What Does The BMW CPO Warranty Cover?

Are you considering purchasing a BMW Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) vehicle? As part of the CPO program, BMW offers a comprehensive warranty to provide coverage and peace of mind to used BMW buyers. But what exactly is included in the BMW CPO warranty?

In this complete guide, we’ll explain everything you need to know about what does bmw cpo warranty cover for defects and repairs. Read on to learn about:

BMW’s Certified Pre-Owned program and eligibility
What’s covered under the CPO warranty
Exclusions and limitations
Additional benefits
How BMW’s CPO warranty stacks up to competitors
BMW reliability and ownership costs
Whether the CPO warranty provides enough coverage

After reading, you’ll have a full understanding of what to expect from the BMW CPO warranty so you can decide if an extended car warranty is right for you.

What is the BMW CPO Program?

BMW’s Certified Pre-Owned program puts used BMWs through a rigorous 200-point inspection and reconditioning process. For a vehicle to qualify for CPO status, it must:

Have no more than 60,000 miles
Be less than 6 years old
Pass an extensive inspection covering everything from the engine to the interior cabin
Have a clean history report

If issues are found during the inspection, BMW dealership technicians will repair or replace components with new parts to meet the automaker’s standards. About 30 percent of inspected vehicles do not end up qualifying for certification.

Once a vehicle passes, it is designated as a Certified Pre-Owned BMW. The CPO certification comes with added peace of mind for used car buyers in the form of extended warranty coverage, roadside assistance, trip interruption protection, and more. These benefits are outlined in the comprehensive BMW CPO warranty.

BMW CPO Warranty Basics

The BMW CPO warranty is divided into two parts:

Remainder of the 4-year/50,000-mile BMW new vehicle limited warranty: CPO buyers get the remaining new car warranty coverage based on the age and mileage at the time of purchase. This covers defects in materials and workmanship just like the original new vehicle warranty.
Additional 1-year/unlimited miles CPO warranty: After the original 4-year/50,000-mile new vehicle warranty expires, the 1-year CPO warranty kicks in with no mileage limit. This covers the same parts and components; however there are some additional exclusions compared to the new car warranty which we’ll outline below.

So in total, you can get up to 5 years of comprehensive warranty protection on a CPO BMW between the remaining new car coverage and additional CPO warranty. The unlimited miles provision after year 4 gives buyers added peace of mind.

Now let’s take a deeper look at what exactly the BMW CPO warranty protects against.

What Does the BMW CPO Warranty Cover?

The BMW CPO warranty is similar to new car bumper-to-bumper coverage and covers repairs due to defects in materials or workmanship for the following parts and components:

Engine: Cylinder block and heads, timing gears and cover, oil pump, engine mounts, seals and gaskets
Transmission: Case, torque converter, gear sets, synchronizers, seals and gaskets
Electrical: Alternator, starter motor, ignition system, sensors, control units
Brakes: Master cylinder, calipers, wheel speed sensors, brake boosters, lines and hoses
Steering: Steering gearbox, power steering pump, steering column, shafts and joints
Suspension: Strut bearings, wheel bearings, control arm bushes
Cooling system: Water pump, radiator, cooling fan
Fuel system: Fuel pump, fuel injectors, metal fuel lines
Air conditioning: Compressor, condenser, evaporator, receiver drier
Electrical systems: Wiring harnesses, fuses, electronic control units
Entertainment/navigation: Factory-installed entertainment and navigation components
Interior and exterior: Factory-installed trim pieces, handles, knobs and switches; body panels

As you can see, the BMW CPO warranty is quite comprehensive when it comes to major systems across the entire vehicle. It functions similarly to bumper-to-bumper coverage offered on new BMWs.

However, while the CPO warranty is extensive, it does not cover all parts or repairs. Let’s look at common exclusions not protected after the 4-year/50,000-mile new vehicle coverage expires.

What is Not Covered by the BMW CPO Warranty?

Like new car warranties, the BMW CPO warranty has quite a few exclusions for certain components, particularly those that commonly wear out from normal driving.

While covered under the remainder of the 4-year/50,000-mile new vehicle warranty, the following parts see reduced protection under the 1-year BMW certified pre-owned warranty:

Brake pads, rotors, drums: These wear items are excluded after the new car warranty runs out.
Wiper inserts/blade refills
All filters and fluids: Engine oil, coolant, transmission fluid, etc.
Spark plugs
Tires: May still carry separate tire manufacturer warranty.
Wheels: Rims and wheel covers.
Paint/clear coat: Corrosion or rust perforation still covered.
Light bulbs/LEDs

In addition to the above parts seeing reduced coverage, the following components are not covered at all under the CPO warranty:

Glass: Windshield or glass damage from road hazards.
Weatherstripping: Window, door, convertible top, or sunroof seals.
Trim pieces: Chrome, wood, leather, or other interior trim.
Squeaks/rattles
Shock absorbers/struts: However, strut mounts and bearings are covered.
Body panels: Repairs for dents, scratches, or collision damage. Rust/corrosion still covered.
Upholstery: Seat leather, vinyl, or carpet.
Modified components: Any CPO vehicle modifications or alterations.

Repairs for the above parts due to normal wear, accidents, or modifications are not included in the BMW CPO warranty. Make sure to consult your warranty booklet for specifics on your coverage, term length, and mileage limit.

While the BMW CPO warranty is extensive for most major components, you can see there are quite a few exclusions to be aware of – especially as your vehicle gets older. These limitations make an extended warranty worth considering before your coverage ends.

Additional BMW CPO Warranty Benefits

Along with repair coverage for defects, the BMW CPO vehicle warranty also includes these helpful perks:

24/7 Roadside Assistance

Flat tire changes
Jump starts
Fuel delivery
Lockout service
Towing to the nearest BMW dealership

This assistance helps give BMW CPO buyers added peace-of-mind when traveling and serves as a safety net for issues on the road.

Trip Interruption Benefits

If your CPO BMW has a mechanical breakdown covered by the warranty and repairs take overnight when you are more than 100 miles from home, BMW assists with up to $1,000 per incident for:

Alternative lodging
Rental car reimbursement
Meals
Other travel expenses

So while an extended hotel stay and missed work is never ideal, BMW has provisions to reduce out-of-pocket costs for significant repairs away from home.

Service Loaners

Need service done on your BMW CPO vehicle that will take several hours or necessitate leaving your vehicle at the dealership overnight? Ask about an available complimentary loaner car for transportation while your BMW is repaired under warranty.

How Does BMW’s CPO Warranty Compare to Other Brands?

BMW’s CPO program and included warranty stands up quite favorably against other luxury makes in many areas:

Brand	Eligibility	Inspections	Warranty Length	Warranty Miles	Roadside Assistance
BMW	< 6 years/ <60K miles	200-point	1 year additional	Unlimited	6 years
Audi	< 5 years/<60K miles	125+ point	1 year/20K miles additional	NA	4 years
Cadillac	< 4 years/<50K miles	172-point	1 year additional	Unlimited	6 years
Lexus	< 6 years/<80K miles	161-point	6 years total	Unlimited	6 years
Mercedes	< 6 years/<75K miles	165+ point	1 year additional	Unlimited	4 years

The key advantages of BMW’s CPO program include:

Very low age and mileage limits for eligibility
One of the most rigorous inspection processes
Good length of additional coverage with unlimited miles
Lengthy complimentary roadside assistance period

Lexus is the only brand that matches or slightly exceeds some areas of BMW’s CPO warranty. However, Lexus has much higher age and mileage limits for qualifying vehicles. Overall BMW sets the standard for CPO luxury vehicles when looking at the whole package.

BMW Reliability and Ownership Costs

While repairing your BMW is generally expensive compared to non-luxury vehicles, how likely are you to encounter issues needing fixes? Here is a look at BMW reliability based on industry research:

J.D. Power 2023 U.S. Vehicle Dependability StudySM

BMW scored well for a luxury brand – ranking 4th out of 14 luxury automakers
184 problems per 100 vehicles reported after 3 years of ownership
Better than Audi, Porsche, Mercedes-Benz, Land Rover, Jaguar, Genesis

RepairPal Reliability Rating

BMW rated as “Poor” by RepairPal
30th out of 32 brands ranked
High average repair costs play a role in lower rating

The average annual cost for maintenance and repairs reported by BMW owners to RepairPal is $968 – about 50% higher than industry average. This gives some context around why BMW scored lower on RepairPal’s scale.

Common BMW problem areas to be aware of across models include:

Engine cooling system issues
Oil leaks
Electrical gremlins
Transmission problems
Fuel pump failures
Power window regulator failures

As with any used vehicle purchase, make sure to carefully inspect service records before buying a BMW CPO car. Confirm routine maintenance has been performed to give you the best chance of avoiding issues down the road.

While the BMW CPO warranty coverage is quite good for 1 year, higher than average repair costs make extended protection worth considering.

Is the BMW CPO Warranty Enough Coverage?

The BMW Certified Pre-Owned warranty provides excellent coverage for 1 year with no mileage limit. But with out-of-pocket repair costs being high for BMWs, you may want more coverage after your included CPO warranty expires.

Here are some pros and cons of relying solely on the CPO warranty for protection:

Pros

Covers the entire vehicle for 1 year apart from some wear items
Unlimited miles provision
Additional benefits like roadside assistance

Cons

Very expensive out-of-pocket repair costs after coverage ends
Some exclusions for common wear items
1 year term still low for a luxury vehicle

For these reasons, investing in extended warranty coverage can be wise for BMW CPO owners planning to keep vehicles beyond the 6-year/unlimited mile mark. Two avenues to add coverage include:

BMW Extended Warranty – Can be added to cover your BMW for up to 7 years/unlimited miles from the original in-service date. Comprehensive coverage using BMW parts/technicians. More expensive.
Third-Party Warranty – Typically better value, more repair facility choice flexibility, and longer terms than manufacturer plans. Can start coverage after factory warranty expires.

Be sure to get quotes from multiple extended car warranty providers to compare coverage and pricing. This allows you to find the best plan for your budget and needs.

Adding extra mechanical breakdown protection gives you assurance to hold onto your prized BMW for the long run.

Frequently Asked Questions About the BMW CPO Warranty

Here are answers to some common questions about exactly what the BMW Certified Pre-Owned vehicle warranty covers:

What is the length of the CPO warranty?

You get 1 additional year after the 4-year/50,000 new car warranty runs out. So 5 years total from the original sale date. This comes with unlimited miles for that additional year.

Does the BMW CPO warranty cover maintenance?

No, the CPO warranty only covers defects in materials or workmanship. Normal wear items and scheduled maintenance are excluded. Make sure to follow BMW’s maintenance schedule.

Are there options to extend the CPO warranty past 1 year?

Yes! BMW provides their own extended warranty plans you can purchase to get up to 7 years total from the original sale date. Third-party protection plans from leading providers offer longer extensions as well.

Can I transfer the BMW CPO warranty to a new owner if I sell?

Yes, the remaining BMW CPO warranty and optional extended plans are fully transferable to subsequent private party buyers. This typically adds value if you don’t plan to keep the vehicle for the long term.

Does the BMW CPO warranty apply in Canada or other countries?

It depends – the BMW new car warranty is valid in Canada. The CPO warranty may only be valid in the country of original sale. Check with your dealer as restrictions can apply based on where you purchase the CPO vehicle.

Still have questions? Speak with your BMW dealership’s sales and finance teams for clarification on the CPO warranty coverage for your situation.

Know What to Expect from BMW’s CPO Warranty

If you plan to purchase a Certified Pre-Owned BMW, understanding the ins and outs of what does bmw cpo warranty cover for repairs is key. When equipped with details around what’s included and which parts are excluded, you can make informed decisions regarding extended protection for your investment.

While expensive to purchase up front, a CPO vehicle still saves substantially over the price of a new BMW. And you benefit from rigid inspection standards to get a quality, late-model used car with lower mileage at a more affordable price point.

The BMW CPO warranty delivers peace of mind that any issues from the past are addressed. And should anything fail due to faulty materials or workmanship in the first year of ownership, you’ve got comprehensive repair coverage.

To keep your prized Ultimate Driving Machine purring for years beyond the standard warranty, be sure to consider an extended auto protection plan from BMW or a leading third-party provider. This gives you financial security to truly maximize your ownership experience.