If you have been shopping for a used Mini vehicle, you 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 Mini CPO program.
In order to qualify as a Certified Pre-Owned car, Mini vehicles must be under five years old, have less than 60,000 miles, and have a clean Vehicle History Report.
Inspection
In order to ensure that all Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles are safe to drive, Mini subjects all CPO vehicles to a thorough inspection that includes the following vehicle areas or procedures:
- Vehicle History
- Wheel Assembly
- Body Condition
- Mechanical
- Road Test
Warranty
Mini CPO vehicles come with two different types of limited warranties. The most common is the standard coverage warranty, which covers your vehicle for two years or 50,000 miles, whichever occurs first. This warranty begins after the expiration of the original four-year/50,000-mile Mini New Passenger Car Limited Warranty, meaning you get a total of six years or 100,000 miles of coverage.
For Mini Next vehicles with between 300 and 36,000 miles, there is a one year/25,000-mile warranty after the four-year New Passenger Car Limited Warranty. This means that on vehicles with less than 36,000 miles, the warranty only extends to five total years or 75,000 total miles, whichever comes first.
Both warranties include 24/7 Roadside Assistance programs available during the total length of the warranty.
Pricing
Purchasing a Certified Pre-Owned Mini vehicle instead of a used vehicle can make a difference in the price at most dealerships. The bottom line will usually be around 12% higher than a regular “used” vehicle.
For example, at the time of this article in April 2016, a used 2012 Mini Roadster has a Kelley Blue Book value of $15,148; the same vehicle in the Mini CPO program is priced around $17,029.
Compare Mini 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.
