16nine

I'm seeking a low-mileage 2018-2020 S63 AMG coupe, with specific options/color. I've been searching for many moons & in some cases see advertisements claiming "certified pre-owned". so...

- what does CPO mean, actually? What are the real benefits? is this just a marketing gimmick?

- if a seller wanted to have their car "certified" is it worth the effort?

- if I restrict my search to CPO-only, am I really getting something, well, more reliable etc?

Thanks for any feedback offered

W205C43PFL

1. Nowadays, purchasing a CPO vehicle just means that you get additional warranty on top of the new car warranty incase something goes wrong. CPO also used to mean they (MB) do a 166 point inspection https://www.mercedes-benz.ca/content...rochure_EN.pdf
but now it is most likely them just checking boxes and say it is certified so if you are buying a CPO it is usually buying a CPO warranty. That being said, cars certified by CPO is usually less than or within 4 years old and less than 100,000 KMs?

2. MB CPO are only possible by an MB dealership, so no third parties can't just get it certified.

3. It depends if your selling dealership actually went through the inspection, if that is the case, it certainly will be more reliable than cars that aren't certified (especially if they have records of the previous owner doing proper maintenance and on time, etc.

If you do not get a CPO, you can always get your car checked by your local dealership by paying for a PPI (Pre-purchase inspection)

Good luck with your car purchase.

okbarnett

You better get a cpo car. Unless your rich and dont car how much repairs will cost you. You probably dont care if you get a warranty with a new car either. A cpo is pretty good assurance of most major repairs and about as close to the extension of the original warranty.

makiii

When I bought the CLK350 Cabriolet in 2010 it was a CPO, my Veterinary friend bought a SL 550 from a well respected import car dealer here in town and just got the drive train warranty. I told him he was making a mistake! go back and get the 100% extended. he said it was too expensive at $4000.
Well fast forward 6 months, he had an issue with the ignition, then the issues with the top, then his Nav. screen went dark, - $6000 later he sold the car.
My 2010 Mini Cooper Clubman S had the engine replaced on an extended warranty - repair would have cot $5000 - so its not just a MB thing
Either get a CPO or at least and extended warranty, if you never use it , you are fortunate - if you do then YOU ARE VERY FORTUNATE!

W205C43PFL

I am not saying CPO is a bad thing but it is a hit and miss from what I heard across the forums, mbworld, bimmerpost and rennlist. I actually recommend getting a PPI even on a CPO vehicle if you are going to keep the vehicle beyond CPO warranty or maybe look into extended warranty options. I wouldn't 100% trust carfax either. Remember, the dealership is there to make a quick buck.

W205C43PFL

The worse part is that the dealership hides things from you like underbody damage until you find it out later, bent rims, leaking this leaking that which wasn't addressed and wasn't obvious, broken trim pieces in the interior that you don't notice right away, hence my recommendation of getting a PPI.

16nine

Thank You all for your insight and feedback. I'll definitely have a PPI performed no matter what path I go *and* get the extended warranty