Drivers in the market for a used Volkswagen vehicle may want to check out cars under their certified pre-owned program. Many manufacturers have a certified pre-owned (CPO) program, and each one is set up differently. Read on to learn about the specifics of the Volkswagen CPO program.
In order to qualify as a Certified Pre-Owned car, Volkswagen vehicles must be under seven years old, have fewer than 75,000 miles, and have a clean Vehicle History Report.
Inspection
In order to ensure that all Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles are safe to drive, Volkswagen subjects all CPO vehicles to a 112-point inspection that includes the following vehicle areas or procedures:
- Mechanical components
- Interior and Exterior condition and detailing
- Under body inspection
- Road Test
- Transmission
- Brakes
- Engine
- Steering
- Scheduled maintenance
Warranty
Volkswagen CPO vehicles come with a warranty that covers the vehicle bumper-to-bumper for 24 months or 24,000 miles, whichever occurs first. The warranty includes the following components:
- Engine
- Steering
- Transmission
- Axles
- Electrical components
- Braking
- HVAC System
- Torque converter
- Differential
This warranty also includes these additional benefits:
Two years of 24/7 Roadside Assistance that includes up to $50 of emergency towing to the nearest Volkswagen dealer, flat tire changes, jump starting, unlock services, and emergency fuel delivery.
Rental car reimbursement up to $35 per day for a total of 10 days.
Access to a full CARFAX Vehicle History Report, including the service history.
A three-month free trial subscription to SiriusXM Satellite Radio’s All Access pass.
Pricing
Purchasing a Certified Pre-Owned Volkswagen vehicle instead of a used vehicle can make a difference in the price at most dealerships. The bottom line will usually be around 7.5% higher than a regular “used” vehicle.
For example, at the time of this article in April 2016, a used 2012 Volkswagen Beetle has a Kelley Blue Book value of $10,335; the same vehicle in the Volkswagen CPO program is priced around $11,108.
Compare Volkswagen 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.
