Before You Buy: Certified Pre-Owned Programs from Mini to Saturn

Befitting a car that looks like no other, the Mini calls its certified pre-owned program Mini Next.

• Each Mini Next car must be less than five years old, have less than 60,000 miles, and pass an inspection process.
• Each Mini Next car comes with a comprehensive 2-year/50,000-mile protection plan from the expiration of the Mini New Passenger Car Limited Warranty.

Any vehicle less than 5 years old (from the original in-service date) with less than 60,000 miles is eligible.

• The certified pre-owned program at Mitsubishi is fee based, according to a company spokesperson.
• The fee varies by the year of the vehicle
• All vehicles get a 123-point inspection.
• Not all Mitsubishi dealers participate so it’s necessary to ask your dealer directly.

To qualify for certified pre-owned status, each Nissan must be less than 5 years old and have less than 60,000 miles on the odometer.

Two other requirements:

• a clean title (nonbranded title) and
• a 142-point quality assurance inspection.

Other highlights

• Coverage comes from an 84-month/100,000-mile limited warranty, whichever occurs earlier.
• Roadside Assistance/Towing Assistance/Trip Interruption up to 84 months from the original in-service date or 100,000 miles on the vehicle’s odometer, whichever comes first.
• There is a $50 deductible on covered repairs, including parts and labor.

To be considered a vehicle must be 2003 or newer, with less than 60,000 miles.

Other highlights:

• The vehicles get a 100,000-Mile/5-Year Powertrain Limited Warranty;
• 3-Month/3,000-Mile New Vehicle Limited Warranty Extension;
• 117-Point Inspection; and
• a Vehicle History Report.

GM also says its offers like-new vehicle financing for qualified buyers. Take that last tidbit with a grain of salt because manufacturer financing is a mercurial thing subject to change on the slightest whims.

Vehicles eligible may be current model year and be no older than 8 years old from the original in-service date with less than 100,000 accumulated miles.

This program excludes Carrera GT.

Porsche approved vehicles get a 100 point inspection.

Every Porsche approved vehicle comes with a comprehensive warranty:

• If sold while under the new car warranty, coverage is up to 6 years or 100,000 miles total, whichever comes first
• If sold once the new vehicle warranty has expired, coverage is 2 years from the date of sale or up to 100,000 miles, whichever comes first

To be certified pre-owned, a Saab must be 4 years or newer with less than 60,000-miles.

• Each Saab certified pre-owned vehicle goes through a 117-Plus Point inspection.
• The Saab certified pre-owned limited warranty period commences at the time of sale of a certified pre-owned Saab or upon expiration of the applicable Saab new vehicle limited warranty, whichever occurs later.
• This Saab certified pre-owned limited warranty expires 6 years or 100,000 miles from the original in-service date, whichever occurs first.

You’re not going to find a lot of information on the Saturn website about its certified pre-owned program, so pay close attention when the dealership sales rep explains your coverage.

• Each Saturn certified pre-owned candidate vehicle gets a 117-point inspection.
• All Saturn certified pre-owned are covered by the 5-year/100,000 mile limited power warranty.
• A nice touch is the 3-month/3,000 mile bumper-to-bumper manufacturer’s warranty extension.