BMW certified pre-owned warranty

How does BMW’s CPO program stack up? Is it better than Audi’s and Mercedes’?

Protect your vehicle with personalized coverage.

    +2 more
    Audi and BMW
    technician checking the underneath parts of the car

    BMWs don’t come cheap, and neither do their repairs when things go wrong. As a result, you might be thinking about buying a certified pre-owned (CPO) BMW to save a few bucks. BMW CPOs can reduce the risk of paying out of pocket for future repairs, but is it really worth it? Here’s what to consider.


    Key insights

    CPO BMWs come with a one-year/unlimited-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty that extends the vehicle’s four-year/50,000-mile warranty from the factory.

    Jump to insight

    Certified BMWs must be under five years old, have fewer than 60,000 miles and pass a rigorous inspection and road test conducted by a certified technician.

    Jump to insight

    If you want protection beyond your CPO warranty period, know that BMW’s official extended warranties are extremely expensive and have mixed reviews.

    Jump to insight

    BMW’s certified pre-owned program explained

    BMW’s certified pre-owned program is simply called BMW Certified. To qualify as BMW Certified, a used Bimmer must be at most five model years old (e.g., a 2020 in 2025) and have between 300 and 60,000 miles on the odometer. It must also pass a comprehensive inspection and road test conducted by a BMW-certified technician.

    CPO coverage kicks in after your factory warranty expires.

    “With CPO it goes through an intense inspection process. We really go through them with a fine-toothed comb,” a sales associate at a BMW dealer told us. “When you buy CPO, you’re pretty much purchasing a new car.”

    When you buy a certified pre-owned BMW, you’ll get one year of bumper-to-bumper coverage (no mileage limit) added to the remainder of your four-year/50,000-mile factory warranty. If the factory warranty of your CPO vehicle has already expired, your one-year warranty starts on the date you purchase the vehicle.

    We really go through them with a fine-toothed comb.”
    — a BMW sales associate

    How good is BMW’s CPO warranty?

    BMW’s CPO warranty is a little better than the industry average (one year/12,000 miles of bumper-to-bumper coverage) but potentially much more valuable, considering the high cost of BMW repairs.

    It’s worth noting, however, that BMW’s CPO warranty isn’t quite as comprehensive as its new vehicle warranty. It still covers roughly 95% of the parts on your car, but there’s a longer list of exceptions with the CPO plan, especially when it comes to suspension, body panels and leaks.

    CPO BMW benefits

    In addition to providing extra warranty coverage, CPO BMWs include the following benefits:

    • 24/7 roadside assistance for the duration of the warranty, including battery jump-starts, fuel or fluid deliveries, tire changes and lockout services
    • Complimentary towing to the nearest BMW dealer if your vehicle is inoperable
    • Trip interruption assistance of up to $1,000 per incident to help cover the cost of meals, lodging, car rentals and alternate transportation if your BMW breaks down over 100 miles from home and requires overnight repairs.
    • Loaner vehicles while your BMW is in the shop for warranty-covered repairs (subject to dealership approval and availability)

    Overall, these are above-average benefits, but the one notable omission is rental car assistance when you’re close to home. Some CPO programs will pay between $150 to $500 to help cover the cost of a rental car if no loaners are available. BMW will only provide rental car assistance if your car breaks down 100-plus miles from home.

    Potential disadvantages

    A common complaint among consumer reviews of BMW on our site is that the automaker tended to deny claims for repairs that customers strongly felt should be covered.

    For instance, David in California purchased a 2006 BMW 750i with a CPO and maintenance program. However, after the warranty expired, the dealer listed over one hundred issues that needed immediate attention, David told us. This led to multiple breakdowns on the road. Despite numerous complaints and service records, the dealer refused to address the problems, and David now believes that the BMW CPO program is a fraud.

    » COMPARE: Best CPO warranties

    How does BMW’s CPO warranty compare?

    BMW’s CPO warranty is still significantly more comprehensive than Audi’s or Mercedes’. They both have limited CPO warranties that only cover a few hundred parts, while BMW’s is exclusionary, meaning it covers almost every part of your vehicle (5,000-plus).

    Still, Porsche offers powertrain coverage that lasts a year longer than BMW’s, so that might be your better bet if you’re looking for maximum warranty coverage on a German luxury car. Outside of German brands, BMW’s CPO warranty effectively matches what you get from Cadillac, but Lexus has both of them beat.

    *No separate bumper-to-bumper coverage beyond the factory warranty

    Protect your vehicle with personalized coverage.

      Do you need an extended warranty for your BMW?

      If you want coverage beyond the extra year provided by your CPO warranty, you might want to consider an extended warranty. BMW’s official extended warranties, dubbed BMW Extended Services Contracts, can offer bumper-to-bumper protection until your vehicle hits seven years old or 100,000 miles — two years beyond what your CPO warranty would cover.

      In our full breakdown of BMW’s official extended warranties, we determined that you could probably save money and have a better overall experience with a top-rated third-party warranty company instead.

      » COMPARE: Top extended car warranty companies

      FAQ

      How much do BMW extended car warranties cost?

      Extended car warranty costs average around $5,000 for two years of coverage. Mikayel in California told us they paid an extra $7,000 for an extended warranty on a 2013 528i BMW CPO.

      Should I purchase an extended auto warranty from a dealer?

      Getting an extended warranty from a dealership can be convenient, but it limits your ability to shop around. If you roll the warranty cost into your auto loan, you’ll also pay interest on it. Many buyers find better deals with third-party providers.

      Are car warranties transferable?

      Yes, most extended auto warranties are transferable, which can increase your car’s resale value. However, some plans may require a small transfer fee and additional paperwork.


      Article sources

      ConsumerAffairs writers primarily rely on government data, industry experts and original research from other reputable publications to inform their work. Specific sources for this article include:

      1. BMW USA, “Certified Pre-Owned Luxury Vehicles.” Accessed June 16, 2025.
      2. J.D. Power, “Vehicle Dependability Still Suffering Due to Pandemic Aftershocks, J.D. Power Finds.” Accessed June 17, 2025.
      3. iSeeCars, “Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) Cars: Are They Worth the Extra Cost?” Accessed June 17, 2025.
      4. Edmunds, “Certified Pre-Owned (CPO).” Accessed June 17, 2025.
      Did you find this article helpful? |
      Share this article