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 2004 or newer, with less than 60,000 miles.

Other highlights:

• 5 year/100,000 Mile Powertrain Warranty
• 12-month/12,000 Mile Bumper-to-Bumper Warranty
• Roadside Assistance
• Courtesy Transportation
• 117 point inspection
• 3-Day/150 Mile Satisfaction Guarantee

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

Saab is in transition right now as GM prepares to sell it to Koenigsegg. The information below is subject to change at any point.

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

• Each Saab certified pre-owned 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 new vehicle limited warranty, whichever is later.
• This Saab certified pre-owned limited warranty expires 6 years or 100,000 miles from the original in-service date, whichever is first.

I have been informed by a GM Pr agency: "All the details for the Saturn CPO program are considered property of GM and they will no longer be applicable to any Saturn CPO vehicles purchased after Oct. 1, 2009." That means no vehicles sold as of Oct. 1 will be considered GM certified pre-owned used cars.

As soon as I know what the Penske Group is offering in terms of certified pre-owned programs for Saturn, I will fill you in.