Shopping for a used Smart vehicle often leads many drivers to consider certified pre-owned options. Smart is one of many manufacturers that have a certified pre-owned (CPO) program. Each car manufacturer structures their CPO program differently; read on to learn about the specifics of the Smart CPO program.
In order to be considered a Smart Certified Pre-Owned car, vehicles must be under five years old, and have less than 75,000 miles. These vehicles come complete with a 12-month, 100,000-mile Certified Limited Warranty.
Inspection
In order to ensure that every Smart Certified Pre-Owned car is safe to be driven, each vehicle must pass a 164-point inspection which includes:
- Engine Compartment Check
- Engine Component Check
- Electrical Systems Check
- Drivetrain Check
- Body Inspection
- Road Test
- Interior and Exterior Appearance Check and Detailing
If anything does not meet the high standards of the Smart technicians, it must be fixed. If it cannot be fixed and meet the proper factory standards, the vehicle cannot become a Certified Pre-Owned Smart vehicle.
Warranty
Smart CPO vehicles come with a warranty, which covers repairs or replacement to any part that becomes defective under normal use within the first 12 months or 100,000 miles, whichever comes first. The warranty requires no deductible for each service visit.
It also includes additional benefits, such as:
24-hour Roadside Assistance, which includes free jump-start services, flat tire changes, and emergency fuel delivery.
Trip Interruption Coverage, which reimburses a vehicle owner for expenses up to $300 per day for three days in the event that your vehicle breaks down more than 100 miles from home.
Pricing
Purchasing a Certified Pre-Owned Smart vehicle instead of a used vehicle can make a difference in the price at most dealerships. The bottom line will usually be around 9% higher than a regular “used” vehicle.
For example, at the time of this article in April 2016, a used 2013 Smart Fortwo has a Kelley Blue Book value of $7,072; the same vehicle in the Smart CPO program is priced around $7,747.
Compare Smart 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.
