GM Offers Powertrain Warranty on Its Certified Used Cars

General Motors Corp. says the expansion of its 5-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty program to GM certified used cars is aimed at keeping customers for life.

The transferable limited warranty covering more than 900 components with no deductible is for '02-'06 Buicks, Chevrolets, GMCs, Oldsmobiles and Pontiacs, the auto maker says. The warranty is effective from a vehicle's original in-service date. The program takes effect March 5.

“We want lifetime customers, whether they are buying new or used vehicles,” Troy Clarke, president of GM's North American operations, says at the National Automobile Dealers Assn. convention in Las Vegas.

Certified pre-owned vehicles usually are off-lease remarketed models without transferable powertrain warranties.

Certified GM vehicles undergo 117-point inspections and necessary reconditioning, GM says.

They come with an existing 3-month/3,000-mile bumper-to-bumper comprehensive limited warranty and a 3-day/150-mile return policy. They sell for a premium compared with standard used cars.

Dealers who sell certified used vehicles “have been asking for this because it adds a real point of differentiation for our program,” Brian McVeigh, general manager, GM Fleet and Commercial Operations, says.

Adds Clarke: “Once again, we are putting our money where are mouth is. It's a tough industry, and we hope this announcement will make it tougher and more competitive.”

Clarke says GM expects to launch a similar warranty for Saturn vehicles later this year.

There are separate programs for Cadillac, Saab and Hummer, each offering a 6-year/100,000 mile, bumper-to-bumper limited warranty.