Acura offers a certified pre-owned (CPO) warranty that provides protection for six years or 100,000 miles, whichever comes first.
Many car owners dream of owning an Acura with its amazing tech and roomy interior. Not everyone can afford a new model, but buying any used car comes with risks. That’s why Acura offers a CPO program that delivers a competitive warranty package and gives used Acura owners the peace of mind they deserve.
Acura certified pre-owned (CPO) warranty coverage
Acura is one of many vehicle brands to offer a certified pre-owned (CPO) warranty for its qualifying used models. The warranty includes a wide range of protection for six years or 100,000 miles.
Acura’s CPO warranty extends certain parts of the original warranty. Typically, it becomes active once the new car warranty expires and adds one to two years of additional coverage. Of course, it can only be applied to pre-owned cars.
Here’s the thing: a used car is not automatically certified pre-owned. A CPO model is one that’s been on the market for six model years or less and has under 80,000 miles.
Most Acuras allow a new owner to purchase a CPO warranty to either extend or replace the original or expired warranty. Qualifying vehicles must undergo a certification process performed by an Acura service team, including checking the VIN to certify it.
Upon doing so, owners receive the following:
Certified warranty booklet
Copy of 182-point inspection
Let’s look at what the CPO warranty covers and what it doesn’t. This should give you an idea of whether it’s worth the investment.
What’s covered
The Acura CPO warranty provides basic coverage for owners of pre-owned models. If your Acura qualifies for this protection plan, it will cover the following:
Powertrain coverage: includes the engine, transmission/transfer case, front- and rear-wheel-drive system, cylinder block, seals and gaskets, torque converter, timing gears, oil pan, oil pump, exhaust manifolds, differential housing, driveshafts, and universal joints
Bumper-to-bumper coverage: includes non-powertrain components, such as the fuel system, throttle body, control arms, ball joint, heater core, alternator, electronic control modules, steering gearbox, bushings, ABS electronic control unit, disc-brake calipers, radiator, and manually operated switches
Certification also entails a 182-point inspection, and you can also purchase additional Acura Care benefits.
What isn’t covered
An Acura CPO warranty is fairly extensive but it doesn’t cover everything. Here are a few things you’ll have to pay for on your own or buy additional protection for:
Scheduled maintenance after your first visit
General appearance including body parts and trim, upholstery, mirrors, and wheels
Emission system components (catalytic converter, muffler, tailpipe, and more)
Wear and tear including spark plugs, wiper blades, bulbs, disc-brake pads/rotors/drums/shoes, and battery cables
Repairs that are the result of acts of nature
Repairs that are the result of vehicle misuse
Repairs that are the result of improper maintenance
As you can see there is quite a bit that’s not covered. Your choices are to accept these limitations or to look into purchasing additional coverage if your budget will allow it.
Additional benefits
With the Acura CPO warranty, you’ll also enjoy these perks:
Emergency roadside assistance: includes gas delivery in emergencies, lockout assistance, flat tire changes, towing services to the nearest Acura dealership, and more
Concierge services: includes urgent message relaying, personal items shipping, weather updates, assistance with insurance claims, referrals to trusted vendors, and more
There is also trip interruption expense reimbursement and rental vehicle reimbursement.
Is an Acura CPO warranty transferable?
Acura warranties, including the CPO warranty, should be fully transferable. Many original owners buy it because it increases the resale value of their cars.
When it comes time to sell your car, you can work with your Acura dealership to make sure that all warranties are properly transferred to the new owner.
Acura CPO program certification process
To qualify as a CPO vehicle, an Acura must pass an extensive inspection performed by Acura technicians. Every part and component of the car will be inspected and scrutinized from the brakes, engine, and powertrain to the steering and suspension.
If any part of a pre-owned Acura doesn’t meet the manufacturer’s standard, it might have to be replaced or repaired before the CPO warranty is transferred. The technicians might also pull the vehicle history report, check the maintenance history, and perform a road test.
Don’t worry if your vehicle fails the inspection. You can still sell it as a regular Acura instead of a certified pre-owned vehicle. This means the new owner will have less protection and benefits, though, so you might have to reduce the price a bit.
Ultimately, the CPO inspection confirms that you’re not buying a lemon. It also ensures that you’ll have coverage for problems that can occur within the first couple of years after the new car warranty expires.
Are Acura models reliable?
How important it is to buy a CPO warranty depends on how reliable your Acura is. The more likely it is that an issue will arise, the more reason to invest in warranties.
Acura scores well for reliability. RepairPal gives the automaker an above-average 4 out of 5, ranking it 2nd out of 32 brands. Furthermore, J.D. Power ranks the Acura RDX
7th for compact premium SUVs, ahead of SUVs from popular brands like Mercedes-Benz
and Audi
. It received these rankings thanks to the cost, frequency, and severity of the typical repairs.
Acura TLX reliability scores
The 2022 Acura TLX
is middle of the pack for Acura models for reliability. Here are two of its ratings from noted consumer reports: RepairPal: 3 out of 5 reliability rating (328i)
J.D. Power: 80/100 quality and reliability score
Acura MDX reliability scores
The Acura MDX
is considered to be more reliable than the TLX. Take a look at how it fared in reliability ratings: RepairPal: 4 out of 5 reliability rating
J.D. Power: 85/100 quality and reliability score
Average Acura repair costs
According to RepairPal, the average Acura owner pays $501 in annual repairs. Considering the quality and price of most Acura models, this isn’t too bad. A CPO warranty won’t cover every repair, but it could help you save in both the short- and long-term.
For instance, a CPO will cover a lot of powertrain issues. Without the protection of a warranty, even one mechanical problem with a powertrain component can cost you upwards of $2,000.
Since it also covers expensive parts and systems like brakes, you could avoid paying hundreds or even thousands of dollars if your vehicle experiences any severe problems or a manufacturer defect.
Our take: is an Acura CPO warranty worth it?
Without a doubt, you should get the CPO warranty if your pre-owned Acura qualifies and you can afford it.
This will deliver the joy of Acura driving and ownership but negate many of the problems you might experience while owning the vehicle. Yes, Acura makes a reliable car, but no vehicle is impervious to mechanical failures or needing a part replaced.
You don’t have to pay for the extra coverage if you don’t want to, though. Do your homework and weigh the cost against the expense and stress of your car needing immediate repairs.
How to save on Acura insurance costs
A CPO warranty is all about protection but it won’t protect you from car accidents, uninsured drivers, and everything that driving can throw at you. For that, you need quality car insurance
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