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Kia Certified Pre-Owned Review
Buying a Kia certified pre-owned car means your new vehicle has been thoroughly inspected and comes with a comprehensive warranty. Nine times out of ten suggest going for a certified pre-owned vehicle over a Craigslist used car, as long as the financials make sense.
We’re about to review everything you need to know about the Kia certified pre-owned program, including warranty information, the inspection, and the bonuses.
TLDR; Kia has a standard CPO program, which is a good thing. The platinum warranty is transferable for a $40 fee, which increases your resale value. We need to highlight that the powertrain warranty begins on the date that the car was initially sold, or as Kia put it, when the odometer was at 0.
Kia’s Certified Pre-Owned Warranty Information
There are no surprises in the Kia certified pre-owned warranty. We expected that the powertrain warranty would begin on the initial sale date, but that’s something we always like to highlight to avoid confusion.
What does Kia’s Certified Pre-Owned Warranty Cover?
Not every Kia is eligible to become a certified pre-owned car. To qualify for the Kia certified pre-owned warranty, a vehicle must meet the following criteria:
- Five years old or newer
- Less than 60,000 miles
Comprehensive Platinum Coverage
- 12 months or 12,000 miles
- Covers most components, including interior and exterior
- Begins on the day you buy the car
Limited Powertrain Warranty:
- 10 years or 100,000 miles
- Covers the engine, transmission, drivetrain, and other powertrain components.
- Begins on the day the car was initially sold
The official Kia website says that exact coverages, exclusions, and limitations apply, but you’ll have to review your contract or see a dealer for details. This lack of transparency is a mark against them since they don’t make these conditions publicly available on their website.
It’s worth noting that Kia’s program has a $50 deductible per visit for warrantied repairs. This fee is unusual for the industry and something we definitely don’t like. However, some other automakers charge deductibles on their CPO extended warranty, so this isn’t unique to Kia.
How long does Kia’s Certified Pre-Owned Warranty Last?
The warranty is mostly what makes buying a pre-owned vehicle worthwhile. Kia provides two warranties with different lengths with all of its CPO vehicles:
- Comprehensive Platinum Coverage warranty – 12 months or 12,000 miles
- Limited Powertrain Warranty – 10 years or 100,000 miles (begins when the vehicle was first purchased)
Any Kia certified pre-owned vehicle that still has the initial manufacturer powertrain warranty, which is 10 years or 100,000 miles, will be transferred to the new owner. Since the minimum requirements to qualify for the program are 5 years or newer and less than 60,000 miles, every Kia CPO car will come with the powertrain warranty. The difference will be how much longer you have left on it, based on the car’s age and mileage.
Both warranties are fully transferable to a new owner. Thanks to this transferability, your resale value on your Kia certified pre-owned vehicle is boosted, although there is a $40 fee.
Kia’s Certified Pre-Owned Inspection
The Kia certified pre-owned program includes a 164-point inspection. You can view the entire inspection check sheet at the manufacturer’s website. Any inspected vehicle must score 100% to be certified. We’ll go over the main points with you:
- Road test, including engine idle performance and steering operation
- Emissions, including a standard emissions test and any state-level inspections
- Engine compartment, including throttle operation and cold engine idle operation
- Transmission, including linkage operations and conditions of seals
- Steering and suspension, steering pump operation, and condition of seals
- Cooling, including the engine coolant and water pump operation
- Exhaust, including exhaust manifolds and muffler damage
- Fuel, including fuel pump operation and condition of fuel filter
- Brakes, including brake caliper condition and brake lines condition
- Electrical, including alarm operation and dash light operation
- Heater and AC, including overall AC operation and heater operation
- Appearance, including the trim and exterior lights
- Hybrid components (if applicable), hybrid battery condition, and inverter coolant levels
Kia makes special mention that they use manufacturer-authorized parts for any repairs made during the inspection process. This policy is ideal because many aftermarket parts are known for failing much faster than manufacturer-approved parts.
We should note that Kia inspects more about each car than many other automakers. This extra level of care gives us confidence that their program is only offering the best cars available.
Other Kia Certified Pre-Owned Perks
Every car manufacturer likes to add in some bonuses to tempt you into buying a CPO car. Here’s what Kia offers:
- You’ll receive a complete Carfax report of your new vehicle (is Carfax reliable?)
- You’ll be given a 3-month trial to SiriusXM
- You’ll have access to 24/7 emergency roadside service, which covers all the usual reasons for calls, such as gas delivery, flat tires, and lockouts
- You’ll have a $35 per day rental car allowance, up to 10 days if your car is in the shop for warrantied repairs
Ultimately, these perks alone don’t do much to make a CPO car worth it. We think the inspection and warranty are what make a CPO vehicle worthwhile. These perks are just a nice add on.
The Kia certified pre-owned program is well-rounded and undoubtedly in line with the industry standard. There are no surprises. The warranties they offer will give you some peace of mind for the beginning of your car’s life. Buying a certified pre-owned vehicle is exponentially better than going for a random used car that hasn’t been inspected by anyone.
How to Buy a Car from a Private Seller
Whether you’re going through eBay, Craigslist, or Facebook Marketplace, you need to know how to buy a car from a private seller. We’re here to arm you with information you can use to secure a reliable car and avoid scams (which are all too prevalent on these peer to peer websites).
You’re about to learn a few easy-to-remember things about how to buy a car from a private seller that will guarantee you are purchasing a roadworthy vehicle. Our hope is that you don’t end up like Riley, or John.
Make Sure the Private Seller has the Title
You should ask if the seller has the title to the car before you even agree to meet them. In your first or second message to them on your chosen platform, ask if they have the title. If they say yes, you should inquire if the title is in their name.
That last part is vital – the title must be in their name. Something you should know about buying a car from a private seller is that some people “jump” the title. This term means they’ve purchased the vehicle from another seller and are now trying to sell it to you without putting the car in their name first. While legal, jumping the title is extremely risky.
You want to avoid someone who is attempting to jump the title because it may indicate they have stolen the car. Surprisingly, some car owners store their title in their glove box (please, never do this!). If someone steals that car that has the title in the glove box, not only do they have a car, but they also have the title. All they have to do is sign the back of the title, and they can sell the car to you.
If you end up buying a stolen vehicle, you’ll end up losing the car. It will likely happen when you go to transfer the title to your name. If you’re lucky, they’ll only take the vehicle and bring you in for questioning. If you’re unlucky, well, it could get much worse.
Of course, purchasing a stolen vehicle is a worst-case scenario. The point is that the person whose name is on the title should be the person that you’re dealing with. Even if the person selling the car claims the title is in their spouse’s name, don’t buy that car.
How to Buy a Car from a Private Seller: Get a Carfax Report
It’s simple; you need to know the history of the vehicle you want to buy. While an honest seller will tell you everything they know, they might leave something out or not know the entire story.
Grab the VIN from them before you meet up and buy a Carfax report (are those reports trustworthy?). The cost of a Carfax report is well worth it to know everything about the vehicle.
The main things you’re looking for on the report are:
- Has the car been recalled?
- Is this a salvage title?
- Has the car been in any accidents?
Another alternative to a Carfax report is to contact your insurance company. They have a wealth of information at their disposal that goes beyond what you could find by Googling the VIN.
However you go about it, be sure you have all of the information you can find about this vehicle. You need to be positive that you aren’t buying a salvage title (unless you want to) and that you are aware of every accident the car has been in.
How to Buy a Car from a Private Seller: A Mechanic Inspection
We always suggest getting a pre-purchase inspection before buying a car, whether you’re buying from a private seller or a dealership.
A pre-purchase inspection is a specific type of vehicle inspection that a mechanic performs in which they look over the car for any apparent issues. They inspect it for any signs of damage, leaks, and any parts that will need to be replaced soon.
The goal of a pre-purchase inspection is to get a well-rounded picture of the vehicle that you’re looking to buy. Depending on the mechanic, they’ll likely give you an overall opinion: “yes, buy this,” or “no, avoid it.”
Combined with the Carfax report, the pre-purchase inspection paints an image of the car’s history and gives you a glimpse into the future. You might discover that the lower control arms are going out or that the alternator is failing. This information can be used to negotiate with the seller or help you decide to avoid buying the vehicle altogether.
Something you should know about how to buy a car from a private seller is that if the seller refuses to let you have the vehicle inspected, just walk away. They could be hiding something intentionally, or they may just be a pain to work with. If they’re worried about handing you the keys to take it to the mechanic, have them go with you.
Be Careful How You Pay for the Car
Due to the price tag and people’s naivety, the private car selling world is filled with various scams. You can avoid most of them by following one piece of advice: if it sounds too good to be true, then it is.
The most common types of scams that we see have to do with how you pay for the car, such as:
- Paying with Western Union (this one is common when they don’t let you see the vehicle)
- Ask you to pay entirely with gift cards
- Want you to pay with cryptocurrency (this isn’t always a scam, but cryptocurrency is often used in scams)
You should only pay for the car with traditional forms of payment. Of course, you should only buy a car you’ve seen in person. That’s right; some scammers try to get people to pay for vehicles they don’t even have.
How to Buy a Car from a Private Seller: Arm Yourself with Information
Information is your greatest tool when it comes to buying a car from a private seller. You should know everything about the vehicle that you possibly can. You should also know simple tips, such as making sure the seller is listed on the title and not paying for the car with strange forms of payment. By arming yourself with information, you’ll be ready to buy a car from a private seller.
Chrysler Certified Pre-Owned Review
Buying a Chrysler certified pre-owned vehicle is a great way to buy a quality car without having to pay brand new sticker prices. A CPO vehicle has been thoroughly inspected and comes with a warranty to give you peace of mind. We will always suggest buying a CPO car over a generic used car if for nothing other than the peace of mind that comes with a certified pre-owned vehicle.
We’re about to dive deep into the Chrysler CPO program and discuss the warranty, inspection process, and the added perks. You’ll see why we suggest buying a CPO car over a “side of the road” used car whenever we can.
TLDR; The basic warranty is far too short. This short warranty brings down the entire CPO program. However, the powertrain warranty is thorough and will almost make up for the poor basic warranty. The add-on perks are standard but still a great addition to the program. The inspection points are a bit lower than competing automakers. Overall, this is a substandard program, but it still beats a standard used car.
Chrysler Certified Pre-Owned Warranty Information
Chrysler’s warranty has a short basic warranty but an extended powertrain warranty. We consider their program to be below average overall, largely because the basic warranty is quite substandard.
What does Chrysler’s Certified Pre-Owned Warranty Cover?
To qualify to be in the Chrysler CPO program, a vehicle must meet several conditions:
- 5 model years old or newer
- Less than 75,000 miles
Chrysler certified pre-owned vehicles come with two warranties:
Basic Warranty:
- 3 months or 3,000 miles, whichever comes first
- Covers over 5,000 components on the car, both interior, and exterior
- Begins when you purchase the vehicle
Powertrain Warranty
- 7 years or 100,000 miles, whichever comes first
- Covers all powertrain components, including the engine, transmission, and drivetrain
- Begins when the car was first purchased
All covered repairs also have a $100 deductible. While this may not seem like much, it can add up quite quickly if there are frequent repairs.
Both warranties are fully transferable to a new party for a $150 fee. Being able to transfer the warranty dramatically increases your vehicle’s resale value, although that depends on where you sell your car.
How long does Chrysler’s Certified Pre-Owned Warranty Last?
The Chrysler certified pre-owned program offers two warranties with different durations:
- Basic warranty – Lasts for 3 months or 3,000 miles, whichever comes first.
- Powertrain warranty – Lasts for 7 years or 100,000 miles, whichever comes first. However, the warranty starts when the vehicle was first purchased, not when you buy the car.
The issue that stands out the most, is the length of their basic warranty. Three months and 3,000 miles is far too short. Think about the frequency of oil changes in your current car; that’s how long the basic warranty is. We don’t think that’s long enough for manufacturer defects to appear.
Chrysler offers Certified Upgrade Plans if you wish to extend your basic warranty. Each plan will begin on the date of purchase and will also have a deductible for covered repairs. Chrysler does not provide specific details about these upgrade plans, and their website directs you to contact your dealer.
Chrysler’s Certified Pre-Owned Inspection
Chrysler does not inspect as many components as other manufacturers, such as Kia, Mazda, or Honda. However, the inspection is still quite thorough and is much better than an uninspected used car. The Chrysler certified pre-owned program inspects 125 points. You can view the exact Chrysler certified pre-owned checklist here, but we’ll cover the significant inspection areas below:
- Underhood checks, such as hood release and brake fluid
- Operational checks, such as interior lamps and window controls
- Steering performance, such as power steering and steer wheel alignment
- Equipment operation, such as cruise control and instrument panel
- Powertrain performance, such as acceleration performance and shifting performance
- Braking performance, such as vehicle tracking and anti lock brake system
- Vehicle comfort, such as interior noise level
- Post-road tests, such as fluid leak inspection and hot restart performance
- Fluid inspection, such as engine oil and transmission fluid
- Exterior condition, such as body panels and bumpers
- Interior condition, such as door panels and seating condition
- Exterior detailing, such as washing and waxing
- Interior detailing, such as cleaning surfaces and vacuuming
While other manufacturers’ inspections have more inspection points, we believe that the Chrysler inspection is thorough and covers all the crucial points.
It’s worth noting that every car must pass the inspection with a score of 100%; otherwise, it is not certified.
Other Chrysler Certified Pre-Owned Perks
All automakers like to include a few perks as part of their CPO plan, and the Chrysler certified pre-owned plan is no different. Each CPO vehicle purchase includes:
- A three-month subscription to SiriusXM
- A $35 per day rental allowance, up to 5 days
- Access to 24/7 roadside service for the length of the basic warranty, which covers all common issues, such as:
- Flat tires
- Lockouts
- Gas delivery
- Jump starts
- You’ll also receive a Carfax report for your new car (are those Carfax reports reliable?)
Overall, the Chrysler perk offering is relatively standard in the auto industry. These perks shouldn’t persuade you to buy a Chrysler CPO, but they serve as a nice bonus.
We think the Chrysler certified pre-owned program is slightly below average based on industry standards. Their inspection points are lower than many other automakers, and their basic warranty is far too short.That being said, we still advise buying a Chrysler pre-owned vehicle over a generic used car thanks to their inspection and warranty. Make sure you always get a pre-purchase inspection from an unbiased third party, though. We want to make sure that you buy a car in excellent condition.
Subaru Certified Pre-Owned Review
There are a multitude of factors that affect the value of a used car. The vehicle’s condition, any remaining manufacturer warranties, etc, etc. One way you can take the guesswork out of the used car buying process is by choosing a used vehicle that’s been certified pre-owned by the manufacturer. We put together this Subaru certified pre-owned review to help simplify the buying process so you can choose your next used Subaru with confidence.
Choosing a certified pre-owned vehicle offers the assurance that the car or truck you’re considering meets the specifications set by the manufacturer. With Subaru, used cars that meet these company specifications have passed a 152-point inspection and are covered by the Subaru Certified Pre-Owned Warranty.
Subaru’s Certified Pre-Owned Warranty Information
Subaru vehicles have a reputation for quality, with 97% of the models sold over the past 10 years still on the road today. In addition to a solid reputation for quality, Subaru Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles offer you a number of assurances about what you can expect when you buy one of these pre-inspected vehicles.
Technicians who have been trained by Subaru inspect and recondition these used vehicles to like-new condition. If the technicians find anything that doesn’t meet safety specifications during the inspection, it either gets repaired or replaced before hitting the showroom floor.
For a full list of items checked in the 152-point inspection, you can click here.
What does Subaru’s Certified Pre-Owned Warranty Cover?
The CPO warranty extends the original 36,000 mile/3-year warranty. When you choose a Subaru that’s backed by the company’s certified pre-owned warranty, you’re provided with a CARFAX vehicle history report, full documentation for the vehicle, and two sets of keys and remotes.
This coverage includes:
- 24/7 Roadside assistance
- 7-Year/100,000-mile powertrain coverage, $0 deductible
- $500 Subaru owner-loyalty coupon
- 152-Point inspection
- 3-MonthTrial Subscription to SiriusXM
- CARFAX vehicle history report
- One-year trial subscription to the STARLINK Safety Plus Package, including automatic collision notification
Powertrain Components That Are Covered
- Cylinder heads and the valve trains
- Engine
- Engine block and all internal engine parts
- Flywheel
- Intake and the exhaust manifolds
- Oil pan
- Oil pump
- Oil seals and the gaskets
- Timing belts or timing gears and covers
- Water pump
Transaxle, Transmission and Differential Parts That Are Covered
- Axle shafts and the constant velocity joints (minus the boots)
- Electronic transmission control unit
- Propeller shaft
- Seals and gaskets
- Transaxle and transmission case, plus the internal components
- Torque converter
- Wheel bearings
Hybrid System Subaru Warranty
For hybrid Subaru vehicles, hybrid system parts that are covered include:
- Battery control module
- Charge cable
- Electric motor assembly
- High voltage battery pack
- Hybrid system control module
- Hydraulic booster
- Onboard charger
- Power control unit
- Transmission
How long does Subaru’s Certified Pre-Owned Warranty Last?
The certified pre-owned warranty from Subaru protects your investment in your vehicle with coverage for up to seven years and 100,000 miles on the powertrain, beginning at the date the vehicle was purchased new. It additionally comes with a $0 deductible on all-wheel-drive components, the engine, and the transmission when repairs are performed by a covered Subaru dealership.
Things That Aren’t Covered by the Subaru CPO Warranty
- Parts that are covered through other warranties, such as tires
- Regular maintenance
- Deterioration from normal use
- Damage from unauthorized repairs
- Damage from abuse, accidents, negligence, and fire
- Damage caused by using the vehicle for a competitive event
- Environmental damage, such as the effects of flooding or hail
- Damage resulting from commercial use of the vehicle
We hope this Subaru Certified Pre-Owned information helps simplify your car-buying experience. We know there’s a lot of information to process when you’re buying a car, and we’re here to help with plenty of details!
Other Subaru Certified Pre-Owned Perks
Choosing a vehicle from the Subaru CPO inventory offers buyers some extra perks. Special finance rates as low as 0.99% for well-qualified buyers and no down payment is the first of these perks. The company also offers additional coverage for buyers who choose a vehicle from the Subaru certified pre-owned selection.
The additional coverage is available in two package plans, the CPO Classic Plan and the CPO Gold Plus plan, both of which include roadside assistance.
The CPO Classic plan covers towing and rental reimbursement plus approximately 1,000 parts in the major component areas of a vehicle, including:
- Brakes
- Cooling system and AC
- Drivetrain
- Electrical system
- Engine
- Fuel system
- Front suspension
- Steering
- Transmission
The CPO Gold Plus plan covers towing and rental reimbursement plus hundreds of parts that aren’t covered by the CPO Classic plan. This plan reimburses for meals and lodging if your Subaru breaks down when you’re traveling out of town. Travel assistance, such as trip routing and a retailer location service are also included with this plan.
Under these warranty plans, you aren’t charged for covered repairs, including parts and labor. That protects you from the cost of repairing or replacing defective parts. Your Subaru dealer will choose between remanufactured and new Subaru parts when performing repairs under the CPO warranty.
CPO Warranty Claims
If you need to file a claim under your Subaru CPO warranty, it’s important to file it as soon as you discover a defect, and before the warranty period ends. Subaru of America recommends that you take your car to the dealer who sold it to you for repairs, but if that isn’t an option, you can take it to any authorized Subaru dealer.
If you are unable to drive your vehicle to the dealership for repairs, Subaru of America pays the towing cost under the terms of the CPO warranty. In some cases, Subaru will cover the cost of emergency repairs at non-dealer facilities, and the terms regarding this are found in the warranty information that’s linked above.
Ram Certified Pre-Owned Review
Buying a Ram certified pre-owned vehicle is an excellent option for anyone who wants to get into a quality vehicle without paying new car prices. They offer a thorough 125-point inspection to ensure that any car they certify won’t break down on you any time soon.
We’re about to cover everything you need to know about the Ram certified pre-owned program, including the warranty, what’s inspected, and other add-ons. Of course, make sure you research your ideal car well before you visit the dealership.
TLDR; The Ram certified pre-owned program is average, which is a good thing. The 125-point inspection has a few points less than other manufacturers, but it’s still comprehensive. We don’t like the $100 deductible for covered repairs, as that could add up over a vehicle’s life. The short bumper-to-bumper warranty is also unfavorable.
Ram’s Certified Pre-Owned Warranty Information
Ram has a decent warranty for their certified pre-owned vehicles. It’s nothing spectacular, but it’s not terrible. We consider this warranty average for the industry.
What does Ram’s Certified Pre-Owned Warranty Cover?
The most common questions people ask regarding a certified pre-owned program are about the warranty. Any Ram certified pre-owned vehicle comes with two warranties covering different parts of the car.
Maximum Care Warranty:
- Three months or 3,000 miles, whichever comes first
- Begins when the Ram certified pre-owned vehicle is purchased or when the New Vehicle Warranty expires (if purchased while still under this warranty)
- Covers most vehicle components, both on the interior and exterior
- There is a $100 deductible per visit for any covered repairs
Powertrain Limited Warranty:
- Seven years or 100,000 miles, whichever comes first (begins when the vehicle was sold as new)
- Covers repairs on the powertrain’s major components, such as the driveline, engine, and transmission.
- There is a $100 deductible per visit for any covered repairs
One of the significant downsides of the Ram certified pre-owned warranty is the deductible. This deductible is unusual for CPO warranties, and we hope someday Ram reconsiders this fee.
These warranties are transferable if you sell your car while it’s still covered. However, there is a $150 fee to transfer the warranties. This fee seems unnecessary and makes the Ram CPO warranty worse in our eyes.
How long does Ram’s Certified Pre-Owned Warranty Last?
The Powertrain Limited Warranty lasts for seven years or 100,000 miles, whichever comes first. It’s worth noting that both numbers began when the vehicle was sold as new, not from when you buy it.
The Maximum Care Warranty is good for three months or 3,000 miles, whichever comes first. We think this is absurdly low, considering 3,000 miles is an average oil change interval. This coverage interval is also short by industry standards.
Ram certified pre-owned warranties also come with three different Certified Upgrade Plans. Each of these plans begins on the date of purchase. They also require a deductible. The official Ram website does not provide additional details on these upgraded plans and directs you to visit a dealer.
Ram’s Certified Pre-Owned Inspection
Ram is quite proud of their inspection checklist. Every vehicle that earns the title of certified pre-owned will undergo this inspection.
Before being inspected, every vehicle must meet the following criteria:
- Less than 75,000 miles
- Less than five model years old
- Absolutely no frame damage
- Completely clean title
- No aftermarket accessories that compromise the safety, emissions, or general operation
Once a car meets those criteria, it moves on to the inspection. You can view the complete checklist on the Ram official website:
- Pre-road tests, including checking the hood release, all fluids, the battery condition, and the throttle linkage system
- Operational checks, including the seat adjusters, ignition switch, air back systems, brake lamps, windows, and horn
- Road test, including cold-idle quality, ease of starting, and gear selector
- Steering performance, including power steering performance and steering wheel alignment
- Equipment operation, including cruise control and instrument panel
- Powertrain performance, such as acceleration performance, clutch operation (on manual transmissions), and hot-idle performance
- Braking performance, such as vehicle tracking and anti lock brake system
- Post-road tests, such as visibly inspecting any possible leaks and hot restart performance
- Maintenance standards, including checking all fluids, inspecting the exhaust system, and front and rear suspension
Any Ram certified pre-owned has gone through intensely thorough testing. The rigorous testing is why we also suggest going for a CPO vehicle over a ‘side of the road’ used car. A CPO has been tested and is proven to be a safe buy.
Other Ram Certified Pre-Owned Perks
While the inspection and the warranty are the main selling points of buying a CPO vehicle, automakers like to add some bonuses. Purchasing a Ram certified pre-owned car comes with some of these perks:
- You’ll receive a 3-month subscription to SiriusXM
- It includes 24/7 roadside assistance that covers all the common issues, such as flat tires, lockouts, or when the vehicle isn’t starting
- If your vehicle is in for warrantied repairs, you’ll receive a rental car allowance of $35 per day, up to five days
- You’ll be given a comprehensive Carfax report for your vehicle (how reliable is Carfax, though?)
We like the perks, we like the powertrain warranty, and we appreciate the thorough inspection. Ultimately, the Ram certified pre-owned program is par for the course. They compete with other car manufacturers but fall short in some areas, such as the Maximum Care Warranty (3,000 miles is too low!). However, buying a pre-owned vehicle is always better than buying a standard used car and making some mistakes. Depending on the numbers, we always suggest going for a CPO vehicle.
