Autotrader: Why a certified used car might be a good choice right now

A year earlier, Ford beat Honda and Acura to the punch, broadening its CPO program. It not only includes up to 10-year-old Ford models but also qualifying models of any make.

This extra factory-backed protection can help ease the minds of consumers looking for more affordable older vehicle options. Skyrocketing prices of new vehicles pushed buyers to consider more affordable used cars, including models five years or older.

Read on to find out what protection you can expect and the types of warranty coverage that go along with these programs before buying a certified pre-owned vehicle.

What are certified pre-owned cars?

Certified pre-owned cars are the best-of-the-best used models on a franchised dealer’s used car lot. Each vehicle must pass an intensive inspection by a factory-trained technician. Those specialists use factory parts to replace or repair any defective components.

Automakers stand behind these vehicles with additional limited warranty protection beyond any of the original new car warranty that might remain. The brand usually sweetens the deal with other CPO benefits like special financing, 24/7 roadside assistance, a free vehicle history report, and some free scheduled maintenance.

These are all benefits and protections not provided on regular used cars. Potential buyers should compare CPO programs because automakers’ inspections and benefits vary.

HondaTrue Used program

Buying a used car is always a roll of the dice. There are few guarantees. Even if the seller acts with honest intentions, there is no way to anticipate hidden problems. CPO, in essence, provides some warranty protection against many of those unforeseen repairs.

For the most part, a manufacturer reserves its CPO program for lightly used, later-model branded vehicles with a limited number of miles on the odometer. Up to its launch of HondaTrue Used, Honda’s two-tiered CPO program (HondaTrue Certified) extended to Honda models no more than five years old with less than 80,000 miles on the odometer. HondaTrue Used pushes the age to no more than 10 years and the mileage qualifier to unlimited mileage. So, any 10-year-old Honda model could qualify for this tier.

Models covered under HondaTrue Used don’t have the same warranty protection as HondaTrue Certified because its qualification rules are less strict. Still, every HondaTrue Used model must pass an extensive inspection by a factory-certified technician. Moreover, it must also have a clean vehicle history report free of accidents. Shoppers may download a copy of the completed 112-point checklist and see its history report before purchase.

Every vehicle Honda accepted into HondaTrue Used receives a factory-backed powertrain and non-powertrain warranty good for 100 days or 5,000 miles (whichever comes first). The warranties don’t cover every component but do include major systems. The Honda Certified Pre-Owned Warranty Booklet outlines what is covered.

Added-value benefits

Although not as extensive as the perks for HondaTrue Certified models, HondaTrue Used offers some added-value benefits to sweeten the deal. They include 24/7 roadside assistance during the HondaTrue Used powertrain warranty. One complimentary oil change during the first year of ownership is another benefit. For the duration of the powertrain warranty, buyers also get limited trip-interruption reimbursement, concierge service, and free satellite-radio service for 90 days. Buyers have up to three days or 300 miles to trade in any Honda CPO vehicle for another CPO vehicle.

Also on MarketWatch: Is Netflix cracking down on password sharing? Here’s what you need to know if you share an account

Acura Precision Used

Acura Precision Used is similar to Honda’s new program. However, it reflects Acura’s upgraded Precision Certified program. There are significant differences:

• The length of the non-powertrain and powertrain warranty coverage increases to six months or 7,500 miles.

• 24/7 roadside assistance is for one year or 12,000 miles.

• Buyers have up to seven days or 300 miles to exchange an Acura CPO model for another CPO vehicle.

Ford Blue Advantage

In 2021, Ford put a different twist on its CPO program when it initiated its Ford Blue Advantage (FBA) to complement its existing program. Ford now calls the original program Ford Gold Advantage. FBA is for Ford models that didn’t make the cut for Gold Advantage. The new program expands eligibility to Ford vehicles up to 10 years old. However, it puts a mileage cap of 120,000 miles on cars to qualify.

Ford is doing something differently than Honda and Acura. FBA is open to models from any brand on its dealers’ used lots that qualify. The vehicle must meet the FBA age and mileage requirements and pass the 139-point inspection by a certified technician. Whether Ford or another brand’s models, qualifying vehicles receive a Ford-backed 90-day or 4,000-mile limited warranty. Ford requires a $100 deductible for each warranty repair.

FBA includes 24/7 roadside assistance for up to seven years or 100,000 miles from the original purchase date when new. It also provides a 14-day or 1,000-mile money-back guarantee. Moreover, FBA buyers receive entry into FordPass Rewards with 11,000 complimentary points. These are redeemable toward non-covered warranty repairs, routine maintenance, and the purchase of Ford products.

Read: This is when you can hope for new car prices to start going down

Porsche-approved

There is nothing new in the Porsche Approved CPO program. However, the current program is worth mentioning because it includes Porsche models up to 13 years old. That’s right. The CPO warranty for Porsche models still covered by the original new-car warranty kicks in when the original 4-years or 50,000-mile warranty expires. The program gives a 2-year, unlimited mileage warranty beginning on the sale date for Porsche CPO models with expired new-car warranties. The CPO warranty covers the powertrain, suspension, steering, brake system, electrical system, and more.

Perks include 24/7 roadside assistance and no deductible for covered repairs.

See: The good and bad news about car prices

Who else?

Although the list of CPO programs offering a degree of factory protection for older model-year vehicles is short, we expect more carmakers to follow suit.

This story originally ran on Autotrader.com.