Before You Buy: Certified Pre-Owned Programs from Kia to Mercury

Kia vehicles up to five model years old with fewer than 60,000 miles are eligible for the certified pre-owned program.

It includes:

• an extended 10-year/100,000-mile limited powertrain warranty;
• 150-point vehicle inspection;
• 10-year/unlimited mileage roadside assistance;
• vehicle history report; towing/rental car/travel coverage; and
• an available Kia Certified Wrap Service Contract, offering the consumer additional levels of coverage beyond powertrain coverage.

It’s the newest certified pre-owned program. It was rolled out in the first quarter of 2008 – and may not be available at all dealerships.

A candidate for certification cannot be more than five model years old (including current model year plus four model years) and it must have accrued fewer than 60,000 miles.

Certified pre-owned Land Rovers have:

• undergone a complete 140-point inspection;
• are backed by comprehensive 6-year/75,000-mile limited-warranty coverage that kicks in from the vehicle’s first mile on the odometer when it’s new; and
• during the 4-year/50,000-mile New-Vehicle Limited Warranty period, owners of 2006 model year vehicles are entitled to the first six complimentary scheduled maintenance services at 7,500 mile intervals.

Each potential certified pre-owned Lexus must be 6 model years or younger with less than 70,000 miles.

• Each undergoes a 161-point checklist to determine if the vehicle meets Lexus Certified Pre-Owned qualifications, or if repairs or replacement parts are needed.
• The warranty is valid for three years or 100,000 total vehicle miles from the date of purchase, whichever comes first.
• No deductible. Repairs made under this warranty will be at no cost.

I like the Lexus website’s extensive glossary of terms.

Trip interruption is a relatively miserly $50 per day rental. Hard to rent a Lexus equivalent at that price.

Each Lincoln certified pre-owned vehicle is up to six years old or has up to 80,000 miles and has passed a 169-point inspection.

• Lincoln certified pre-owneds come with comprehensive six-year/100,000 mile limited warranty coverage.
• Each vehicle has a standard deductible of $100. Strikes me as a little high.

OK, I thought Lexus’ $50 a day rental coverage was chintzy. Lincoln’s is worse. It’s only $35 a day if you break down more than 100 miles from home. As with a Lexus, it's tough to find a Lincoln equivalent for $35 a day.

Each Mercedes Benz certified pre-owned has less than 75,000 miles and is less than 6 model years old.

Any remaining portion of the 4-year/50,000 mile new vehicle warranty is extended to the certified pre-owned vehicle. After that, the limited warranty provides coverage for another 12 months or up to 100,000 miles.

It’s not a great warranty. At its absolute best, you’ll get 25,000 miles or a year’s coverage on 6-year old Benz.

One feature I like is Mercedes says it discloses if restorative body repairs have been performed of a cumulative value in excess of 10% of the vehicle’s current market value.

This designation is for Mazdas that are less than five years old, have been driven fewer than 62,000 miles and have passed a 100-point vehicle inspection designed to test every aspect of a vehicle.

• At the conclusion of the new vehicle powertrain warranty, the Mazda Certified Powertrain Warranty begins.
• This warranty will cover all the components listed for a total of 8 years or 100,000 miles, whichever comes first from the original in-service date.
• Mazda has different warranties for vehicles in the 2003-2006 model years vs. 2007 models. Check the website or ask your dealer for complete details.

Any Mercury vehicle from the current or five previous model years is eligible for certification under the Mercury Certified Pre-owned program as long as it has less than 80,000 miles on the odometer.

• Must pass a rigorous 169 point-by-point exam
• The 6-year/100,000-mile warranty provides coverage for the engine, transmission and more.
• The warranty covers more than 500 components, including many high-tech parts, as well as the failure of covered components due to abnormal wear resulting from defective materials or workmanship.
• There is also a three-month, 3,000 comprehensive warranty from the time of sale.