is offered by most luxury brands.” They also point out that the added bumper-to-bumper coverage is better than some competitors and that the roadside assistance duration surpasses Toyota’s comparable program, especially with the added benefit of no deductibles.
GM Brands (Buick, Chevrolet, and GMC): Comprehensive Perks
General Motors’ CPO program, covering Buick, Chevrolet, and GMC, offers a mix of warranty coverage and unique perks.
Warranty: GM CPO programs provide 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 need to be less than 5 years old and have under 75,000 miles. They undergo a 172-point inspection.
Extras:
- Roadside Assistance: GM provides roadside assistance for the length of the warranty.
- No Deductible: There is no deductible for warranty repairs.
- Transferable: GM CPO benefits are transferable to private buyers.
- Complimentary Service: A valuable perk is a two-year/24,000-mile complimentary service plan, covering two scheduled service visits.
- SiriusXM & OnStar: Enjoy three-month subscriptions to SiriusXM and GM’s OnStar service.
- Alternate Transportation: GM offers alternate transportation if your CPO vehicle needs covered repairs, either through a loaner vehicle or rental reimbursement.
- Exchange Policy: A unique benefit is the ability to exchange your car within three days and 150 miles for another vehicle of equal value if you are not satisfied.
Edmunds’ Take: Edmunds acknowledges that GM’s warranty is “shorter than that of many competitors,” but highlights the standout “CPO perk” of the exchange policy, offering a unique layer of buyer confidence.
Conclusion: Choosing the Best CPO Program for You
Determining “who has the best certified used car program” depends on your priorities. If a long powertrain warranty is paramount, Hyundai and Kia lead the pack. For a balanced program with no deductible and good overall coverage, Honda and Mazda are excellent choices. GM brands offer a solid program with appealing extras like complimentary service and an exchange policy.
Ultimately, the best CPO program for you will align with your individual needs and preferences. Carefully consider the warranty terms, extra benefits, and vehicle eligibility criteria of each program to make an informed decision and drive away with confidence in your certified pre-owned car.
