The best CPO warranties of 2024

Top picks

• Hyundai provides the best CPO warranty, offering the remainder of factory warranty coverage and a 10-year/unlimited mileage powertrain warranty.

• Mitsubishi is our No. 2 choice, providing the remainder of factory warranty coverage and 10 years/100,000 miles of powertrain coverage.

• Genesis is the best luxury CPO warranty with 6 years/75,000 miles of non-powertrain coverage and the remainder of a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty.

A certified pre-owned (CPO) warranty is a type of auto warranty that manufacturers provide for used vehicles that meet a brand’s specific criteria, including age, condition and mileage limits.

But there’s no one-size-fits-all coverage. According to our research, the best CPO warranties are the Hyundai Certified Used Vehicles program for standard vehicles and Genesis Certified for luxury vehicles.

What are the 6 best CPO warranties?

The best standard car brands for CPO warranties are Hyundai, Mitsubishi and Honda. Genesis, Lexus and Acura are the best CPO warranties for luxury vehicles.

We ranked these companies based on the total protection, length and mileage of their CPO warranties. We also considered what additional perks they included in their CPO programs.

Many carmakers extend bumper-to-bumper warranty coverage for certified pre-owned vehicles (CPOV), a comprehensive warranty that covers most parts and repairs other than those explicitly excluded. With CPO vehicles, a bumper-to-bumper warranty is typically called a CPO limited warranty. CPO limited warranties may exclude more components and services than those included in factory warranties.

Most CPO warranties also cover the powertrain, which includes your car’s engine, transmission and drivetrain systems. Some CPO warranties, such as Mitsubishi’s CPO program, may even protect against corrosion, rust and perforation.

The table below summarizes our picks for the best CPO warranties in 2024.

Brand	Brand Type	Non-powertrain Coverage	Powertrain Coverage
Hyundai	Standard	Remainder of 5-year/60,000-mile new vehicle limited warranty	10 years/unlimited miles
Mitsubishi	Standard	Remainder of 5-year/60,000-mile new vehicle limited warranty	10 years/100,000 miles
Genesis	Luxury	6 years/75,000 miles	Remainder of 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain limited warranty
Lexus	Luxury	6 years/unlimited miles	N/A
Honda*	Standard	4 years/48,000 miles	7 years/100,000 miles
Acura	Luxury	2 years/100,000 miles	7 years/100,000 miles

Our rankings only look at warranties for vehicles powered by internal combustion engines. Carmakers sometimes offer different types of CPO warranties or coverage for electric or hybrid vehicles.

What are the best CPO warranties for standard vehicles?

Our top three choices for best CPO warranties for nonluxury cars include Hyundai, Mitsubishi and Honda. We found that these three automotive manufacturers offered the longest coverage terms for both age and mileage.

The Hyundai Certified Used Vehicles program requires vehicles to pass a 173-point mechanical, safety and cosmetic inspection to meet the brand’s certification standards. Certified vehicles must also be less than 7 years old and have less than 80,000 miles to qualify for a CPO warranty.

According to our research, Hyundai provides the best CPO warranty because of its lengthy coverage terms. This includes the remaining balance of a vehicle’s factory warranty — up to five years and 60,000 miles. The company also provides a powertrain limited warranty of up to 10 years and 100,000 miles based on the vehicle’s original in-service date.

This coverage is among the best in the industry, but that’s not surprising. Hyundai consistently ranks among the best new car warranties due to its generous terms.

In addition to warranty coverage, Hyundai’s CPOV program extends its 24-hour roadside assistance coverage from five years to 10 years. The company also offers rental car reimbursement and travel interruption reimbursement as a result of a covered mechanical breakdown.

What we dislike is the inability to transfer a Hyundai Certified Used Vehicles warranty to another seller. If you decide to sell your used car before its CPO warranty expires, the new buyer won’t have the same coverage.

We also don’t like that covered repairs made under the Hyundai CPO warranty require a $50 deductible. Our other two top picks for standard cars — Mitsubishi and Honda — don’t. Fortunately, Hyundai ranks No. 4 in Repair Pal’s reliability ratings, so you may not have to pay a deductible too frequently.

Mitsubishi is our second pick for the best CPO warranty, only losing to Hyundai on two points. First, the Mitsubishi inspection isn’t as rigorous as Hyundai’s, with only 123 points inspected compared to Hyundai’s 173.

We don’t like that the Mitsubishi roadside assistance benefit is only available for the duration of the vehicle’s original factory warranty — which expires at five years or 60,000 miles.

The automaker also secures its spot as a top contender because it continues protection against perforation from rust during normal use by honoring the remainder of the manufacturer’s 7-year/100,000-mile anti-corrosion/perforation limited warranty — something that Hyundai and Honda don’t cover under their CPO programs.

Another standout feature is the lack of a deductible for covered repairs at any Mitsubishi dealership. This is a contrast to Hyundai’s $50 deductible, especially when considering Mitsubishi’s similar RepairPal reliability ranking when compared to Hyundai.

Owners of a certified Mitsubishi may transfer the CPO warranty to a new buyer as long as the new buyer pays a $40 fee at a Mitsubishi dealership within six months of the purchase date.

HondaTrue Certified ranks third in our list of best CPO warranties for standard cars and fifth overall. Honda’s CPO warranty program falls short of our top two picks — and is comparable to those that didn’t make our list, such as Kia — but makes up for it with a 182-point inspection and additional perks.

A 4-year/48,000-mile warranty protects a Honda CPOV from the date and mileage of the vehicle’s original sale. This is an extension of its 3-year/36,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty.

If you purchase a CPOV after its new vehicle limited warranty expiration date, Honda provides 1-year/12,000-mile limited non-powertrain coverage. This coverage doesn’t apply if the extended new vehicle limited warranty expires after you purchase the vehicle. Still, one year and 12,000 miles of coverage is in line with what other CPO programs offer, such as Kia’s and Toyota’s.

All Honda CPO vehicles include seven years and 100,000 miles of powertrain coverage from the original in-service date. Repairs covered by a Honda CPO warranty don’t require a deductible, though the auto manufacturer is currently ranked No. 1 in reliability by RepairPal.

Buyers may transfer a Honda CPO warranty to another private party by contacting Honda Care Contract Services. The new buyer will inherit the remaining balance of both the non-powertrain and powertrain coverage periods.

What are the best CPO warranties for luxury vehicles?

According to our research, the best CPO programs for luxury vehicles are Genesis, Lexus and Acura. These three popular car manufacturers offer the most extensive coverage for certified pre-owned cars and SUVs.

Genesis Certified is our top pick for the best luxury CPO warranty and third in our overall ranking. A Genesis CPO car must be less than 5 model years old and have an odometer reading of less than 60,000 miles. These vehicles must also pass a 191-point inspection — the most rigorous inspection of the six car programs covered in this article.

Genesis extends its new vehicle limited warranty to six years and 75,000 miles for its certified vehicles — an increase of one year and 15,000 miles. The manufacturer also maintains its 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty for CPO vehicles — a contrast to the 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty provided to buyers of used, noncertified Genesis cars.

Deductibles for covered repairs vary depending on the component and warranty. You aren’t responsible for paying a deductible for any repairs covered by the limited warranty. For repairs covered by the powertrain warranty, a $50 deductible applies.

We like that Genesis extends its roadside assistance perk from five years (for new vehicles) to a total of 10 years and unlimited miles for CPO cars. We also like the rental car and travel breakdown reimbursement perks, both of which pay for expenses incurred as the result of covered events.

Owners of Genesis CPO cars may transfer the remainder of the vehicle’s warranty to a private party by contacting the Genesis customer connect center. However, trading in or selling a Genesis CPO vehicle to a dealer ends warranty coverage.

For added peace of mind, you may purchase additional coverage, including a vehicle service contract, guaranteed asset protection coverage or a prepaid maintenance plan.

Lexus L/Certified is our pick for the second-best luxury CPO program and fourth choice overall. L/Certified vehicles must be under 6 years old and have fewer than 70,000 miles on the odometer before passing a 161-point inspection.

But what solidifies the inclusion of Lexus in our ranking of best CPO warranty programs is the company’s extensive bumper-to-bumper warranty coverage for certified vehicles. This exclusionary coverage means Lexus covers everything except for certain excluded components, such as the following:

• Standard upkeep items
• Wear and tear
• Cosmetic parts
• Rust and corrosion
• Some other specific parts

We like this degree of comprehensive coverage for a CPO vehicle. However, we dislike that the L/Certified program doesn’t offer separate powertrain coverage after the CPO warranty expires. Because the extended factory warranty coverage period is relatively short — two years from the expiration of the original factory warranty or purchase date of the certified vehicle — you may be responsible for costly powertrain repairs further down the line.

Fortunately, RepairPal ranks Lexus No. 7 for reliability, which means the possibility of repairs shouldn’t be too frequent. And the complimentary maintenance for the first two years or 20,000 miles helps drive down your total cost of ownership.

Acura Certified ranks third in our ranking of best luxury CPO warranties and sixth overall. A vehicle must be under 6 model years old and have an odometer reading of less than 80,000 miles to qualify for the Acura Precision Certified program. It must also pass a 182-point inspection, the second-most rigorous inspection on our list (tying with Acura’s parent company, Honda).

Qualifying vehicles are covered by a 2-year/100,000-mile non-powertrain warranty. This coverage begins upon the expiration of the original new vehicle limited warranty — which covers four years or 50,000 miles, effectively extending coverage by another two years or 50,000 miles — or at the time of purchase (if the new vehicle limited warranty has expired).

Acura Precision Certified vehicles are also covered by a 7-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty. This extends coverage from the original six years and 70,000 miles to give you more peace of mind that parts such as the engine, transmission and drivetrain system are protected.

Acura offers two years or 100,000 miles of roadside assistance and trip interruption expense reimbursement as part of its CPO warranty. The automaker, which ranks No. 2 in RepairPal’s reliability rankings, also covers your first scheduled maintenance within 12 months or 12,000 miles from your date of purchase.

We like that Acura doesn’t charge a deductible for repairs covered under its certified pre-owned warranty. We also like that the remainder of the warranty coverage is transferable to a subsequent private party by contacting Acura Care Client Services.

What should you know about certified pre-owned warranties?

Certified pre-owned programs offer you the peace of mind that you’re purchasing a used car that’s in good shape and protected against manufacturer defects and issues.

Most CPO warranties also give you access to additional perks, including roadside assistance and complimentary maintenance services that lower your total cost of ownership and give you a little more security while on the road.

Let’s take a look at what you should know about CPO warranties in general and how to decide if a CPO vehicle is the right choice for you.

What’s the best CPO warranty for me?

According to our research, which looked at the overall warranty coverage provided by each vehicle manufacturer, Hyundai offers the best CPO warranty for standard cars, and Genesis provides the best CPO coverage for luxury vehicles.

But the best CPO warranty for you may depend on other factors, such as your budget, needs and preferences. Compare what each manufacturer covers and provides — including warranty coverage and other benefits — to find the most comprehensive CPO program.

When does a CPO warranty start and how long does it last?

CPO warranty coverage typically starts at different times:

• Bumper-to-bumper, non-powertrain and limited warranty coverage begins when the new vehicle warranty expires or at the time you buy the CPO vehicle if the new vehicle warranty has already expired.
• Powertrain coverage begins on the day the car is originally sold to its first owner.

Both types of coverage last until the vehicle reaches the total age and mileage defined by the CPO warranty.

In other words, a 2-year-old Honda with 32,000 miles is protected by the remainder of its 3-year/36,000-mile new vehicle warranty. Honda extends that coverage to four years or 48,000 miles when either of those limits is reached. After four years or 48,000 miles, the vehicle is only protected by the remainder of its 7-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty.

What is the difference between CPO and extended warranties?

A CPO warranty is offered and backed by an automaker for any of its vehicles that meet the brand’s specific criteria. These vehicles must be inspected, reconditioned and repaired by dealerships before they’re considered certified and listed for sale as CPO cars.

Extended warranties (or vehicle service contracts) are provided by manufacturers or third-party providers to cover certain parts and systems, including bumper-to-bumper protection. These products come into force when a car’s factory warranty expires.

Vehicles don’t require certification to get covered by an extended warranty. To qualify for coverage, they must meet a provider’s criteria — including age and mileage limits. And while you may be able to purchase an extended warranty at any time, you’ll also have to pay for coverage as part of your auto loan, in one lump sum or on a monthly basis.

In other words, CPO warranties are backed by manufacturers and provided by default when purchasing a certified vehicle. Extended warranties are optional and sold by manufacturers or third-party aftermarket providers as a separate expense.

Are CPO warranties worth it?

CPO warranties are worth it if you’re looking for a used car that’s been inspected, reconditioned and repaired by its manufacturer. Typically, the automaker also provides additional benefits, such as roadside assistance, travel interruption reimbursement and other perks.

But CPO vehicles tend to cost more than noncertified used cars of the same make, model and year. It’s up to you to determine if the extra cost is worth the peace of mind a CPO warranty provides.

Is dealer-certified the same as certified pre-owned?

Dealer-certified pre-owned vehicles are not the same as manufacturer-certified pre-owned vehicles. Manufacturer CPO programs have strict criteria that the brand’s dealerships must follow in order to qualify for the automaker’s CPO warranty and backing.

In contrast, dealer-certified programs may or may not be as rigorous or trustworthy as an automaker’s. These dealerships may have lower standards or provide less coverage than a CPO warranty.

When choosing between a CPO and a used car, pay attention to the warranty documentation to determine who backs the warranty. Genuine CPO warranties are backed by manufacturers, whereas dealer-certified warranties are not.

Final take: The best CPO warranties go the extra mile and time

Used vehicles are an affordable alternative to buying new, but they’re not always backed by factory warranties. Certified pre-owned vehicles often extend the remainder of factory warranty coverage — or offer additional powertrain coverage — while providing other perks to give you peace of mind.

The best CPO warranties are provided by Hyundai, Mitsubishi, Genesis, Lexus, Honda and Acura. These manufacturers offer the most extensive CPO warranties and benefits to protect your purchase and keep your vehicle in good condition.

Once your CPO warranty expires (or if you never had one), consider purchasing an extended auto warranty to maintain — or enhance — coverage of your vehicle’s components and systems.