What's actually checked in a CPO inspection?
My dealer's website says their CPO program includes a '150-point inspection' but I can't find the actual checklist anywhere. What should actually be inspected on a CPO car? Are some points just 'check that radio turns on' type stuff?
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asked 1 July 2024, 5:06 pm by Leo G.
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It varies enormously. A good manufacturer CPO inspection covers: drivetrain (engine, transmission, AWD system), brakes (pad thickness, rotor condition), tires (tread depth, age), suspension (shocks, bushings, alignment), fluids (all changed or topped), electrical (all systems tested), body (paint condition, accident repair), interior (all functions tested), and a road test. Ask for the actual completed checklist - a reputable dealer should provide it. If they won't show it to you, the inspection probably wasn't thorough.
Some points ARE basic (radio, power windows, horn) but many are meaningful. The key question: who performed the inspection? If it was a certified technician at a franchise dealer, it has more credibility than a used car lot's mechanic of unknown qualification.