What Is a CPO Warranty?

Jason Fogelson 11/30/2023 1:55pm

A CPO Warranty is a term for assurances attached to a certified pre-owned (CPO) vehicle sold by a franchise dealership for an auto manufacturer.

CPO warranties vary from make to make. Each manufacturer applies standards to their used vehicles, verified by a rigorous inspection and reconditioning program. Vehicles that meet the standards are deemed “certified” and carry a factory-backed limited warranty. Most cover the basics and include powertrain coverage.

Vehicles with a CPO warranty typically retail for higher prices than similar vehicles without CPO warranties.

Some examples of CPO warranty programs include GMC Certified, Honda Certified Pre-Owned Program, and Lexus’ L/Certified.

Jason Fogelson

Jason Fogelson is the Managing Editor of Publication Operations for Cox Automotive Inc. He works with the editorial team to ensure everything you read on Kelley Blue Book is factual, grammatically correct, well-written, and relevant. Jason contributed to KBB for years before joining the staff in 2022 as part of a long career as a freelance automotive journalist and editor for magazines and websites. His first book, “100 Things for Every Gearhead to Do Before They Die,” was published by Reedy Press in 2016. Jason was President of the Motor Press Guild (MPG) for two terms and is a member of the Automotive Press Association (APA), the Midwest Automotive Media Association (MAMA), and the International Motor Press Association (IMPA). He lives near Ann Arbor, Michigan, with his wife, dog, two cats, motorcycle, and van. He’s always on the hunt for an inexpensive roadster to fill an empty slot in his garage.
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