As with all extended warranties, whether from an automaker or other provider, it is important to understand what the warranty covers and where the coverage pays for the work to be done. CPO cars generally cost more than regular used cars but are still far less expensive than buying new. The added expense can be considered an investment in future savings on repairs and time.
CR’s long-standing advice has been to save money by buying a traditional used car that has a high reliability score in our ratings—after a thorough inspection. But based on our analysis of reliability and owner satisfaction survey data collected on more than 300,000 vehicles in 2024, paying the premium for a certified pre-owned car could indeed be a wise choice for many shoppers. (The data in this extensive analysis covered cars from model years 2000-2023.)
Sometimes buying a CPO car can even be a better choice than buying new, depending on the models you are considering. For example, a new Ford Escape Hybrid has a rather high problem rate and a below-average predicted reliability score. But for the same money, or even less, you could buy a CPO 2021 BMW X3 with a higher reliability rating and a lower problem rate in general. Plus, it is much, much nicer. Do look closely at the reliability ratings for used cars, because many—like the X3—see reliability vary over time.
Below we explore how the analysis revealed differences in reliability and satisfaction among the three car-buying strategies: new, CPO, and used.
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