Genesis Certified Pre-Owned Pro Review

by Zach Shefska | Last updated Jan 23, 2025 | Certified Pre-Owned

Genesis is one of the premium luxury brands that people often want to buy brand-new. That isn’t always necessary, though. You can buy a Genesis certified pre-owned (CPO) vehicle that looks completely new without the brand-new Genesis price.

We’re about to dive into the Genesis CPO program and discuss the warranty, inspection process, and added perks. We hope that Genesis has lived up to its reputation with its CPO program.

TLDR; We like the Genesis certified pre-owned program. The only downside is the lack of a new warranty that typically starts when you buy a CPO vehicle. However, it retains two warranties that will still be active when you make your purchase. Their inspection is provably thorough, and they include plenty of valuable perks.

Genesis’s Certified Pre-Owned Warranty Information

To qualify to become a Genesis certified pre-owned vehicle, the Genesis must meet the following criteria:

• 60,000 miles or fewer
• 2017 or newer Genesis G70/G80/G90

It must also undergo the 191-point inspection. Once it meets all of this criteria, it will be sold as a certified pre-owned vehicle.  

What does Genesis’s Certified Pre-Owned Warranty Cover?

Genesis does not offer any new warranties with their CPO vehicles. Instead, they receive the remainder of the existing warranties.

All new vehicles come with a Limited Warranty that covers most components in the car. The warranty covers issues that stem from a manufacturer defect and does not cover any abuse, neglect, or misuse issues.

Additionally, all vehicles come with a Powertrain Limited Warranty. This warranty covers any issues related to the engine, transmission, or drivetrain. The conditions are the same as the Limited Warranty; the problem cannot be abuse, neglect, or misuse.

Both programs call for a $50 deductible per visit. This practice isn’t unheard of but is a downside of any CPO program. A premium CPO program doesn’t charge anything for warrantied repairs.

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Genesis does offer extended protection plans that you can purchase on top of your Genesis certified pre-owned vehicle. They do not make information about these plans available on their website and direct you to discuss them with a retailer. The programs are called:

• CPO Wrap Vehicle Service Contract
• Term protection
• Pre-Paid Maintenance
• Guaranteed Asset protection (GAP)

The lack of a brand-new CPO warranty is disappointing to us. Failing to provide a new warranty that takes over after the new vehicle warranty expires is a big missed opportunity. However, they do give a more extended new vehicle warranty than most. This means that most CPO vehicles will still have a fair amount of time left with a warranty.  

How long does Genesis’s Certified Pre-Owned Warranty Last?

The two warranties that Genesis certified pre-owned vehicles come with have varying lengths:

Limited Warranty:

• 6-years or 75,000 miles, whichever comes first
• Begins when the car was first sold

Powertrain Limited Warranty:

• 10-years or 100,000 miles, whichever comes first
• Begins when the vehicle was first sold

There is no additional warranty that starts when you buy the car, which is a massive drawback of this plan. The one thing that might redeem this flaw is that the Limited Warranty lasts for quite a bit longer than other automaker’s warranties.

Compared to the requirements to be in the CPO program, every CPO vehicle will still have some time left on the Limited Warranty and Powertrain Limited Warranty, although the remaining time will vary.  

Genesis’s Certified Pre-Owned Inspection

Every Genesis certified pre-owned vehicle undergoes a rigorous 191-point inspection before being sold. You can view the complete checklist on their website, but we’ll cover the main highlights below:

• Ensure a clean vehicle history via Carfax
• Road test, including car ignition and throttle operation
• Exterior, including body panels fit and headlamp operation
• Interior, including side mirror control operation and interior lighting operation
• Mechanical, including engine belts and hood insulation condition
• Maintenance, including engine oil and transmission fluid
• Tires and wheels, including tread depth and lug nuts presence

This checklist may not seem like a comprehensive list, but their inspections are thorough. They’ve categorized all of the inspection points a bit broader than some other car manufacturers.

Having a 191-point inspection puts them above the industry average, which we’d expected from Genesis. For comparison, Volkswagen only inspects 112 points.

Other Genesis Certified Pre-Owned Perks

Every CPO program includes a few perks as a thank you and perhaps to sway buyers. Genesis provides the following bonuses with all of their CPO vehicles:

• Comprehensive Carfax report (are those trustworthy?)
• Rental car reimbursement, $50 per day for up to 10 days
• Travel reimbursement if a covered mechanical breakdown occurs over 150 miles away from your home
• 10-years and unlimited miles of 24/7 roadside assistance, covering all common issues such as dead batteries and flat tires
• Three years of service of Genesis Connected Services, which connects to your smartphone to provide vehicle maintenance information, remote start, climate control, and enhanced roadside features
• Three-month trial to SiriusXM

These perks are above average compared to other CPO vehicles. Again, that’s what we’d expect from a brand like Genesis. Three years of Genesis Connected Services is an excellent perk, as well as the generous rental reimbursement.

Overall, we recommend the Genesis certified pre-owned vehicle program. The only drawback is not offering a new CPO warranty. However, the length of their new vehicle warranty that rolls over makes up for it. Their inspection is thorough, but we still recommend that you have a third-party mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection before signing any contracts.  

Jaguar Certified Pre-Owned Pro Review

by Ray Shefska | Last updated Jan 23, 2025 | Certified Pre-Owned

Jaguar is the ultimate luxury brand in some people’s eyes. While that’s arguable, nobody can deny that they provide a smooth, comfortable ride. However, they have quite a hefty price tag. Fortunately, they have a certified pre-owned (CPO) program that makes getting into a Jaguar much more affordable.

We’re about to go over the Jaguar certified pre-owned program, including examining the warranty, inspection process, and offered perks. Let’s take a look at what the world’s premium luxury brand has to offer and see if it’s a good way for you to buy your next car.

TLDR; We expected more out of the Jaguar certified pre-owned program, but it’s still an acceptable program. The warranty is comprehensive, yet we’d like to see it extended. At first glance, it seems top of the line until you realize that the countdown started when the vehicle was first sold. We would also appreciate having the warranty split up and a separate powertrain warranty for an extended duration.

Jaguar’s Certified Pre-Owned Warranty Information

To be included in the Jaguar certified pre-owned program, a vehicle must meet the following criteria:

• Five years old or newer
• Less than 60,000 miles
• Pass their 165-point inspection
• Have a clean vehicle history report

Once all of these conditions are met, the vehicle will be sold as a Jaguar certified pre-owned vehicle and will receive the Jaguar certified pre-owned warranty.

What does Jaguar’s Certified Pre-Owned Warranty Cover?

The Jaguar Approved Certified Limited Warranty covers all mechanical or electrical repairs related to the manufacturer’s defects, and the repairs are completed at a Jaguar dealership. There is no coverage for any issues that are believed to be a result of wear and tear.

Jaguar does not charge any deductible for covered repairs. This is a breath of fresh air since many automakers seem to be starting to charge deductibles for warrantied issues.

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The Jaguar certified pre-owned warranty is fully transferable, with no fee disclosed. This dramatically increases your resale value should you decide to sell. All you’ll have to do in order to transfer the warranty is to call their customer support to initiate the process.

How long does Jaguar’s Certified Pre-Owned Warranty Last?

The Jaguar certified pre-owned warranty goes into effect after the new car warranty expires, if one is active on the CPO car.

Jaguar’s CPO warranty lasts for up to 7 years or 100,000 miles, whichever comes first. This warranty begins when the CPO car is first purchased, so most CPO vehicles will only add around two years or 40,000 miles to the warranty. However, if you buy a newer CPO vehicle, you’ll end up with more coverage. Starting the warranty on the original purchase date can be confusing, so make sure to clarify how long your warranty will last before making a purchase.

Jaguar’s Certified Pre-Owned Inspection

Every Jaguar certified pre-owned vehicle has undergone a 165-point inspection. This is about average for luxury brands, and we would expect nothing less from Jaguar. You can view their inspection checklist in their CPO brochure on their website, but we’ll cover the major points below:

• Vehicle eligibility, including mileage check and vehicle history report
• Interior, including general condition and carpet condition
• Electric tests, including warning lights functionality and window operation
• Heating and AC, including blower motor and heated seats
• Electrical tests, including brake stoplights and headlights
• Exterior, including general body condition and glass condition
• Engine area, including engine oil and wiring
• Undercarriage, including frame condition and steering condition
• Tests, including cold start and fluid leaks
• Road tests, including vibration and wind noise

This inspection looks standard to us, but that’s not a bad thing. Most automakers go the distance with their inspections, so it’s no surprise to see that Jaguar has done the same. Having 165 inspection points is slightly above the average, which is around 150.

Other Jaguar Certified Pre-Owned Perks

Much like other car manufacturers, Jaguar offers a few bonuses to go along with their CPO cars:

• 24/7 Roadside Assistance for the warranty’s duration, including flat tires, dead batteries, lockout services, and towing to the nearest Jaguar dealer.
• A comprehensive vehicle history report
• Special financing options available for CPO vehicles

These are all the benefits listed on their website and in their brochures, so it’s safe to say this is all that’s offered. This offering is relatively minimal compared to other automakers. However, it is all that you need. Roadside assistance is a must for any CPO vehicle, and providing you with a vehicle history report also provides you with peace of mind.

Overall, we expected more from Jaguar. Their warranty is reasonable, but at worst, you’ll only get an extra two years and 40,000 miles of coverage. That’s not much of a warranty if you compare it to other automakers. Their inspection seems sufficient, although we’d like to see the actual checklist the technicians used. All we could find online was the brochure with a prepared list for public use. Of course, you should make sure you get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic before buying any vehicle.

If you dream of getting a Jaguar, the Jaguar certified pre-owned program is an excellent way to make that happen. You’ll be driving a slightly used, but thoroughly inspected Jaguar for far less than buying a brand-new car. However, if you’re more interested in purchasing a general certified pre-owned vehicle for a reasonable price and don’t care if it’s a Jaguar, we’d suggest you look at other automakers.

Volvo Certified Pre-Owned Pro Review

by Zach Shefska | Last updated Jan 23, 2025 | Certified Pre-Owned

Volvo seems to have a group of hardcore fans who refuse to drive anything else (heck, I used to be one of them!) Buying a Volvo certified pre-owned vehicle is an excellent way for these fans, or casual appreciators, to get into a Volvo that is in excellent condition without the new car price tag.

We’re about to examine the Volvo certified pre-owned program, including the warranty, inspection process, and provided perks.

TLDR; The Volvo CPO offering has a more extended warranty than most with unlimited mileage. The inspection process is thorough and safety focused. We recommend this program for anyone looking to get into a Volvo without paying new car prices. However, the lack of a separate powertrain warranty does bring the entire program down.

Volvo’s Certified Pre-Owned Warranty Information

To become a Volvo certified pre-owned vehicle, the car must meet the following criteria:

• Five years old or newer
• 80,000 miles or fewer
• A complete clean Vehicle History Report
• Pass the 170+ point inspection

Once a vehicle has fulfilled all these conditions, it will be added to the Volvo CPO inventory.

What does Volvo’s Certified Pre-Owned Warranty Cover?

Volvo offers one warranty for all its certified pre-owned vehicles. This warranty covers:

• Engine
• Transmission
• Drive axle (both front and rear)
• Steering
• Suspension
• Brakes
• Electrical
• Air conditioning

They say their warranty covers over 1,000 individual components, which may sound like a lot, but that’s a bit low for a bumper-to-bumper warranty.

Five years is quite a bit longer than most CPO programs offer on their bumper-to-bumper warranty. However, those with a shorter bumper-to-bumper warranty typically also provide a separate powertrain warranty. We’d like to see a powertrain warranty that lasts longer, even if it means shortening the current warranty.

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Volvo is doing the right thing by not charging a deductible for warrantied repairs. That will save a good chunk of change over the life of the vehicle.

The Volvo certified pre-owned warranty is fully transferable with no apparent fee. This dramatically increases your resale value should you decide to sell.

How long does Volvo’s Certified Pre-Owned Warranty Last?

Every Volvo certified pre-owned vehicle comes with a 5-year and unlimited mileage warranty. This warranty can be upgraded to last for ten years; however, Volvo does not disclose the cost of this upgrade. Instead, Volvo directs you to discuss this with an authorized dealer.

Unlimited mileage makes this warranty stand out among the crowd of CPO warranties. Most other CPO programs offer a shorter duration and a cap on miles. Providing an extended warranty with no cap is a massive benefit of this program.

The only downside is the lack of a powertrain warranty with a longer duration. Most automakers provide two warranties as opposed to one. Instead, they roll powertrain coverage into the current warranty. While an acceptable plan, we’d prefer two warranties so that the powertrain is covered longer than the rest of the car.

Volvo’s Certified Pre-Owned Inspection

Every Volvo that’s in the CPO program has passed 170+ point inspection. You can view the complete checklist online, but we’ll cover the main highlights below:

• VIN inspection, including making sure all VINs match
• Road test, including starting cold and transmission sound
• Body exterior, including inspection of frame and body panels
• Interior, including audio system and heating/AC
• Powertrain, including engine mechanical condition and engine mount condition
• Transmission, including drive axles conditions and fluid level
• Suspension and steering, including power steering pump condition and steering linkage condition
• Safety inspection, covering brakes, door locks, airbags, glass condition, lights, and wheels

One thing that jumps out about the Volvo inspection process is that there is a separate section specifically for inspecting the vehicle’s safety. While it could be argued that all the inspection points for any CPO program are about safety, seeing Volvo highlight a safety inspection inspires confidence.

Overall, the Volvo inspection process covers more inspection points than most, but not by much. The average is around 150 inspection points, and Volvo goes just a bit over that.

Other Volvo Certified Pre-Owned Perks

Volvo, like other automakers, provides a handful of perks with their pre-owned inventory. When you buy a Volvo certified pre-owned vehicle, you’ll receive:

• Carfax vehicle history report (are those trustworthy?)
• Every vehicle made after 2015 comes with Volvo On Call free for one year, allowing you to lock, unlock, and remotely start your car from your smartphone. It also allows you to access emergency roadside assistance.
• 24/7 roadside assistance for the length of your warrant, covering lockouts, jump starts, emergency tows, and fuel delivery
• Rental car reimbursement, up to $35 per day for up to 10 days per breakdown resulting in warrantied repairs
• Travel reimbursement, covering up to $100 per day up to $500 per occurrence if you break down more than 100 miles away from your home
• Three-month subscription to SiriusXM

Volvo’s product offering is undoubtedly robust. Many other automakers have similar offerings, but then again, some offer way fewer perks, too. The main thing that makes this perk offering unique is the Volvo On Call service, which is unique to Volvo.

Overall, we’re neutral towards this warranty. We would appreciate it if Volvo separated the powertrain coverage into its warranty with an extended duration. However, the unlimited mileage on the provided warranty almost makes up for it. The inspection point count is higher than many, and we like the specific focus on safety for part of the inspection. However, you should make sure that you get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic before buying a CPO vehicle.

While the Volvo certified pre-owned program is adequate, we would only recommend it if you’re a fan of Volvo. Otherwise, there may be a better program with a more in-depth warranty offering out there for you.

Lexus Certified Pre-Owned Pro Review

by Ray Shefska | Last updated Jan 23, 2025 | Certified Pre-Owned

Lexus is one of the leading names in luxury cars. Along with that comes a larger price tag than other vehicles. That’s why many buyers opt to buy a Lexus certified pre-owned vehicle instead of a brand-new car. It’s a great way to drive a Lexus without breaking the bank.

We’re about to investigate the Lexus CPO program, including their warranty, inspection process, and other perks.

TLDR; The standout feature from the Lexus CPO program is a specific CPO warranty that has unlimited miles for two years. The biggest downside is that the warranty is not transferable. Lexus CPO vehicles undergo a thorough inspection before being certified. Lexus also provides some above-average perks to go along with their cars.

Lexus’s Certified Pre-Owned Warranty Information

The Lexus certified pre-owned program provides a good warranty combined with a comprehensive inspection. All vehicles must pass the inspection with a 100% score to be included in the CPO program.

What does Lexus’s Certified Pre-Owned Warranty Cover?

Lexus provides an L Certified Limited Warranty to all of Lexus certified pre-owned vehicles. This warranty covers any repair or replacement of components that fail under everyday use. The cause of failure must be determined to be a manufacturer’s defect.

You can view an extensive list of what is not covered in the warranty brochure (page 10), but we’ll cover the highlights:

• Batteries
• Body panels
• All fluids
• Glass
• Hybrid battery
• Sheet metals
• Structural framework and welds
• Wheels and rims
• All accessories
• Any component that has not failed, but a repair facility is recommending be replaced
• Any damage caused by collision, abuse, misuse, larceny, or negligence
• Contamination of fluids and fuels
• Alterations to the vehicle and related components
• Wars, riots, insurrection, natural disasters
• Failures caused by modifying factory parts
• Lack of maintenance

While this list might look long and intimidating, these are all standard exclusions for CPO warranties and even new car warranties. Lexus is more forthcoming about their exclusions than other automakers, making the exclusions look like a drawback of the program.

There is no charge or deductible for repairs while under warranty.

How long does Lexus’s Certified Pre-Owned Warranty Last?

The L Certified Limited Warranty begins when the Basic Warranty expires or when you purchase the vehicle and lasts two years. There is no mileage cap.

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Lexus explicitly states that the warranty is not transferable, and if you buy your Lexus from anyone other than an authorized Lexus dealer, the warranty is void. Unfortunately, for anyone looking to buy a Lexus, this harms your resale value since you won’t be able to offer a warranty along with the sale.

Lexus’s Certified Pre-Owned Inspection

Every Lexus must pass a 161-point inspection before being admitted into the Lexus certified pre-owned program. You can view all 161 points on their website, but we’ll cover the main highlights below:

• Vehicle history, including verifying VINs match and checking or recalls
• Exterior appearance, including body damage and dents
• Door lock system, including master key remote entry and warning chime when a key is in the ignition or vehicle
• Lights/Indicators, including fog lights and headlights
• Interior appearance, including armrests and radio markings
• Seats, including memory control and headrests
• Instrument panel, including brightness control knob and gauges functionality
• Windows, including auto windows and window lock
• Steering wheel, including tilt and horn
• Windshield wiper, including clean wiper blades and rain-sensing wipers
• Center console, including climate control and cooler box
• Inside/Outside rearview mirror, including controls and overall condition
• Glove compartment, including lamp condition
• Release lever, including fuel lid and trunk lever
• Trunk compartment, including first aid kit and light functionality
• Fluid levels, including oil and coolant
• Mechanical, including engine noise and emission control test
• Battery, including no damage and testing charge
• Tires and wheels, including tread depth and sidewall condition
• Brakes, including rotors condition and calipers functionality
• Chassis, including body plugs and transmission mounts
• Road test, including starter system and engine performance

That may seem like a more comprehensive checklist than other automakers, but that’s only because they broke it down into more categories. It’s still a thorough inspection, and we’d expect nothing less from Lexus.

Other Lexus Certified Pre-Owned Perks

All automakers include some perks with their CPO programs. Lexus provides quite a few bonuses to go as well:

• Complimentary maintenance for two years or 20,000 miles, up to four occurrences, beginning when you purchase the vehicle
• Rental car reimbursement, up to $50 per day for five days, if your vehicle needs to be in the shop for more than eight hours
• Travel protection, including three nights (up to $200 per night) and substitute transportation ($50 per day for five days), if the vehicle is down for more than eight hours and the incident occurred over 100 miles away from home
• Roadside assistance, including towing, lockout services, and battery jumpstarts

This perk offering is quite generous, especially the travel protection and rental car reimbursement. The threshold for receiving both perks is that your vehicle is incapacitated for more than eight hours, which seems reasonable. Including roadside assistance is standard yet valuable. When compared to Acura, you’ll notice fewer perks but more maintenance visits.

What stands out the most from their perk offering is the complimentary maintenance. While a few other automakers offer a similar perk, Lexus is well above the industry standard with this offering.

Overall, the Lexus certified pre-owned offering is slightly above average, and we recommend it for Lexus fans. Their inspection is thorough, and their warranty offering is standard, which are the two most important aspects of a CPO program. We suggest that you have an independent mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection before you make your purchase. The perks are nice but don’t sway us one way or the other.

The Lexus certified pre-owned program is perfect for Lexus fans who want a reliable, warrantied vehicle without paying new car prices.

Mini Certified Pre-Owned Pro Review

by Zach Shefska | Last updated Jan 23, 2025 | Certified Pre-Owned

Mini is one of those brands that attracts certain people and retains them for life. With a unique style and particular offering, people often become lifelong fans of Minis. However, getting into a brand-new Mini can be quite expensive. Fortunately, Mini offers a certified pre-owned (CPO) program specifically for those who want a warrantied, and inspected vehicle, but don’t want to pay new prices.

We’re about to look at the Mini certified pre-owned program. We’ll examine what the warranty covers, how long it lasts, the depth of their inspection, and discuss any perks they include.

TLDR; We are neutral towards the Mini certified pre-owned program. While they offer a thorough and impressive inspection, they also don’t provide much of a warranty. We’d like to see a more extended warranty or a separate powertrain warranty that lasts longer. Overall, the CPO program is excellent for Mini fans, but there’s likely a better program out there for everyone else.

Mini’s Certified Pre-Owned Warranty Information

To become a Mini certified pre-owned vehicle, the car must meet the following requirements:

• Five years old or newer
• 60,000 miles or fewer
• Pass a 197-point checklist

If a car meets all these conditions, it may be sold as a Mini certified pre-owned car. It’s worth noting that the car must pass the inspection with a score of 100%.

What does Mini’s Certified Pre-Owned Warranty Cover?

The Limited Warranty covers any issue that can be considered a manufacturer’s defect. Mini has provided a comprehensive list of items that are not covered on their website, but we’ll go over the main points below:

• Vehicle maintenance, including fluid replacement and brake pads
• Upkeep, including batteries and coolant
• Suspension, including ball joints and coil springs
• Body, including air leaks and water leaks
• Interior, including bulbs and trunk mats
• Accessories, including all non-original parts

This level of coverage is standard for a certified pre-owned program. Automakers typically do not cover anything related to negligence or abuse, which is largely what is covered in the list of exclusions.

When repairs are made, Mini explicitly states that they will only use genuine Mini parts. This policy is excellent, as genuine parts are typically far superior to aftermarket parts.

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Something that jumps out at us is the lack of a separate powertrain warranty. We would love to see Mini offer an entirely different warranty that focuses on the powertrain and for that warranty to last for longer than the standard warranty.  

Mini charges a $50 deductible per visit for any warrantied repairs. While this is nothing compared to the cost of replacing a transmission, it can still add up over time. We generally don’t like when CPO programs charge a deductible for their warranty repairs.

How long does Mini’s Certified Pre-Owned Warranty Last?

Every Mini certified pre-owned vehicle comes with a six-year Limited Warranty with no mileage cap. However, the warranty begins when the car was originally sold, not when you purchased the car.

Warranties can be transferred to a new owner, but there is a $200 warranty transfer fee. If you decide to sell your car, you can leave this fee up to the buyer. However, charging a transfer fee is far from ideal and is a mark against the Mini CPO program.

Mini’s Certified Pre-Owned Inspection

Mini conducts a 197-point inspection of any vehicle before it is sold as a CPO car. You can view the complete checklist on their website, but we’ll cover the main points below:

• Vehicle background and maintenance, including a vehicle history report and checking for recalls
• Wheel assembly, including a tire inspection and brake inspection
• Body condition, including front bumper condition and interior condition
• Mechanical, including headlight assembly and engine oil fluid levels
• Stationary review, including pedal function and audio function
• Rolling review, including engine performance and transmission noise

Mini has a lot of inspection points under each of the above categories. We’re impressed by the thoroughness of their inspection, and it gives us confidence in their CPO program overall. We believe that the inspection is an essential part of the CPO program, and Mini is doing excellent in that department.

Other Mini Certified Pre-Owned Perks

All certified pre-owned Minis come with 24/7 roadside assistance covering all the common issues, such as replacing a flat tire, emergency tows to a Mini dealer, or lockout services.

Surprisingly, roadside assistance is the only perk discussed on the official Mini certified pre-owned website. We checked other sources, and the only additional perk some discuss is a three-month subscription to SiriusXM. However, we are not able to verify that bonus.

We’re surprised by the Mini perk offering. It’s one of the most minimal offerings that we’ve seen among all the CPO programs we’ve reviewed.

Overall, we are neutral towards the Mini certified pre-owned program. If you’re a specific fan of Mini and don’t want to pay brand-new prices, then the CPO program is a great way to go. However, if you’re shopping around and investigating different CPO programs, there are better programs out there. We would like to see Mini offer a specific CPO warranty that begins when you buy the vehicle or provide a separate powertrain warranty that lasts for longer.

The best thing we can say about the Mini CPO program is that their inspection is quite intense. They are well above the average amount of inspection points, and this is something we greatly appreciate. However, we must mention that you should always have a pre-purchase inspection before buying your CPO Mini.

Fiat Certified Pre-Owned Pro Review

by Zach Shefska | Last updated Jan 23, 2025 | Certified Pre-Owned

Anyone looking to get into a Fiat may be deciding between a new or used vehicle. Yet, there’s a third option: certified pre-owned (CPO). A certified pre-owned car has been owned before, but it’s been thoroughly inspected and comes with a warranty. It’s the perfect middle ground between a new and used car.

We’re about to look at the Fiat CPO program and discuss the warranty, inspection process, and any bonuses that they include.

TLDR; We do not recommend the Fiat certified pre-owned program. Fiat makes little information about its CPO program known on their website. They’ve left us with many unanswered questions, so you’ll need to make sure to take notes and ask plenty of questions at the dealership. Their warranty coverage is lacking, as it’s possible to buy a car with only one year and 5,000 miles left on the warranty. Their inspection is thorough enough. This program is only a good fit for people who specifically want to own a Fiat.

Fiat’s Certified Pre-Owned Warranty Information

For a vehicle to be sold as a Fiat certified pre-owned vehicle, it must meet the following criteria:

• Five years old or newer
• 75,000 miles or fewer
• Pass a 125-point inspection

Once a car meets all these criteria, it is warrantied and listed as a CPO vehicle.

What does Fiat’s Certified Pre-Owned Warranty Cover?

Every Fiat certified pre-owned car comes with a Comprehensive Limited warranty. Fiat’s CPO website does not have a comprehensive list of what is or is not covered by their warranty, which is strange. Most CPO programs have significantly more warranty information available. For example, Audi’s CPO program has a full list of what is not covered under their warranty.

We aren’t able to say what is covered with the Comprehensive Warranty that comes with a CPO Fiat. You’ll need to make sure that the Fiat dealership is crystal clear about what the warranty will cover and will not cover before making your purchase.

We do know that the warranty is transferable. This transferability significantly increases your resale value and can help you get the most money for your vehicle. Fiat does not disclose if there is or is not a fee for transferring the warranty.

Third-party sources report that there may be a warranty for covered repairs, although the exact amount or stipulations are not disclosed. Clarify with the dealership if there is a warranty before you make your purchase.

How long does Fiat’s Certified Pre-Owned Warranty Last?

Fiat’s CPO program includes a Comprehensive Limited warranty that lasts for six years or 80,000 miles, whichever comes first. It’s important to note that the warranty started when the vehicle was initially sold, not the day that you bought it.

If you compare the warrantied timeframe with the requirements to be in the CPO program, it’s possible to buy a car that is only warrantied for one year and 5,000 miles. You need to be careful when searching for a Fiat certified pre-owned car to ensure that you have the maximum warranty length possible. The newer, the better.

Fiat’s Certified Pre-Owned Inspection

Fiat conducts a 125-point inspection on all vehicles before they are sold as a certified pre-owned car. You can view the complete checklist online, but we’ll cover the main highlights:

• Qualification standards, including no frame damage and a clean title
• Ownership materials, including Carfax report and owner’s manual
• Pre-road test, including underhood checks and operational checks
• Road test, including steering performance and braking performance
• Post-road test, including fluid levels and inspecting for any leaks
• Maintenance standards, including inspecting air filter and oil level
• Exterior condition, including body panels condition and bumper condition
• Interior condition, including the instrument panel and seating condition
• Details standard, including exterior wash and wax

The Fiat inspection is thorough and examines all the points we would expect. While the inspection point count is slightly lower than others, it’s not low enough to be a concern.

Other Fiat Certified Pre-Owned Perks

Like other automakers, Fiat has chosen to include a handful of perks to tempt you to buy a Fiat certified pre-owned vehicle. Those perks are:

• A comprehensive Carfax report (are those trustworthy?)
• Three-month trial to SiriusXM
• 24/7 Roadside Assistance, covering emergency tows to a Fiat dealership, lockouts, jumpstarts, and flat tire service.
• Rental car allowance, although the exact stipulations are not disclosed

These perks are a standard offering for a CPO program. Nothing stands out as unique, but it’s good to have some bonuses if you’re going to buy a CPO Fiat anyway. We wish Fiat made more information available about their rental car allowance. That’s another item to clarify with the dealer before making your purchase.

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We are not impressed by the Fiat certified pre-owned program. What jumps out the most about their program is not the program itself, but how little information is available about it on their website. There are so many unanswered questions that you’ll have to ask when you visit the dealership.

While their inspection is thorough, we are displeased by their warranty offering. It’s possible to buy a CPO car that is only warrantied for 5,000 miles; that’s less than two oil changes. You’ll need to make sure you buy the right Fiat to avoid ending up with a short warranty.

Even though the inspection is thorough, we always recommend that you have a third-party mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection before you go through with the sale. Once the mechanic gives you their report, you’ll be ready to proceed or back out of the sale.

Ultimately, Fiat’s CPO program is only attractive to those specifically looking for a Fiat but who don’t want to pay new car prices. For everyone else, there are better CPO programs out there.

Land Rover Certified Pre-Owned Pro Review

by Zach Shefska | Last updated Jan 23, 2025 | Certified Pre-Owned

For many, Land Rover is the best luxury SUV brand in the market. They’ve made a name for themselves, and many people who are drawn to SUVs end up wanting a Land Rover. The problem is that they can be incredibly expensive to buy brand new. While you can always go for a used Land Rover, a better option is to go for a certified pre-owned (CPO) vehicle. A CPO vehicle has been thoroughly inspected and comes with a warranty, making it a great middle-ground between new and used.

We’re about to dive into the Land Rover certified pre-owned program and discuss the warranty, inspection, and bonuses that come with a CPO vehicle.

TLDR; We are pleased with the Land Rover certified pre-owned program. The two most crucial aspects of a CPO program are the warranty and the inspection, and Land Rover looks great in both of these areas. While we wish Land Rover would disclose a specific exclusion list on their website, their warranty offering is solid. They don’t offer many perks, but we don’t think bonuses should be a significant factor when buying a vehicle.

Land Rover’s Certified Pre-Owned Warranty Information

For a Land Rover to be sold as a Land Rover certified pre-owned vehicle, it must meet the following requirements:

• 60,000 miles or fewer
• Five years old or newer
• Pass a thorough 165-point inspection

It’s worth noting that the vehicle must score a perfect 100% on the inspection to be certified. If a single point fails, the car will not be certified until the failed area is repaired.

What does Land Rover’s Certified Pre-Owned Warranty Cover?

All Land Rover CPO vehicles come with a Land Rover Approved Certified Limited Warranty. They do not expressly state what is and is not covered on their CPO website. While third-party information is out there that suggests it only covers manufacturer’s defects, we would prefer that Land Rover directly state their warranty coverage.

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Land Rover states explicitly that the warranty is fully transferable to a new owner. They don’t mention if there’s a transfer fee, but either way, being able to transfer the warranty will boost the resale value of the Land Rover certified pre-owned vehicle.

We’re happy to see that Land Rover explicitly states that there is no deductible for repairs covered under the Approved Certified Limited Warranty.

How long does Land Rover’s Certified Pre-Owned Warranty Last?

The Land Rover Approved Certified Limited Warranty lasts for seven years or 100,000 miles, whichever comes first. However, coverage begins when the vehicle is first sold, and the odometer is at zero, not when you purchase the car.

When you compare the warranty duration to the CPO eligibility requirements, it’s clear that the shortest warranty you’ll end up with is two years and 40,000 miles. We think that’s still a decent warranty timeframe. Of course, if you buy a newer CPO vehicle, you’ll end up with a more extended warranty.

Land Rover’s Certified Pre-Owned Inspection

Every Land Rover has passed a 165-point inspection to become certified and warrantied. You can view a public-ready version of their checklist on their website, but we’ll cover the main points below:

• Eligibility, including checking the vehicle history report and searching for recalls
• Interior, including general interior condition and airbag system functionality
• Electrical tests, including interior lights and battery condition
• Heating/Air conditioning, including blower motor condition and HVAC pollen filter condition
• Exterior electrical tests, including hazard lights functionality and headlights condition
• Exterior, including general body and paintwork and glass windshield condition
• Luggage compartment, including tool kit and spare tire
• Engine area, including engine oil levels and air filter condition
• Drivetrain, including suspension and steering
• Stationary test, including engine idling and alternator condition
• Road test, including engine performance and wind noise
• Emissions testing

We’re pleased with this inspection checklist as it looks like every central point is inspected. Overall, 165 points of inspection is slightly above average for CPO programs. We would expect over 200 inspection points from an automaker with a reputation like Land Rover, but we aren’t disappointed in their inspection.

Other Land Rover Certified Pre-Owned Perks

Like other automakers, Land Rover has decided to include several perks with any Land Rover certified pre-owned vehicles. They are:

• Trip interruption benefits, including reimbursement for lodging and transportation, should your Land Rover become disabled due to a warrantable defect when you’re on a trip
• A Carfax Vehicle History Report (are those reliable?)
• 24/7 roadside assistance, including coverage for flat tires, fuel delivery, and lockouts.

We expected Land Rover to offer more competitive perks, but they’re at least offering the bare minimum. CPO perks should not be a significant factor in deciding whether to buy a car.

Ultimately, we are happy with the Land Rover certified pre-owned program. They include a lengthy warranty that will last for two years, and possibly more if the CPO vehicle is newer. We’re also happy with their inspection, although more inspection points would be appreciated. The warranty and inspection points are the most critical elements of any CPO program, and Land Rover does well in these areas.

Before you buy a Land Rover, make sure that you get a pre-purchase inspection before signing any contracts. These inspections are always recommended so that you have a better idea about the car’s condition from an independent source.

We think the Land Rover program is an excellent way for someone to get into a Land Rover without paying new car prices.

Alfa Romeo Certified Pre-Owned Pro Review

by Ray Shefska | Last updated Jan 23, 2025 | Certified Pre-Owned

Alfa Romeo is a legendary Italian automaker that has created quite the name for itself over the years. Due to their reputation and performance heritage, it’s expensive to get into a brand-new Alfa Romeo. Thankfully, Alfa Romeo has a certified pre-owned (CPO) vehicle program available. This program enables you to step into a premium vehicle without paying brand new prices.

We want to say upfront that there is no official Alfa Romeo certified pre-owned website. We typically pull our information from the manufacturer’s website for these articles to ensure accuracy. In this case, we’ve had to rely on local dealerships and third-party sources to gather the Alfa Romeo certified pre-owned program’s details. It’s worth noting that there is a notoriously low inventory of Alfa Romeo certified pre-owned vehicles. You’ll need to check with your closest dealership to see if they have any available before you get your heart set on their CPO program.

TLDR; We simply don’t have enough reliable information about the Alfa Romeo certified pre-owned program to make a firm decision. Without an official website, we’re left scraping information from wherever we can find it, and we’d prefer to hear the information directly from the source. However, we are displeased by their CPO warranty offering, and we’d like to see the inspection checklist. While the perks are lacking, we don’t think that matters when talking about an Alfa Romeo.

Alfa Romeo’s Certified Pre-Owned Warranty Information

To be eligible for the Alfa Romeo certified pre-owned program, the vehicle must meet the following criteria:

• Five years old or newer
• 50,000 miles or fewer
• Pass a 175-point inspection

Once these requirements are met, the car will be sold and warrantied as a CPO vehicle.

What does Alfa Romeo’s Certified Pre-Owned Warranty Cover?

An Alfa Romeo certified pre-owned vehicle comes with two warranties: the Powertrain Limited Warranty and the Maximum Care Coverage Warranty.

The Powertrain Limited Warranty is specific to the powertrain and covers the engine, transmission, and drivetrain. The Maximum Care Coverage Warranty is their bumper-to-bumper warranty that covers most components in the vehicle.

For both warranties, the issue must be related to a manufacturer’s defect to be covered. Any problems related to misuse, neglect, or maintenance will not be covered under either warranty. To maintain warranty eligibility, you’ll need to ensure that you abide by the maintenance schedule and keep detailed records.

We’re glad to see that there are no deductibles for warrantied repairs. That’s a mark of an excellent CPO program.

Both warranties are transferable to a new party, significantly boosting your resale value should you decide to sell your car. However, there is a $150 transfer fee, but that can be worked into the sale price.

How long does Alfa Romeo’s Certified Pre-Owned Warranty Last?

Alfa Romeo has taken after other automakers and offered two warranties with different durations:

Powertrain Limited Warranty

• Seven years or 100,000 miles, whichever occurs first
• Begins when the vehicle was first purchased

Maximum Care Coverage Warranty

• Three months or 3,000 miles, whichever occurs first
• Begins when you bought the vehicle

We are surprised to see that the Maximum Care Coverage Warranty only lasts three months or 3,000 miles. That’s the same duration as an average oil change. It’s unreasonable to expect a manufacturer’s defect to appear in such a specific timeframe.

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The powertrain warranty is a perfect length, however. It’s on par with other automakers and is long enough to reveal any manufacturer defects with the vehicle. We always like to see a separate warranty that’s explicitly focused on the powertrain.

Alfa Romeo’s Certified Pre-Owned Inspection

All Alfa Romeo certified pre-owned vehicles have passed a thorough 175-point inspection and scored 100%. Unfortunately, we were unable to locate even a rough checklist of the Alfa Romeo inspection points. All we’ve found is that they inspect 175 points, and that’s the end of it.

We believe that they inspect all 175 points, but not making the checklist available to the public is a mark against the program.

Other Alfa Romeo Certified Pre-Owned Perks

Every automaker includes at least a few perks with their CPO program, and Alfa Romeo is no different. Their perks are:

• 24/7 Roadside Assistance, including emergency towing, lockout assistance, and fuel delivery
• Rental car allowance, up to $35 per day for up to five days
• Carfax Vehicle History Report (are those trustworthy?)
• Three-month subscription to SiriusXM

All of these perks are incredibly standard, and nothing jumps out as unique. However, if you’re in the market for an Alfa Romeo, you’re likely not all that interested in the perks.

Overall, we are not thrilled with the Alfa Romeo certified pre-owned program. The Maximum Care Coverage Warranty is far too short. Fortunately, the Powertrain Limited Warranty lasts much longer to make up for it.

We’re also not happy about the lack of a publicly available inspection checklist. While 175 inspection points is quite a bit, we’d like to see what they are. The unverified inspection points mean you must have a pre-purchase inspection completed by a third-party mechanic before making your purchase.

If you’re looking at buying an Alfa Romeo certified pre-owned vehicle, you will likely be more interested in the reduced-price tag than the inspection and warranty. The inspection and warranty are the most crucial elements of a CPO program, and Alfa Romeo lacks in both departments. We’d like to see the inspection checklist, and for that matter, Alfa Romeo needs an official website for their CPO program.

Lincoln Certified Pre-Owned Pro Review

by Ray Shefska | Last updated Jan 23, 2025 | Certified Pre-Owned

Lincoln is one of the top names in the luxury vehicle market. If you’re looking at getting into a Lincoln, you should consider looking into their certified pre-owned (CPO) program. You’ll be looking at cars that have been inspected and come with a warranty. It’s a nice compromise between buying a new car and buying a used car.

We’re about to look at the Lincoln certified pre-owned program, including the warranty offering, the inspection process, and the included perks.

TLDR; We’re pleased with the Lincoln CPO program. Although an extended warranty or separate powertrain warranty (like General Motors) would be appreciated, the existing warranty offering is sufficient. They have a thorough inspection process that gives us faith in the quality of the cars they’re selling.

Lincoln’s Certified Pre-Owned Warranty Information

Every Lincoln certified pre-owned vehicle must meet the following requirements:

• Passed a 200-point inspection
• 60,000 miles or fewer
• Clean Carfax report

Once these conditions are met, the car will be warrantied and sold as a Lincoln certified pre-owned vehicle.

What does Lincoln’s Certified Pre-Owned Warranty Cover?

Every Lincoln certified pre-owned vehicle includes a Comprehensive Limited Warranty. While they direct you to contact the dealership for the warranty manual, they do provide a list of the significant areas that are covered:

• Brakes
• Steering components
• Front-wheel drive system
• Rear-wheel drive system
• Transmission
• Engine
• Front and rear suspension
• Electrical systems
• Air conditioning and heating
• Technology components
• Emissions
• Factory audio system
• Safety system

Overall, they say that their warranty protects more than 1,000 components. Lincoln says you’re protected against failure of all covered components due to abnormal wear resulting from defective materials or workmanship, in addition to mechanical breakdowns.

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We want to dive deeper into what this coverage means, but they don’t make a comprehensive warranty manual available on their website. You’ll need to clarify what this phraseology means when you visit the dealership. Does it mean they’ll buy you new tires if the wheel alignment is off due to poor workmanship, resulting in uneven wear on your tires? It’s an important distinction to make. They state that the warranty excludes ‘wear-and-tear’ items, but what if a part is worn down faster due to their workmanship?

Lincoln does not discuss if they have a deductible on warrantied repairs. If they had made a warranty manual available online, we’d be able to tell if there was a deductible. Instead, you’ll need to ask the dealership if there is a deductible on covered repairs.

How long does Lincoln’s Certified Pre-Owned Warranty Last?

Lincoln’s Comprehensive Limited Warranty lasts for six years or 100,000 miles, whichever comes first. The clock started when the car was initially purchased, however, not when you bought the vehicle.

When compared to the mileage requirements to be included in the CPO program, you’ll at least have 40,000 miles left on the warranty, possibly more. We believe that this is a perfect amount of time for any manufacturer’s defects to become apparent.

However, we would like to see Lincoln add another warranty to the end of the Comprehensive Limited Warranty. Another alternative would be adding a powertrain warranty to the overall warranty offering.  

The warranty is completely transferable to a new party if you decide to sell your car while it’s still covered. We love to see this policy, as it significantly increases your resale value if you choose to sell your vehicle.

Lincoln’s Certified Pre-Owned Inspection

Lincoln performs a 200-point inspection of all cars before they are sold as certified pre-owned vehicles. You can view the complete list online at the Lincoln website, but we’ll cover the main points below:

• Vehicle history report, including VIN inspection and a clean title
• Road test, including engine idle functionality and cruise control functionality
• Vehicle exterior, including body panel condition and bumper condition
• Vehicle interior, including airbag functionality and interior amenities condition
• Vehicle diagnostics, including checking for any current or historical trouble codes
• Underhood, including fluid levels and timing belt condition
• Underbody, including checking for frame damage and emissions control test
• For hybrids, check the hybrid cooling system and the 110V power outlet functionality

Once a vehicle has scored a perfect 100% on Lincoln’s inspection, it will be warrantied and sold as a CPO car.

Lincoln inspects more points on their cars than many other automakers (Volkswagen only inspects 112 points). We’re happy to see that they’re conducting a thorough inspection, as we believe the inspection is a vital element of the overall CPO program.

Other Lincoln Certified Pre-Owned Perks

Like other automakers, Lincoln has decided to offer a few bonuses to go along with all their certified pre-owned vehicles. These perks are:

• Carfax Vehicle History Report
• 24/7 Roadside Assistance, covering emergency tows, flat tire replacement, lockout services, and battery jump starts

Surprisingly, those are the only perks listed on their certified pre-owned website. It’s a minimal perk offering. It’s possible that they think the same way we do, that perks should not persuade you into buying a car.

Overall, we are pleased with the Lincoln certified pre-owned program. They have a thorough inspection and reasonable warranty offering, which are the two most essential parts of any CPO program. While they could stand to offer more perks, that’s not a mark against them in our eyes.

Even though Lincoln has a thorough inspection process, you should still have a third-party mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection before making your purchase.

The Lincoln certified pre-owned program is a perfect way for Lincoln fans to get into one without breaking the bank on a new car.

Mercedes-Benz Certified Pre-Owned Review

by Ray Shefska | Last updated Jan 23, 2025 | Certified Pre-Owned

Mercedes-Benz is the ultimate name in luxury cars. If you want a smooth ride with an impeccably designed interior, you want a Mercedes-Benz. However, the new car price is often a deterrent. Luckily, a certified pre-owned (CPO) program is available that allows you to buy a Mercedes-Benz that has been inspected and comes with a warranty.

We’re about to go over the Mercedes-Benz certified pre-owned program, including the warranty, inspection process, and any included perks.

TLDR; We like what we see about the Mercedes-Benz CPO program, but there simply isn’t enough verifiable information available about the program to make a firm call. Their website does not discuss warranty coverage, nor do they disclose the official inspection checklist. We might be able to let the lack of a checklist slide, but not letting us know what is and is not covered by the warranty is disappointing.

Mercedes-Benz’s Certified Pre-Owned Warranty Information

To be considered for the Mercedes-Benz certified pre-owned program, a vehicle must meet the following criteria:

• Clean Carfax vehicle history report
• Six model years old or newer
• 75,000 miles or fewer
• Serviced according to the maintenance schedule

Something that jumps out about their eligibility requirements is the maintenance schedule adherence. Other programs make sure that vehicles have had oil changes, but Mercedes-Benz ensures that the owner’s manual maintenance schedule has been followed.

What does Mercedes-Benz’s Certified Pre-Owned Warranty Cover?

Every Mercedes-Benz will be covered by either the New Vehicle Limited Warranty or the CPO Limited Warranty when purchased. Mercedes-Benz does not make any warranty literature available on their website, and we don’t want to rely on third-party reports about what’s covered.

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The fine print on their CPO page says that you’ll need to talk to the dealer about exclusions and details about the warranties. You should make this the first thing you talk about when you arrive at the dealership: what is covered in the warranty.

Since there is no separate powertrain warranty discussed, you’ll also need to ensure that the provided warranty covers the powertrain.

It’s not clear if the warranty is transferable to a new party. You’ll need to clarify with the dealer if this warranty is transferable, as this will significantly impact resale value should you decide to sell your car.

How long does Mercedes-Benz’s Certified Pre-Owned Warranty Last?

The Mercedes-Benz certified pre-owned warranty lasts for one year with no mileage cap. The year begins when you purchase the vehicle or the date that the New Vehicle Limited Warranty has expired.

The New Vehicle Limited Warranty covers the vehicle for four years and 50,000 miles, which means that not every CPO vehicle sold will have this coverage. However, every CPO car will at least have the CPO Limited Warranty for at least one year.

We think one year is a bit too short for a CPO warranty. We’d like to see it doubled or even tripled since one year might not be enough time for manufacturer defects to show themselves.

The CPO warranty may be extended by up to two additional years. The cost for doing this is not disclosed, so this is something you’ll have to discuss with the dealership.

Mercedes-Benz’s Certified Pre-Owned Inspection

Every vehicle that’s sold as a Mercedes-Benz certified pre-owned vehicle has passed a 165-point inspection. Unlike other automakers, Mercedes-Benz does not make the full checklist available online. However, they do go over what is inspected in the online CPO manual, but we’ll cover the main highlights below:

• Appearance, including any scuffs or scratches
• Chassis, including steering and suspension
• Electrical, including headlamps and fuses
• Engine, including transmission and brake clutch
• Materials, including the owner’s manual and spare keys

We do not like that they have not made their exact checklist available online. Almost every automaker with a CPO program has posted their inspection checklist in plain sight. However, we’re supposed to take Mercedes-Benz’s word that there are 165 points being inspected, even though we don’t know what those points are.

Other Mercedes-Benz Certified Pre-Owned Perks

Every Mercedes-Benz certified pre-owned vehicle comes with a selection of bonuses, just like other automakers. The perks provided by Mercedes-Benz are:

• Special financing options for specific CPO models
• 24/7 Personal Assistance that helps route trips and includes roadside assistance that covers jump-starts, refueling, and tire changes
• Vehicle Exchange Privilege, which allows you seven days and 500 miles to exchange your vehicle for another CPO vehicle if you are not satisfied
• Carfax Vehicle History Report (but are those reliable?)
• A three-month trial to SiriusXM

Most of these perks are standard. However, one jumps out as unique to Mercedes-Benz: Vehicle Exchange Privilege. Having the ability to exchange your car for a different CPO car is incredible. It’s unlikely that you’ll suddenly discover any major issues within the timeframe, but you may drive it enough to realize that it’s just not the right fit. Instead of driving it for years, you can trade it in and find a better fit.

Overall, we simply don’t have enough information to make a firm call on the Mercedes-Benz certified pre-owned program. The Vehicle Exchange Privilege is fantastic, but the lack of public information about warranty coverage and their inspection process leaves us worried. We do like how the CPO Limited Warranty is added on to the end of the New Vehicle Limited Warranty if one is still active.

Please make sure that you have an independent mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection before making your purchase. The mechanic will let you know if there are any current or potential issues with the car before signing the contract.