If you are in the market for a used Fiat vehicle, you may want to consider cars under their certified pre-owned program. Many manufacturers have a certified pre-owned (CPO) program, and each one is set up differently. Fiat, for example, calls their program the “Certified Pre-Driven” program. Read on to learn about the specifics of the Fiat CPO program.
Fiat Certified Pre-Driven cars are always under five years old, have less than 75,000 miles, and come complete with a factory-backed seven-year/100,000-mile Powertrain Limited Warranty.
Inspection
In order to ensure that all Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles are safe for the roads, Fiat subjects all CPO vehicles in a 125-point inspection that includes the following procedures and areas:
- Under-hood checks
- Operational checks
- Road Test
- Steering Performance
- Equipment Operation
- Powertrain performance
- Braking performance
- Scheduled maintenance
- Exterior and interior condition and detailing
Warranty
Fiat CPO vehicles come with a limited warranty, which covers repairs or replacements of major powertrain components (which includes the engine, transmission, and driveline) for six years or 80,000 miles, whichever comes first. The warranty also includes certain benefits including:
A complete CARFAX vehicle history report including the service record.
A 24-hour roadside assistance program that offers emergency services and security services including: flat tire service, gas delivery up to two gallons, battery jump assistance, lockout service, and towing service.
Reimbursement for rental services in the event that your vehicle requires warranty repairs, up to $35 per day (with a maximum total of $175 per instance).
A three-month trial subscription to Sirius XM All Access satellite radio.
Pricing
Purchasing a Certified Pre-Owned Fiat vehicle instead of a used vehicle can make a difference in the price at most dealerships. The bottom line will usually be around 8% higher than a regular “used” vehicle.
For example, at the time of writing this article in April 2016, a used 2012 Fiat 500 Hatchback has a Kelley Blue Book value of $8,193; the same vehicle in the Fiat CPO program is priced around $8,868.
Compare Fiat to Other Certified Pre-Owned Car Programs
Whether you decide to go with a CPO car, it's always wise to have an independent certified mechanic inspect any used car before buying it. Certified Pre-Owned does not mean the car is in perfect condition, and any used car can come with serious issues that aren't apparent to an untrained eye. If you're in the market to buy a used car, schedule a pre-purchase inspection for total peace of mind.
