What Is Audi Certified Pre-Owned?

Buying an automaker-backed used car can provide peace of mind, plus some extended benefits.

Andy Stonehouse | 

Apr 13, 2023 | 2 min read

Audi

For shoppers who want the sporty looks and autobahn-worthy performance of a recent Audi but can’t stomach the thought of buying a new car, the brand from Ingolstadt offers a solution. The Audi Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) program offers a wide range of gently used vehicles, each of which has the company’s seal of approval.

Which Cars Are Eligible?

Audi is somewhat pickier than other manufacturers when it comes to its pre-owned vehicle program. It considers only sub-60,000-mile models that are five years old or newer. For reference, BMW looks solely at mileage (which it also caps at 60,000), while Mercedes-Benz allows 75,000-mile six-year-olds into its program.

That said, the Audi CPO program includes the automaker’s extensive lineup of recent models, from its electric e-trons to its sporty wagons. An Audi dealer—the exclusive seller of these CPO vehicles—can help you locate the right vehicle for you, or you can check the current inventory online, setting your location and how far you’re willing to travel. A quick search reveals everything from a sub-10,000-mile 2019 Audi A3 for $31,000 to an exotic 2020 Audi R8 V10 Performance with 33,337 miles for just under $180,000.

How Does the Certification Process Work?

Audi’s certified technicians go over prospective vehicles carefully, performing a comprehensive 125-point inspection that includes everything from checking the function of the engine to ensuring the trunk or liftgate seals properly. Should they come across an issue or there are outstanding recalls on the vehicle, the technicians will make the necessary repairs with OEM parts before signing off.

What are the benefits?

On new vehicles, Audi provides a transferable four-year, 50,000-mile limited warranty. If a CPO vehicle has yet to reach those boundaries, the purchaser will enjoy that coverage until it runs out, at which point the CPO limited warranty will kick in. It includes two years or 50,000 miles of coverage. It’s also transferable to another private owner, should you choose to sell the car within those limits.

Buyers receive two years of 24-hour roadside assistance plus trip-interruption reimbursement on top of any remaining new-vehicle coverage. And those who finance their vehicles through Audi will get their first two scheduled maintenance appointments for free.

Andy Stonehouse

For more than 20 years, Andy has been writing about automobiles from a home base in Colorado, with great driving roads, mountain trails, and ever-changing seasonal conditions for real-world tests. Prior to his work with Capital One, he spent a half decade as cars columnist for Ski Magazine, and he continues to write automotive coverage for ski-resort media in Breckenridge, Copper Mountain, and Vail — home of downhill stars Lindsay Vonn and Mikaela Shiffrin. When he's not praying for a powder day, he enjoys any high-speed moments he can get on the Centennial State's increasingly crowded byways.