Audi is a brand that defines luxury and German engineering which makes pre-owned Audis extremely desirable. A Certified Pre-Owned Audi is perhaps the best and safest options thanks to the extensive inspection each vehicle has to go through to get a CPO status from Audi. And is the case with any good pre-owned, there is the reassurance of Audi's CPO warranty.

In this article, we shall take a detailed look at Audi's Certified Pre-Owned by assessing parameters such as coverage options, duration of coverage, and options for long-term protection. We shall also compare the Audi CPO program to some of the other top contenders to see if it's worth it. We shall look into third-party extended warranty providers and for extended coverage.

Audi CPO Warranty Overview

All new Audi vehicles come with a factory New Vehicle Limited Warranty, which comprises a 4-years/50,000 miles bumper-to-bumper and powertrain coverage. The CPO warranty that accompanies all Certified Pre-Owned Audis is comprised of the remaining coverage that's left on the vehicle's original warranty combined with the added year of coverage that’s part of the CPO program.

However, in case the factory warranty on a vehicle has expired then Audi will only provide the 1-year/unlimited-mile bumper-to-bumper protection from the date of purchase as part of the CPO program without the option to extended or get additional factory coverage. Here's a list of parts covered under Audi's CPO warranty:

- Fuel system: Fuel tank, fuel pump, intake manifold, mass airflow sensor

- Cooling system: Coolant pump and impeller, thermostat, radiator

- Engine: Timing belts, engine block, crankshaft

- Transmission (in both automatic and manual cars): Transmission mounts, gearshift lever

- Suspension: Front axle subframe, rear axle beams, coil springs

- Steering: Power steering pump, steering shafts, steering column

- Climate control: Air conditioning compressor, heater control unit, fresh air blower

As is the case with most warranties, Audi does not cover regular maintenance services and any damage caused by collisions, theft, vandalism, or natural disasters. Audi also won't charge any transfer fee if you choose to sell your vehicle privately before the coverage expires.

The biggest plus point has to be the fact that Audi doesn't charge deductibles per service, which means hassle-free visits to the workshop without having to pay a dime at the end of a repair job. They even go as far as to provide a loaner vehicle for the duration of the repair.

Other industry-standard perks that accompany your Audi CPO include :

- 24x7 Roadside assistance

- Trip interruption and reimbursement

- Rental car reimbursement

How Does Audi CPO Warranty Coverage Compare to Other Brands

Audi's CPO is the shortest in terms of duration when compared to some of its key competitors. Additional coverage is always handy, Audi owners just like every other well-known German luxury marque will have burned through this extra coverage before Genesis and Jaguar owner's factory warranties expire. However, except for these two luxury brands, most of Audi's competitors including Lexus, Mercedes, and BMW offer the same terms.

Audi Pre-Owned Certification Process

An Audi CPO needs to meet strict standards which starts with a 300-point inspection where the car is checked thoroughly where they look through the vehicle's service history and accident records after which it goes through a rigorous road test for a truly real-world test. In case of any issue that might come up during testing, applicable repairs may be made to the vehicle but if the issues are severe then the car will not be taken up under the CPO program.

Do You Need More Coverage?

Audi's coverage, though comprehensive, might be too short for some people's liking. That’s where extended protection from a third-party provider comes in. But before you run off to buy a new extended warranty plan, you need to take into account your Audi's average maintenance cost and whether the additional cost of the warranty will be worth it for you in the long run.

According to J.D. Power 2021 US Vehicle Dependability StudySM, Audi owners experience a slightly above-average number of issues with their cars. The study reported an average of 127 mechanical issues per 100 Audi vehicles – the industry average for 2021 was 121 issues. RepairPal's data also paints a similar picture where Audi sits at the very top in terms of annual repair and maintenance costs.

RepairPal Reliability Factor

Average Annual Repair Cost

Frequency of Repairs

Chance of Severe Repair

Audi Average

$987

0.8 times per year

13%

Industry Average

$652

0.4 times per year

12%


It is these high maintenance costs that make extended warranty plans a lot more attractive for Audi owners. Here's a list of repairs along with the charges for some popular Audi models for a better understanding:

Audi Model

Common Repair

Average Repair Cost

Audi A4

Valve cover gasket replacement

$187 to $262

Audi A7

Headlight bulb replacement

$333 to $381

Audi Allroad Quattro

Catalytic converter replacement

$1,907 to $1,968

Audi A8 Quattro

Thermostat replacement

$562 to $699


What Does An Audi Extended Warranty Cover?

Audi offers an extended warranty program for all new Audi models and they also have a bespoke CPO Vehicle Service Protection program for their certified pre-owned models. This increases coverage for mechanical repairs and defects by an additional 2-years/unlimited miles.

Other perks of Audi's in-house extended coverage include:

- $0 Deductibles

- Roadside assistance

- Rental car reimbursement

- Trip interruption coverage

- Transferrable warranty for $50

If you choose to get a third party extended warranty for your Audi, here's a list of some of our top recommendations:

CARCHEX:

With over 21-years of experience in the industry, CARCHEX is one of the most established players, and with an A+ rating from Better Business Bureau (BBB), it is also one of the most reputed warranty providers. CARCHEX offers coverage for cars with up to 250,000 miles which makes them a great choice for people who plan to purchase a warranty for their heavily used vehicles. They offer a wide range of policies some of which offer industry-leading claim filing processes. CARCHEX should be on your list when shopping for an extended warranty.

CARCHEX has been in business for more than 21 years and is known for its strong industry reputation. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) rates CARCHEX at A+, and the extended warranty provider partners with experts such as Edmunds.com and Kelley Blue Book. With coverage for vehicles with up to 250,000 miles, CARCHEX works with highly rated administrators such as American Auto Shield to offer various plan options.

Endurance:

Endurance is our pick of the lot in the extended warranty business and has established itself for its class-leading customer service and coverage options. They offer Coverage for cars up to 20 years old and 200,000+ miles which makes it ideal for used car owners. They offer hassle-free inspection after which the claim can be filed, making the entire process foolproof and they aim to ensure that you don't miss minor details which might cause you trouble in the future.

They also offer membership benefits called Endurance Elite which is bundled in for the first year, free of charge, and offers services like:

- Tire repair or replacement

- Key fob repair or replacement

- Collision discount

- Total loss protection

- 24/7 roadside assistance

Protect My Car:

Protect My Car is one of the top consumer-rated warranty providers with over sixteen years of experience in the business backed by high BBB. They offer combo plans that include maintenance packages along with the added warranty and even go the extra mile by offering services like Oil changes and tire rotation for added convenience. Coverage for older vehicles and long-term payment options are other highlights that make Protect My Car one of our top picks.

Protect My Car offers three extended warranty options with coverage options for vehicles with up to 125,000 miles on the odometer. Owners of used cars beyond 125,000 miles should look into the company's Ambassador Maintenance Plans for discounts on routine maintenance and repairs.