Our guide details which car brands have the most comprehensive warranties for certified used cars
Newer used cars for sale.
By Keith Barry
A key advantage of buying a certified pre-owned (CPO) car is the extended warranty, which often gives second owners another year or two of coverage. But warranty benefits vary by manufacturer.
When shopping for a CPO car, you’ll want to make sure you’re getting what you pay for because they do carry a price premium: The average listed price for a CPO vehicle is about 1.8 percent higher than a comparable non-certified used car, according to Kelley Blue Book. CPO cars typically have less than 50,000 miles and have been serviced, maintained, and inspected by a new car dealer.
Dealerships can offer their own certification or use an automaker-backed program. Consumers are better off with the official CPO programs because they have full support from the car company and ensure nationwide warranty support, whereas other programs may have significant restrictions.
Below, we list the CPO program warranty coverage from most major automakers and explain what that coverage includes. Our information is current as of the date of publication, but it’s meant only to help you narrow down your choice of brand. Be sure to check the manufacturer’s website and official warranty terms and conditions for more details.
How Long Do CPO Warranties Last?
You might hear automakers brag about a five- or seven-year warranty on CPO cars. But these long warranties don’t start from the date you purchase the vehicle. Rather, they start from the original in-service date, which is when the car was first registered as a new vehicle. You can find this date on a vehicle history report, or the dealership can provide it to you. The model year does not matter. For example, if a CPO 2023 Acura MDX was first registered as a new vehicle on Oct. 1, 2022, its seven-year/100,000-mile warranty would be good until Oct. 1, 2029, or until the SUV reaches 100,000 miles—whichever comes first.
Other automakers advertise warranties that start from the date the new owner takes delivery of a vehicle, which is the case with Volvo’s one-year warranty.
When a warranty lists both a time limit and a mileage limit, the coverage is for whichever ends first. For example, a vehicle with a five-year/100,000-mile warranty does not have coverage if the odometer says 105,000 miles, even if the car is only two years old.
Many automakers, such as Honda, have special websites advertising their CPO programs and vehicles.
Photo: Honda
What Does a CPO Warranty Cover?
As with all warranties, CPO warranty coverage is often divided into two types of coverage for defects and failures:
Powertrain warranties usually cover the engine, transmission, and drive axles.
Limited warranties, also known as bumper-to-bumper warranties, usually cover everything else.
Unless you purchase special coverage, warranties don’t cover maintenance items such as brake pads and tires. In addition, warranties don’t cover damage or improper maintenance. Emissions warranties, including hybrid battery and powertrain coverage, are often separated out and usually last eight years or 100,000 miles from the vehicle’s original in-service date—or even longer, depending on the state where it was registered. The same is true for warranty coverage against rust and for seat belts and airbags.
Many CPO warranties also include extra perks such as free roadside assistance, discounted telematics/connectivity services, a free oil change, or even rental car reimbursement for when your car is in the shop. Some of these benefits change over the years. In addition, individual dealerships can add extras of their own.
Acura
Acura has two kinds of CPO programs:
• Precision Certified is for vehicles no more than 5 years old and with under 80,000 miles. These cars get a seven-year or 100,000-mile powertrain warranty that starts from the original in-service date. They also get a non-powertrain warranty that lasts until the odometer hits 100,000 miles or for two years after the original warranty expires (or if the warranty is already expired, two years after the date of sale), whichever comes first.
• Precision Used cars can be up to 10 years old and have no mileage limit. After the manufacturer’s warranty has expired, they get a six-month, 7,500-mile general and powertrain warranty. If the manufacturer’s warranty has already expired, the additional six months/7,500 miles starts at the date of sale.
Alfa Romeo
CPO Alfa Romeos have limited and powertrain warranty coverage for five years or 100,000 miles from their original in-service date, whichever comes first. In practice, this adds a year or 50,000 miles of warranty coverage because Alfa’s new car warranty lasts four years or 50,000 miles.
Audi
Audi’s CPO warranty lasts for one year or 20,000 miles after the four-year/50,000-mile new car warranty ends.
BMW
BMW’s CPO warranty adds coverage for one year with unlimited miles after the four-year/50,000-mile new car warranty expires.
Buick
CPO Buicks are covered by a 12-month/12,000-mile limited warranty that starts from the day you purchase the vehicle. They’re also covered by a six-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty that started on the original in-service date.
Cadillac
After its original four-year/50,000-mile warranty expires, a CPO Cadillac gets an additional year of limited warranty coverage with unlimited mileage.
Chevrolet
Chevy’s CPO program covers vehicles with a 12-month/12,000-mile limited warranty that starts from the day you purchase the vehicle. They’re also covered by a six-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty that started on the original in-service date.
Chrysler
Like Dodge and Ram, CPO Chryslers get a seven-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty from the original in-service date. Because every new Chrysler comes with a five-year/60,000-mile warranty, it’s effectively a two-year/40,000-mile warranty extension. They also get a three-month/3,000-mile limited warranty with a $100 deductible.
Dodge
Like Chrysler, Ram, and other Stellantis-owned brands, CPO Dodges get a seven-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty from the original in-service date. Because every new Dodge comes with a five-year/60,000-mile warranty, it’s effectively a two-year/40,000-mile warranty extension. They also get a three-month/3,000-mile limited warranty with a $100 deductible.
Fiat
As with many other Stellantis brands, such as Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Ram, Fiat’s CPO program includes a seven-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty from the original in-service date. Because every new Fiat comes with a five-year/60,000-mile warranty, it’s effectively a two-year/40,000-mile warranty extension. They also get a three-month/3,000-mile limited warranty with a $100 deductible.
Ford
Ford’s Blue Advantage CPO program includes three levels of coverage:
• Gold Certified is for vehicles no more than 6 years old with no more than 80,000 miles. It adds a one-year/12,000-mile limited warranty from the date of purchase and a seven-year/100,000-mile warranty from the original service date. Because new Ford vehicles come with a transferable five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty, it’s essentially a two-year/40,000-mile warranty extension.
• EV Certified is for electric vehicles only. It adds a one-year/12,000-mile limited warranty from the date of purchase and an eight-year/100,000-mile BaseCARE EV warranty on drive motors, specific steering, suspension, brake components, air conditioning, and vehicle electrical systems. BaseCARE EV starts from the original service date.
• Blue Certified vehicles can be up to 10 years old and have up to 150,000 miles. The Blue Certified program adds a 90-day/4,000-mile limited warranty.
Genesis
CPO Genesis vehicles must be 5 years old or newer and have no more than 60,000 miles. Genesis transfers the remainder of the vehicle’s 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty and adds a six-year/75,000-mile limited warranty from the vehicle’s original in-service date. In effect, it’s an additional year and up to 15,000 miles of coverage beyond the original new car limited warranty.
GMC
As part of the GM Certified program, GMC’s CPO coverage adds a 12-month/12,000-mile limited warranty that starts from the day you purchase a truck or SUV. Vehicles are also covered by a six-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty that started on the original in-service date.
Honda
The HondaTrue Certified program is for Honda vehicles with no more than 80,000 miles that are 5 years old or newer. These cars get a seven-year or 100,000-mile powertrain warranty that starts from the original in-service date. They also get a non-powertrain warranty that lasts until the odometer hits 100,000 miles or for two years after the original warranty expires (or if the warranty is already expired, two years after the date of sale), whichever comes first. Honda also has another program called HondaTrue Used. These cars can be up to 10 years old and have no mileage limit. They get only 100 days or 5,000 miles of limited and powertrain warranty coverage.
Hyundai
Cars in the Hyundai Certified program must be no more than 6 model years old and have no more than 80,000 miles on the odometer. The remainder of the vehicle’s five-year/60,000-mile limited new car warranty and 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty transfer to the new owner. Hyundai Select Used cars are older and have more miles, and get only a 90-day/5,000-mile powertrain warranty.
Buyers should be aware that if they purchase a used Hyundai that isn’t certified, the 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty isn’t fully transferable and drops to five years and 60,000 miles of coverage.
Infiniti
Infiniti offers two levels of CPO coverage:
• Infiniti Certified Pre-Owned vehicles must be no more than 5 model years old and have no more than 60,000 miles. Limited warranty coverage is up to six years and 75,000 miles from the original in-service date. Some vehicles have unlimited mileage coverage.
• Infiniti Certified Pre-Owned Select vehicles can be up to 10 years old and have up to 100,000 miles. They get a one-year/12,000-mile powertrain warranty.
In addition, Infiniti dealers sometimes sell CPO vehicles from other brands, adding a six-month/6,000-mile powertrain warranty.
Jaguar
CPO Jaguars are covered by either a one-year, unlimited mileage warranty or a two-year/100,000-mile warranty.
Jeep
Like Chrysler, Dodge, and Ram, CPO Jeeps get a seven-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty from the original in-service date. Because every new Jeep comes with a five-year/60,000-mile warranty, it’s effectively a two-year/40,000-mile warranty extension. They also get a three-month/3,000-mile limited warranty with a $100 deductible.
Kia
CPO Kia vehicles get the remainder of the 10-year/100,000-mile new vehicle powertrain warranty that started on its in-service date, and a one-year/12,000-mile limited warranty that starts when the vehicle is sold to its new owner.
Like with Hyundai, Kia’s 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty isn’t transferable on non-CPO used Kias. For the next owner, it drops to five years and 60,000 miles of coverage.
Land Rover
CPO Land Rovers are covered by either a one-year, unlimited mileage warranty or a two-year/100,000-mile warranty.
Lexus
The Lexus L/Certified program offers a two-year limited warranty for unlimited mileage after the expiration of the vehicle’s existing four-year/50,000-mile new vehicle warranty, or for two years after your purchase, whichever occurs later.
Lincoln
CPO Lincoln vehicles get a six-year/100,000-mile warranty from the original in-service date. This is essentially a two-year/50,000-mile extension beyond the new vehicle warranty.
Maserati
Unlike other cars from Stellantis-owned brands, CPO Maserati Approved vehicles get a six-year limited warranty that includes unlimited mileage from the original in-service date.
Mazda
CPO Mazda vehicles get a seven-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty from the original in-service date, plus a one-year/12,000-mile limited warranty that starts the day you purchase the vehicle.
Mercedes-Benz
CPO Mercedes-Benz vehicles must be newer than 6 years old and have under 75,000 miles. Buyers get the remainder of the four-year/50,000-mile limited new vehicle warranty. When that runs out, a one-year warranty with unlimited mileage goes into effect.
Mini
CPO Minis must be no more than 5 years old and have under 60,000 miles. CPO limited warranty coverage is for one year and unlimited mileage after the four-year/50,000-mile new car warranty runs out.
Mitsubishi
CPO Mitsubishi vehicles must be no more than 5 years old and have under 60,000 miles. The remainder of the five-year/60,000-mile limited warranty transfers to the new owner. The remainder of the 10-year/100,000-mile new vehicle powertrain warranty also transfers to the new owner, which is not the case for non-certified Mitsubishis.
Nissan
Nissan has several programs available:
• Nissan Certified CPO vehicles can be up to 6 years old and have up to 80,000 miles. They get a seven-year/100,000-mile warranty on the engine, transmission, and drivetrain from the original in-service date, with a $100-per-visit deductible paid by the owner.
• Nissan EV Certified CPO vehicles get the same coverage, except it includes EV-specific components.
• Certified Select vehicles are older or higher-mileage Nissans or vehicles from other brands. They get a six-month/6,000-mile powertrain warranty.
Polestar
Once the remainder of the new vehicle warranty expires, CPO Polestar vehicles get a two-year limited warranty with unlimited mileage.
Porsche
Porsche Approved Certified vehicles have a two-year, unlimited-mileage limited warranty that starts the day you purchase the vehicle or the day the four-year/50,000-mile new vehicle warranty runs out, whichever comes later.
Ram
Like Chrysler, Dodge, and Jeep, CPO Ram trucks get a seven-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty from the original in-service date. Because every new Ram comes with a five-year/60,000-mile warranty, it’s effectively a two-year/40,000-mile warranty extension. They also get a three-month/3,000-mile limited warranty with a $100 deductible.
Rivian
Pre-owned Rivians get the balance of the remaining new vehicle warranty, which varies depending on the vehicle configuration but usually includes four years/50,000 miles of limited coverage and eight years of powertrain coverage.
Subaru
CPO Subaru vehicles get a seven-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty from the original in-service date, and the balance of any remaining limited warranty.
Tesla
Used vehicles sold by Tesla get a one-year/10,000-mile limited warranty that starts the day you purchase the vehicle or the day the original four-year/50,000-mile new vehicle warranty runs out, whichever comes later.
Toyota
Toyota Certified vehicles come in two flavors:
• Gold Certified vehicles are up to 6 years old with up to 85,000 miles. They get a one-year/12,000-mile limited warranty from the date of purchase, and a seven-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty from the original in-service date. This adds two years and 40,000 miles of coverage beyond the new vehicle powertrain warranty.
• Silver Certified vehicles can be up to 10 years old and have between 60,000 and 125,000 miles. They get a powertrain warranty of one year and 12,000 miles from the date of purchase.
Volkswagen
Volkswagen vehicles from the 2019 model year get a one-year/12,000-mile limited warranty; 2020 and newer gas-powered Volkswagen vehicles get a two-year/24,000-mile limited warranty. EVs get a three-year/36,000-mile comprehensive warranty. All repairs come with a $50 deductible per dealer visit.
Volvo
Vehicles in the Certified by Volvo program get a one-year, unlimited mileage limited warranty that starts the day you purchase the vehicle or the day the four-year/50,000-mile new vehicle warranty runs out, whichever comes later.
Consumer Reports is an independent, nonprofit organization that works side by side with consumers to create a fairer, safer, and healthier world. CR does not endorse products or services, and does not accept advertising. Copyright © 2025, Consumer Reports, Inc.