BMW Certified Pre-Owned Review

by Zach Shefska | Last updated Dec 8, 2020 | Certified Pre-Owned

All around the world, BMW has a specific reputation for providing quality, luxurious cars. However, buying a brand-new BMW is quite costly. That’s why we recommend going for the BMW certified pre-owned vehicle program. You can get into a BMW that’s been inspected and has a warranty without paying new car prices.

TLDR; We like the BMW certified pre-owned program. Although, the lack of a separate powertrain warranty does bring down the entire program. Most other programs include a powertrain warranty. We do appreciate that they add the CPO warranty to the end of the New Vehicle warranty. Their inspection process is thorough, and they offer great perks. The BMW CPO program is a great way to get into a BMW.  

BMW’s Certified Pre-Owned Warranty Information

BMW says their CPO program is “selective from the start.” While that’s an excellent sales pitch, what does it mean? Here’s what we’ve gathered:

• Less than 60,000 miles on the odometer
• A “late-model” vehicle with more than 300 miles on it
• A clean Carfax or AutoCheck report
• Only has genuine BMW parts
• An up-to-date maintenance history

The lack of a specific age range is a bit concerning, but with a 60,000-mile maximum, most vehicles will only be a few years old. We love the program criteria because they require an up-to-date maintenance history for the car, which is not standard for other CPO programs.

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

Every BMW certified pre-owned vehicle includes comprehensive coverage that kicks in after the New Vehicle warranty expires. We love to see automakers add a new warranty to the end of the New Vehicle warranty instead of replacing it.

The CPO warranty has the same coverage as the New Vehicle warranty, described as “specific defects in materials and workmanship.” They also include a complete breakdown of what is not covered:

• Maintenance, such as oil changes and replacing brake pads
• Upkeep, such as engine drive belt replacement and wheel alignment
• Suspension, such as ball joints and tie rod ends
• Body, such as mounts and partitions
• Interior, such as bulbs and floor mats
• Any non-original equipment parts, components, and accessories

While this might seem like a long list of what they don’t cover, it’s all relatively standard for CPO programs. Most CPO programs are a little more specific about what they will cover. Based on our interpretation, BMW will cover repairs if they are related to a manufacturer defect.

The warranty may be transferred to a new party, which significantly increases your resale value.

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

Every BMW certified pre-owned vehicle comes with whatever is remaining on the New Vehicle Warranty, if anything, which lasts for four years and 50,000 miles. After that warranty expires, the CPO warranty kicks in, which provides one year of coverage with unlimited mileage.

Since one of the requirements to be in the BMW certified pre-owned program is to have less than 60,000 miles, it is possible to buy a CPO vehicle with a New Vehicle warranty that has already expired. Fortunately, you’ll still be covered by the new warranty. Although, this does mean you would benefit from buying a newer CPO vehicle, if possible.

You may purchase extended protection at any point during the warranty to extend your coverage. BMW offers a few different types of extended warranties that you can view on their website.

BMW’s Certified Pre-Owned Inspection

BMW performs a thorough inspection of every vehicle before it’s certified. Unlike almost every other automaker, they don’t talk about how many inspection points they have. Instead, they call it a “360-degree vehicle inspection.” Even on their inspection checklist, they don’t number the inspection points. So, what are they inspecting? Let’s take a look:

• Vehicle background, including maintenance records and VIN report
• Wheel assembly, including tire measurements and brake inspection
• Body and mechanical, including bumper condition and glass condition
• Mechanic, including belt tensioners and exhaust system
• Stationary review, including pedal function and driver’s seat functions
• Road test, including pedal function and navigation system functionality
• Rolling review, including cold/hot starting and ABS condition

Something that jumps out about their inspection process is that their checklist has a section for “comments.” Most automakers have a simple “pass” or “fail” checklist. BMW may include this section for many possible reasons, but we like to think it was so they could more accurately describe the component’s condition.

Other BMW Certified Pre-Owned Perks

Most automakers provide perks with every CPO vehicle they sell, and BMW is no different. Here are the bonuses you can expect if you buy a BMW certified pre-owned vehicle:

• 24/7 roadside assistance for the duration of your warranty, including lockout assistance, fuel delivery, emergency tows, and jump-starts
• Trip interruption, providing coverage of up $1,000 per incident if your car breaks down “far” from home (although “far” is not explicitly defined)
• BMW Assist, which is a safety plan that provides emergency assistance and can detect collisions
• Loaner vehicles directly from the dealership during the duration of your warranty, if your vehicle is in for covered repairs
• Three months of SiriusXM
• A comprehensive Vehicle History Report

Some of these perks are standard, while others go above and beyond what is par for the course. Providing loaner cars directly from the dealership is a unique benefit and prevents the hassle of having to deal with a rental car business or going through the reimbursement process. We also appreciate the trip interruption perk.

We recommend the BMW certified pre-owned program. They provide a thorough vehicle inspection, although they don’t use the point-based system other automakers use. We do wish they offered a specific extended powertrain warranty. They make up for this lack of warranty with their other offerings, but overall the absence of a powertrain warranty does bring the program down. Ultimately, it’s an excellent program for someone looking to get into a BMW who doesn’t want to go for a brand-new car.

Ford Certified Pre-Owned Review

by Zach Shefska | Last updated Dec 8, 2020 | Certified Pre-Owned

Buying a Ford certified pre-owned vehicle is a fantastic way to own a relatively new Ford that comes with a warranty and has been inspected. You don’t need to pay new car prices to have a car with a warranty. We often advise people to go for a CPO vehicle over a Craigslist used car since you know the vehicle you’re buying has been inspected and comes warrantied.

We’re about to dive deep into the Ford CPO program, where we’ll discuss the warranty, inspection process, and go over the perks they offer.

TLDR; Ford’s warranty is unimpressive, but it’s also not disappointing. They are offering an industry-standard warranty. Their inspection process, while thorough, is also industry standard. There’s nothing that jumps out as unique or exciting about the Ford CPO program. If you’re a fan of Ford, it’s still worth buying a Ford CPO over a generic used Ford off the side of the road. 

Ford’s Certified Pre-Owned Warranty Information

The Ford certified pre-owned program includes two warranties that are on par with the industry standard. They don’t rise above the average, but they also don’t fall below it. To be eligible for the Ford CPO program, a car must meet the following criteria:

• Less than 80,000 miles
• Five model years old or newer

The mileage requirement is slightly higher than other automakers, who generally set the bar at 50,000 miles.

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

When you buy a Ford certified pre-owned vehicle, you’ll receive two warranties that cover different parts of your car.

Comprehensive Limited Warranty which covers over 1,000 components including:

• Engine
• Electrical system
• Brakes
• Steering components
• Front and rear-wheel drive
• Safety systems

Ford also provides a Powertrain Limited Warranty, which covers:

• Engine
• Transmission
• Drivetrain

Both of these warranties are offering industry standard coverage. This can be considered a good thing since they aren’t dipping below the industry standard. However, we would like to see more components covered in the Comprehensive Limited Warranty.

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

The Ford certified pre-owned program provides two warranties of different lengths:

1. Comprehensive Limited Warranty: 12 months or 12,000 miles, whichever comes first
2. Powertrain Limited Warranty: Seven-year or 100,000 miles, whichever comes first

Both of these warranties are fully transferable to new owners with no transfer fee, enhancing your resale value.

Ford also offers Extended Service Plans, which cover more areas of the vehicle and have varying durations. These plans are available at a Ford dealer, and they do not post any information about them on their website.

It’s important to note that Ford does not explicitly mention what happens when you buy a CPO car that still has the New Vehicle Warranty. They should state whether or not that warranty will carry over, and if the CPO warranty kicks in after it expires. Perhaps it means you won’t be receiving a CPO warranty. This policy needs to be stated directly.

Both of their warranty durations are relatively standard for the auto industry. The Comprehensive Limited Warranty duration is the same as most other competitors, while the Powertrain Limited Warranty is slightly lower than others, as some offer ten years.

Ford’s Certified Pre-Owned Inspection

Every Ford certified pre-owned vehicle has been through a rigorous 172-point inspection. You can view the complete inspection checklist on their website, but we’ll go over the significant points:

• Vehicle history, including inspecting the VIN and looking through service recalls
• Road test, including engine starts, engine acceleration, and engine noise
• Exterior, including body condition and power liftgate functionality
• Vehicle interior, including interior amenities condition and navigation system functionality
• Vehicle diagnostics, primarily a self-test for all CMDTCs
• Underhood, including engine oil levels and belt conditions
• Hybrid/electric vehicles have unique inspection points, such as charging components and hybrid cooling system
• Underbody, including the presence of frame damage and tire tread depth
• Convenience, including owners guide and a complete set of keys

Providing a 172-point inspection is more thorough than some competitors, but not by much. It is an average amount of inspection points. We’re unimpressed by their inspection process, but still, we aren’t disappointed in it.  

We should highlight that this is Ford’s internal inspection. You should still have your own pre-purchase inspection done.

Other Ford Certified Pre-Owned Perks

Every Ford certified pre-owned vehicle comes with many perks. Ford provides these perks both as a ‘thank you’ and to persuade you to buy a Ford CPO vehicle. The perks are:

• A three-month subscription to SiriusXM
• 24/7 roadside assistance for the duration of the Powertrain Limited Warranty, which covers lockouts, flat tires, emergency tows, and gas delivery
• A Vehicle History report
• You can buy a Ford certified pre-owned vehicle with Ford Credit, which is their unique credit offering which gives you the ability to return the car within one year

This perk offering is pretty small as compared to other automakers. We’re a little surprised since Ford is such a big name in the auto world. Perhaps it’s for this reason that they don’t feel the need to offer too many perks?

Overall, the Ford certified pre-owned program is average in every way. They only fall below average with their perk offering, but that’s not as important. The critical aspects of a CPO vehicle are the warranty and inspection, and they’re perfectly average in those regards. Being average is certainly better than being subpar. We recommend this program for fans of Ford. If you are looking for a reliable certified pre-owned vehicle, Ford is an acceptable way to go, but there are other automakers with better programs.

Kia Certified Pre-Owned Review

by Ray Shefska | Last updated Dec 3, 2020 | Certified Pre-Owned

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:

1. Comprehensive Platinum Coverage warranty – 12 months or 12,000 miles
2. 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.

Chrysler Certified Pre-Owned Review

by Ray Shefska | Last updated Dec 3, 2020 | Certified Pre-Owned

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:

1. Basic warranty – Lasts for 3 months or 3,000 miles, whichever comes first.
2. 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

by Ray Shefska | Last updated Dec 3, 2020 | Certified Pre-Owned

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

by Ray Shefska | Last updated Dec 3, 2020 | Certified Pre-Owned

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.

Mazda Certified Pre-Owned Review

by Ray Shefska | Last updated Dec 2, 2020 | Certified Pre-Owned

You’ll feel confident with your purchase when buying a Mazda certified pre-owned vehicle. Their 160-point inspection carefully scrutinizes and tests every major and minor component in each car before it earns the ‘certified pre-owned’ designation.

We’re about to go over the warranty that comes along with buying a Mazda CPO, along with talking about what that warranty covers, and then looking at the inspection process itself. We’ll also take a look at what else comes with a Mazda certified pre-owned vehicle. If this is your first time buying a car, we also suggest learning a few car buying tips to help you out.

TLDR; Mazda’s certified pre-owned program is pretty standard, which is a good thing. There are no surprises. Each car receives a thorough inspection and is then covered by a good warranty. The only part we don’t like is that the powertrain warranty begins when the vehicle is first sold, not when you buy it. Other than that, we like the Mazda certified pre-owned program.

Mazda’s Certified Pre-Owned Warranty Information

After a vehicle has completed the inspection process and passed with flying colors, it is then sold with a Mazda certified pre-owned warranty. That warranty will cover any manufacturer defects that arise, with no deductible on repairs (provided you go to a Mazda dealership).

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

Mazda has a somewhat average, yet still useful, certified pre-owned warranty. Their CPO warranty comes in two parts and covers:

CPO Vehicle Limited Warranty

• Valid for 12 months or 12,000 miles, whichever comes first
• Average warranty length for a certified pre-owned car
• Covers the interior and exterior, as long as the issue is related to a manufacturer defect

Limited Powertrain Warranty

• Valid for seven years or 100,000 miles, whichever comes first
• Covers engine, drivetrain, and transmission issues
• Timeframe starts from the original sale date

Please be aware that these warranties don’t mean that every issue you encounter will be covered. For one, they won’t cover accidents. For two, there are numerous caveats in the fine print:

• To be covered for repairs, the part or repair in question must be specifically covered in the warranty documentation.
• No services are covered under this warranty, such as oil changes.
• If aftermarket parts damage the powertrain, such as a turbocharger or supercharger, the repairs will not be covered.
• Damage that results from negligence, like if you never change the oil, is not covered.
• Any issues caused by unreasonable use will not be covered, such as driving through a flooded road.
• If the odometer has been replaced or is damaged, no repairs will be covered.

That might seem like a ton of fine print. Essentially, do all your maintenance and services at Mazda dealerships, be a responsible owner when it comes to usage and modifications, and your warranty will remain intact. While we’re on the topic of fine print, it pays to learn some auto industry jargon before you visit the dealership.

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

The limited vehicle warranty, which you could also call a bumper-to-bumper warranty, lasts for 12 months or 12,000 miles. The powertrain warranty lasts for seven years or 100,000 miles; however, those numbers start when the car was initially sold.

One nice aspect of the Mazda warranty is that if the CPO vehicle is still covered by the New Vehicle Limited Warranty (3-years, 36,000 miles), that warranty remains in effect. Once that warranty expires, then the CPO Limited Vehicle Warranty kicks in. Keep this in mind when shopping for a Mazda certified pre-owned vehicle; the newer, the better.

Both of the warranties they offer on CPO cars are transferable to the new party if you decide to sell your car, too. The warranties increase your resale value should you decide to sell within the warranty’s timeframe.

Mazda’s Certified Pre-Owned Inspection

Mazda certified pre-owned vehicles undergo a 160-point inspection before being certified and receiving the warranties discussed above. You can view more about their assessment in the official CPO brochure, but we’ll go over some of the main points:

• Frame and exterior, including all lights, confirming that there’s no frame damage and that turn signals work properly
• Brakes, including all linings and fittings, brake springs, and other braking components
• Steering, including seals and gaskets, upper and lower ball joints and control arms, gear housing, and linkages
• Suspension, including the rear axle, spindle and spindle supports, and linkages
• Electrical, including starter, windshield wiper, alternator, and heated backglass
• Transmission, including transfer case, seals and gaskets, and torque converter
• Engine, including timing belt, thermostat, water pump, oil pan, and oil pump

They’ll also perform any required maintenance, such as giving it an oil change before leaving the inspection facility.

Please note that this is different from a pre-purchase inspection, which you should definitely also have done.

Other Mazda Certified Pre-Owned Perks

Mazda has included quite a few perks to tempt people into buying a Mazda certified pre-owned car.

One great perk that Mazda provides is 24/7 emergency roadside assistance for the duration of the seven-year / 100,000 powertrain warranty. Their roadside assistance covers:

• Gas delivery
• Towing to an authorized Mazda dealership
• Flat-tire changes
• Jump starts
• Lockout assistance

Every Mazda certified pre-owned car also comes with a complete AutoCheck vehicle history report and three-year buyback protection provided by Experian.

Mazda provides all CPO customers with a 3-month subscription to SiriusXM, too. Not necessary, but something you might appreciate.

It’s worth noting that Mazda does not provide any allowance for a rental car if your vehicle is in for warrantied repairs, unlike some other manufacturers. This is where a third party vehicle service contract could provide additional value to you.

We believe that Mazda certified pre-owned vehicles are thoroughly inspected, fairly warrantied, and the right car can be a great buy (depending on the financial numbers). Buying a certified pre-owned has many advantages over buying a standard used car and should always be a priority.

Dodge Certified Pre-Owned Review

by Ray Shefska | Last updated Dec 3, 2020 | Certified Pre-Owned

Buying a certified pre-owned vehicle is a great way to have the sticker price of a used car but with all of the same confidence you have when purchasing a new car. You’re guaranteed to receive a car that has undergone a comprehensive inspection to ensure that everything is as it should be and the vehicle is ready to sell.

Compared to buying a used car off of the street, it instills a lot of confidence in the vehicle that you’re buying. We’re about to go into the Dodge certified pre-owned warranty, their inspection process, and other perks you get when you buy a Dodge CPO.

TLDR; We love the length of the powertrain warranty. It’s one of the best in the industry. They also provide some useful perks that every automobile owner will appreciate. We dislike the short bumper-to-bumper warranty, though. The $100 deductible for repairs under warranty is also unreasonable, as many manufacturers do not charge a deductible.

Dodge’s Certified Pre-Owned Warranty Information

To qualify for the inspection process and become a Dodge certified pre-owned vehicle, the automobile must be less than 5 model years old. It also must have less than 75,000 miles.

If a vehicle meets the criteria, then it can be part of the program. After inspection, they are sold with the Dodge certified pre-owned warranty. This warranty covers a variety of issues that stem from manufacturer defects (accidents are not covered). 

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

Dodge has an interesting philosophy when it comes to their CPO warranty. They want to cover the powertrain for quite some time, but the bumper-to-bumper coverage is extremely short. Let’s take a look:

Bumper-To-Bumper Warranty:

• Lasts for three years or 3,000 miles (whichever comes first)
• Covers almost every component in and out of the vehicle
• Includes electrical issues
• Transferable to a private party

Powertrain Warranty

• Lasts for seven years or 100,000 miles (whichever comes first)
• Covers drivetrain, engine, and transmission
• Transferable to a private party

One major downside to both warranties is that there is a $100 deductible for covered repairs. Such a deductible is unusual in the industry; most manufacturer warranties have no deductible. Over the life of a vehicle, those $100 deductibles can undoubtedly add up. There’s a lot to know about why warranties are so often sold, and the fees are part of it.

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

The Dodge certified pre-owned bumper-to-bumper warranty lasts either 3,000 miles or three years, while the powertrain warranty lasts 100,000 miles or seven years.

Our most significant critique of the Dodge certified pre-owned warranty is easily the short length of the bumper-to-bumper warranty. We think 3,000 miles is absurdly low, and someone who drives a relatively average amount could rack that up in just a few months. Think about how often you get an oil change – that’s how long the warranty lasts.

The powertrain warranty even beats the new Dodge vehicles’ warranty by two years (they include a 5-year warranty).

It’s interesting how there’s such a stark contrast between the two Dodge warranties offered in the CPO program. While we’re uncertain about their motivations or philosophy, we do appreciate the extended powertrain warranty. Purchasing a third-party vehicle service contract to “extend” the bumper-to-bumper warranty is not a bad idea when it comes to Dodge CPO vehicles.

Dodge’s Certified Pre-Owned Inspection

Dodge has a 125-point inspection that certifies that the vehicle is in roadworthy condition. They’ll lose money if they approve a car that breaks down a few miles down the road since every CPO vehicle comes with a warranty.

What’s on the inspection list? You can read the full list on their official website, but we’ll go over a few highlights:

• Under the hood checks, such as hood release, throttle linkage system, and charging system operation
• Operational checks, such as the airbag system, seat belts, mirror adjustment, and door locks
• Road test, such as ease of starting, cold-idle quality, and gear selector operation
• Steering performance, such as power steering, alignment, and tracking performance
• Equipment operation, such as cruise control and overdrive
• Powertrain performance, such as acceleration performance, steady throttle performance, and downshifting performance
• Braking performance, such as vehicle tracking, antilock brake systems, and overall stopping performance.
• Post-road test, such as hot restart performance, fluid levels check, and fluid leaks
• Maintenance standards, such as inspecting tire sidewall condition, exhaust system, and brake lining
• Appearance standards, covering both the interior and exterior, ensuring that the overall appearance is as close to new as possible
• Detailing standards, including cleaning and touching up the interior and exterior

As you can see, it’s quite a thorough list. However, it’s on par with the inspections performed by other vehicle manufacturers in their certified pre-owned programs. All of the manufacturers try to one-up each other with their inspection list, and over the years, this practice has resulted in most of them being quite similar.

Before you visit the car dealership, make sure you know our tips for first-time car buyers.

Other Dodge Certified Pre-Owned Perks

Many car manufacturers like to throw in extra bonuses with their CPO vehicles, and Dodge isn’t any different. Buying a Dodge with a CPO warranty provides the following perks:

• 24-hour roadside assistance (flat tire, battery jump, towing, gas delivery, lockout service), up to $100 per occurrence
• If your car or truck undergoes repairs for covered issues, you’ll receive a rental car coverage of $35 per day, up to $175.
• As a nice bonus, all Dodge certified pre-owned vehicles include a three-month trial to SiriusXM satellite radio. 

We don’t think the Dodge certified pre-owned warranty is industry-leading by any stretch of the imagination, but the transferability and extended powertrain warranty are certainly highlights. As long as you’re getting a good out-the-door price on it, a pre-owned Dodge is a decent way to go. The inspection alone is why we always suggest going for a certified pre-owned vehicle over a random used car, when at all possible.