Yahoo Autos 5 Unexpected Extras You Can Get with a CPO Vehicle
Some benefits of buying a Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) vehicle are obvious. By definition, these manufacturer-backed used cars and trucks are expected to be in better shape than other, non-CPO used counterparts. They’re also significantly less expensive than new vehicles, have fewer miles on their odometers than the average used car, and will have gone through a multipoint inspection. These are some of the reasons we’ve cited that make them potentially enticing to buyers. But there are some lesser-known perks, too. If you’re on the hunt for a CPO car or truck, here are some potentially free add-ons to look out for.
A Lending Hand
Just because many cars come with a jack and a spare doesn’t mean everyone wants to-or even can-change a flat tire. Fortunately for the less mechanically inclined, many CPO vehicles come with 24-hour roadside assistance. Automakers such as FCA (which includes Chrysler, Dodge, Fiat, Jeep, and Ram) offer towing, a battery jump-start, or a locksmith when you need it, and they will even deliver a few gallons of gas if you run dry. There is typically a limit to how much cost the automakers will cover, though. In the case of FCA’s roadside-assistance program, the coverage is up to $100 per incident. Luxury automakers including Mercedes-Benz and Lexus offer similar services. General Motors tosses in two free maintenance visits in its CPO Scheduled Maintenance Program.
For any extra services offered, it’s important to ask whether they are included for free, as part of the CPO warranty, or for an additional charge. For example, Hyundai includes it in its 10-year warranty; FCA, Ford, and Toyota include it with the sale; and Honda offers it as an extra-cost add-on.
Trip, Interrupted
Although CPO vehicles are supposed to be in tip-top shape, several automakers’ CPO programs offer “trip interruption” coverage. This boils down to financial assistance for owners of CPO vehicles in the event their car or truck needs a repair while it’s on a road trip. Hyundai will reimburse up to $100 per day and $500 per occurrence for any breakdown that happens 150 miles or more from your home. FCA has a car-rental allowance of up to $35 per day or $175 per occurrence. “Occurrence,” by the way, is a word typically used by automakers in their CPO documents instead of “breakdown.”
Free Service Trials
Several CPO vehicles come with free trials of special services. Automakers such as Honda, FCA, Ford, and Hyundai include three months of SiriusXM satellite radio. General Motors’ CPO program includes a SiriusXM trial as well as three free months of its OnStar Guidance Plan, which includes turn-by-turn directions.
Lower-Rate Financing
Automakers are currently offering enticing rates to buyers of new vehicles, especially sedans, and some of the attractive financing offers are spilling over to CPO sales as well. Throughout May and June, Ford is offering 2.9 percent APR financing for 66 months on all of its CPO vehicles. Mercedes-Benz has a similar deal on select models. Toyota says “standard new-car financing rates” are available, and Honda offers special financing rates on CPO vehicles through its in-house Honda Financial Services unit.
Don’t Like It? Swap It Out
Some brands’ CPO programs come with a built-in agreement that says if you don’t like your recently purchased vehicle, you can bring it back and swap it out for something else on the lot. General Motors’ Vehicle Exchange Program gives buyers three days or 150 miles (whichever comes first) to return a car or truck to the dealership and exchange it or another Chevrolet, Buick, or GMC vehicle.
With this perk, as with any of the above, you’ll want to check with the salesperson-and read the fine print-before closing the deal and leaving the dealership to be sure you understand the terms.
This article is syndicated from Car and Driver.
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