Choosing an approved used car removes a lot of the potential uncertainty for car buyers, largely because it will come with an manufacturer-backed approved used warranty. In this guide we have detailed every approved used warranty in one place, so you can easily see who offers what.
You will find approved used cars for sale at franchised main dealerships alongside brand new cars, and available with a range of finance options, so you can usually use a PCP to buy one should you meet the eligibility criteria.
Any approved used car should have been prepared to a very high standard and come with the aforementioned warranty, as well as breakdown cover, and a comprehensive inspection and history check.
As with any used car warranty, you should always check the T&Cs to ensure everything you expect is going to be covered - and consider taking out a service plan to ensure your car stays in good shape.
Approved Used Warranties Compared
- Abarth Approved Used Warranty
- Alfa Romeo Approved Used Warranty
- Aston Martin Approved Used Warranty
- Audi Approved Used Warranty
- Bentley Approved Used Warranty
- BMW Approved Used Warranty
- Citroen Approved Used Warranty
- Cupra Approved Used Warranty
- Dacia Approved Used Warranty
- DS Approved Used Warranty
- Ferrari Approved Used Warranty
- Fiat Approved Used Warranty
- Ford Approved Used Warranty
- Honda Approved Used Warranty
- Hyundai Approved Used Warranty
- Jaguar Approved Used Warranty
- Jeep Approved Used Warranty
- Kia Approved Used Warranty
- Land Rover Approved Used Warranty
- Lexus Approved Used Warranty
- Maserati Approved Used Warranty
- Mazda Approved Used Warranty
- Mercedes-Benz Approved Used Warranty
- MG Approved Used Warranty
- MINI Approved Used Warranty
- Nissan Approved Used Warranty
- Peugeot Approved Used Warranty
- Porsche Approved Used Warranty
- Renault Approved Used Warranty
- Seat Approved Used Warranty
- Skoda Approved Used Warranty
- Subaru Approved Used Warranty
- Suzuki Approved Used Warranty
- Smart Approved Used Warranty
- Tesla Approved Used Warranty
- Toyota Approved Used Warranty
- Vauxhall Approved Used Warranty
- Volkswagen Approved Used Warranty
- Volvo Approved Used Warranty
Abarth Approved Used Warranty
Abarth’s parent company, Stellantis introduced a new group approved used warranty scheme for most of its brands in 2022, called Spoticar. There are a couple of exceptions, which we’ll get to below, but the majority of manufacturers in the Stellantis camp are now covered by this plan. It includes a minimum of 12 months’ warranty cover, 12 months’ breakdown cover and a 30-day exchange promise. The exchange promise means that should the car develop a serious fault within 30 days or 1,000 miles – whichever comes first – you can exchange it for a similarly priced car. Every car offered, such as the 500 and the 695, goes through a pre-sale inspection that includes any due servicing, a full valet, a test drive and recall checks.
Name of programme: Spoticar | Length of warranty: Minimum 12 months’ warranty | Breakdown cover: 12 months roadside assistance | Inspection: Pre-sale check by franchised dealer | Additional benefits: 30-day, 1,000-mile exchange promise, seven-day drive-away insurance
Aston Martin Approved Used Warranty
The Timeless Certified Pre-owned warranty programme from Aston Martin is available for any qualifying used Aston up to 10 years old, giving you a wide range of choice, from the V8 Vantage Coupe through to bespoke models such as the Vanquish Zagato Speedster – but ‘special project’ cars, such as the Vulcan and One-77, are exempt from the scheme. Cars offered under the Timeless scheme are only available from authorised Aston Martin centres, which carry out a series of mechanical and cosmetic checks. Each car is inspected, certified, and backed up with a 12-month unlimited-mileage warranty, as well as 12 months’ roadside assistance. A vat of extra benefits are included, too, such as a 12-month subscription to AM Magazine and discounts on accessories.
Name of programme: Timeless Certified Pre-Owned | Length of warranty: 12 months, unlimited mileage | Breakdown cover: 12 months’ roadside assistance | Inspection: Multipoint pre-delivery check by Aston technicians, only genuine Aston parts used | Additional benefits: MOT test cover for cars over two years old, independently certified history and mileage inspection, 12-month subscription to AM magazine
Audi Approved Used Warranty
The Audi Approved warranty programme applies to main dealer cars up to eight years old and with less than 100,000 miles on the clock. Every car listed has to pass up to 150 checks, which include mechanical, interior and on-road assessments – and any issues will be rectified with genuine Audi parts. Used vehicles that are up to eight years old and with up to 100,000 miles on the clock are offered and all come with a 12-month warranty. It’s worth bearing in mind that the warranty will expire, however, should the car’s mileage exceed a total of 100,000 miles in that timeframe. MOT cover for repairs up to £750 is also included, along with a 30-day exchange plan. In addition, buyers of the Q8 e-tron and e-tron GT electric vehicles can benefit from the installation of a 7kW home charger at no extra cost.
Name of programme: Audi Approved | Length of warranty: 12 months | Breakdown cover: 12 months’ roadside assistance| Inspection: Up to 150-point check, including a separate mechanical, exterior and interior check, a road test and a written report; work carried out using original Audi parts | Additional benefits: Service history certificate detailing all routine work, key cover, history and mileage checks and five-day drive-away insurance
Bentley Approved Used Warranty
Buying a Bentley is by no means a casual affair and, if you’re concerned about reliability and ongoing quality, it’s perhaps best to consider a car from the official Certified by Bentley warranty scheme. Each used car offered by Bentley goes through a detailed inspection by factory-trained technicians, in which the car is carefully checked against its original specifications and build records. A 12-month warranty is included, which can be extended on application, as is roadside assistance. Customers also get an invitation to a guided factory tour, as well as free subscription to the owners’ magazine. A wide range of cars are offered, including low-mileage Continental Flying Spurs from the mid-Noughties through to nearly new Bentaygas.
Name of programme: Certified by Bentley | Length of warranty: Minimum of 12 months | Breakdown cover: Minimum of 12 months roadside assistance | Inspection: Comprehensive check and reconditioning process | Additional benefits: Certificate of authenticity for the car, guided tour of the Bentley factory in Crewe, subscription to the Bentley owners’ magazine
BMW Approved Used Warranty
BMW Approved Used is the name given to BMW’s manufacturer-backed used car warranty programme. It can be applied to every model in the BMW range, from the 1 Series all the way up to the X7, and offers buyers reassurance that a car will be prepared to BMW’s own standards. This includes a full vehicle inspection and road test, a mileage and history check and a minimum 12-month warranty. It is worth noting that BMW also offers a warranty product for used cars not bought through its approved used programme, provided the car in question falls within age and mileage limits and has been maintained according to the manufacturer’s criteria.
Name of programme: Approved Used BMW | Length of Warranty: Minimum 12 months | Breakdown cover: Minimum 12 months’ roadside assistance | Inspection: 120-point inspection by BMW technicians, only genuine BMW parts used | Additional Benefits: 12 months’ MOT cover, full road test, mileage and vehicle history check, five-day drive-away insurance
Citroen Approved Used Warranty
Citroen is one of the many Stellantis manufacturers to get the group’s Spoticar approved used car warranty. As with its sister brands, this scheme offers a warranty of at least 12 months and a year’s roadside assistance. There’s also a 30-day/1,000-mile exchange promise, which means you can exchange it for a similarly priced car within that time and mileage limit. Every car goes through a pre-sale inspection that includes any due servicing, a full valet, a test drive and recall checks.
Name of programme: Spoticar | Length of warranty: Minimum 12 months’ warranty | Breakdown cover: 12 months roadside assistance | Inspection: Pre-sale check by franchised dealer | Additional benefits: 30-day, 1,000-mile exchange promise, seven-day drive-away insurance
Cupra Approved Used Warranty
As with its sister brand, Seat, Cupra’s approved used car offering is one of the best in the business, because it includes a 24-month warranty and 24 months’ roadside assistance. That’s twice what most manufacturers offer, and within the stable of Volkswagen Group brands, it’s joint best. Cupra Approved also gives you five days’ worth of get-you-home cover (aka drive-away insurance) and 12 months’ MOT cover – which will take care of up to £750-worth of MOT-related costs. There’s a 30-day exchange agreement, too.
Name of programme: Seat Approved | Length of warranty: 24 months | Breakdown cover: 24 months’ roadside assistance | Inspection: Multi-point check by Seat technicians | Additional benefits: Five-day drive-away insurance, full history check, 30-day exchange policy, 12 months’ MOT cover up to £750
Dacia Approved Used Warranty
Somewhat unsurprisingly, Dacia’s approved used car offering is similar to its parent brand Renault’s. Known as Dacia Approved Vehicles, cars that benefit from the scheme come with minimum 12-month warranty as well as breakdown assistance for 12 months. Each car is put through a comprehensive series of checks, including a history check, and there’s a 30-day exchange policy, along with drive-away insurance which covers you for the drive home and for five days thereafter.
Name of programme: Dacia Approved Vehicles | Length of warranty: Minimum 12 months | Breakdown cover: 12 months’ breakdown cover | Inspection: Mechanical and safety inspection | Additional benefits: 30-day exchange policy, accident support line, history check, five days’ drive-away insurance
DS Approved Used Warranty
Along with Alfa Romeo, DS is the second of the two premium Stellantis brands with its own approved used car warranty scheme, instead of the group’s generic Spoticar approved used warranty. The DS programme is called DS Certified, and it offers a longer period of cover for certain second-hand models that meet specific criteria. Cars up to four years old with no more than 50,000 miles on the clock a minimum 24-month warranty, while those between four and seven years old that have covered up to 100,000 miles receive a minimum 12-month warranty. Roadside cover matches the warranty – either 24 months or 12 months depending on the car – and there’s a 30-day/1,000-mile exchange promise and a pre-sale inspection.
Name of programme: DS Certified | Length of warranty: Cars up to four years old/50,000 miles – minimum 24 months; cars four-seven years old up to 100,000 miles – minimum 12 months | Breakdown cover: 12/24 months roadside assistance in tandem with warranty | Inspection: Pre-sale check by franchised dealer | Additional benefits: 30-day, 1,000-mile exchange promise, seven-day drive-away insurance
Ferrari Approved Used Warranty
Buying a used Ferrari need not be a concern thanks to the company’s extensive Ferrari Approved certification and warranty programme. It’s offered for Ferraris up to 14 years old and each car offered undergoes a comprehensive check by Ferrari technicians, in which the car in question is also carefully prepared to ensure that it meets the brand’s standards. Up to 24 months’ unlimited-mileage warranty is offered in the UK, along with up to 24 months of Ferrari roadside assistance. The warranty excludes wear-and-tear parts but it does guarantee a cost-free repair using genuine parts and fitment by Ferrari-trained technicians. A wide range of Ferraris are available, too, including cars such as the FF, 812 Superfast, 458 Italia and F12berlinetta.
Name of programme: Ferrari Approved | Length of warranty: Up to 24 months, unlimited mileage | Breakdown cover: Up to 24 months’ roadside assistance | Inspection: 190-point check by trained technicians, along with road test | Additional benefits: Provenance and maintenance check, with detailed documentation provided for each car
Fiat Approved Used Warranty
Fiat is one of the many Stellantis brands that uses the Spoticar approved used warranty. As with the other manufacturers, it includes a minimum of 12 months’ warranty cover, 12 months’ breakdown cover and a 30-day exchange promise. The exchange promise means that should the car develop a serious fault within 30 days or 1,000 miles – whichever comes first – you can exchange it for a similarly priced car. Every car offered goes through a pre-sale inspection that includes any due servicing, a full valet, a test drive and recall checks.
Name of programme: Spoticar | Length of warranty: Minimum 12 months’ warranty | Breakdown cover: 12 months roadside assistance | Inspection: Pre-sale check by franchised dealer | Additional benefits: 30-day, 1,000-mile exchange promise, seven-day drive-away insurance
Ford Approved Used Warranty
Ford’s approved used warranty is one of the more generous schemes among the major manufacturers, because it offers double the amount of cover for the two core elements – warranty and breakdown cover. Known as Ford Direct, the programme includes two years’ warranty and two years’ roadside assistance, along with three days’ drive-away insurance and a 30-day exchange plan. The manufacturer used to have a second approved used warranty scheme, called Ford Approved, which applied to its dealers’ own vehicles and offered a lower level of cover than that of the Ford Direct scheme, but that ceased at the end of 2022.
Name of programme: Ford Direct | Length of warranty: 24 months | Breakdown cover: 24 months’ roadside assistance | Inspection: 75-point inspection | Additional benefits: 30-day/1,000-mile exchange plan, three days’ free drive-away insurance, full service history, mileage checked and outstanding finance checked
Honda Approved Used Warranty
If you’re looking for a Honda that’s up to eight years old, it’s worth checking out the company’s Honda Approved used warranty scheme. It offers an extensive range of used Hondas, ranging from the practical compact Jazz to the family-friendly CRV SUV, each of which goes through a comprehensive check before being offered with a minimum of 12 months’ warranty. Like many others, Honda also offers a 30-day/1,000-mile exchange policy. Should you encounter a problem, and you’re not happy with the car, you can simply exchange it with the dealer for another. Warranty extensions are also available, granting peace of mind if you intend to keep the car for longer. Customers also get five days’ complimentary drive-away insurance, as well as access to Honda’s finance solutions.
Name of programme: Honda Approved | Length of warranty: Minimum of 12 months | Breakdown cover: 12 months’ roadside assistance | Inspection: Multi-point pre-sale check | Additional benefits: Extendable warranty, 30-day/1,000-mile exchange policy, full valet, assured vehicle history and mileage certification, five days’ drive-away insurance
Hyundai Approved Used Warranty
New Hyundais come with five years’ warranty, and now used examples can too. Opt for a car from the Hyundai Promise approved used scheme and it will come with a humungous five-year used car warranty, just like a new vehicle. To qualify, the car in question has to be less than three years old, and have fewer than 60,000 miles on the clock. For cars older than this, there’s then the Hyundai Approved Used scheme, which includes the balance of the manufacturer warranty, plus an additional top-up used car warranty if necessary, to take you up to a minimum of 12 months’ cover. Cars on both schemes also get 12 months’ roadside assistance, and each car also has its history extensively checked, to avoid any frights later down the line. You’ll benefit from a 30-day/1,000-mile exchange policy, too.
Name of programme: Hyundai Promise / Hyundai Approved Used | Length of warranty: Hyundai Promise: 5 Years / Hyundai Approved Used: minimum 12 months | Breakdown cover: 12 months’ roadside assistance | Inspection: Comprehensive check by Hyundai technicians | Additional benefits: Independent mileage and history checks, 30-day/1,000-mile exchange policy
Jaguar Approved Used Warranty
Jaguar Approved is a used approved warranty programme that offers an extensive range of used Jaguars up to seven years of age. Each is put through an extensive 165-point inspection by Jaguar technicians, and faults are rectified using official parts. The cars are then offered with a minimum of 12 months’ warranty, as well as 12 months’ breakdown cover and a host of other benefits, including a 30-day/1,000-mile exchange plan. Buy a used I-Pace electric SUV via the Jaguar Approved scheme and you also get a complimentary smart home charger, plus an extra year of warranty and roadside cover.
Name of programme: Jaguar Approved | Length of warranty: Minimum of 12 months | Breakdown cover: 12 months’ roadside assistance | Inspection: 165-point inspection, with repairs carried out using genuine parts | Additional benefits: MOT test cover up to £750, 30-day/1,000-mile exchange policy, seven days’ drive-away insurance, professional valet, inspection certificate, free EV charger for I-Pace
Jeep Approved Used Warranty
Jeep is among the Stellantis brands with the Spoticar approved used warranty, so it gets the usual fare of a minimum of 12 months’ warranty, 12 months’ breakdown cover and a 30-day exchange promise. The exchange promise means that should the car develop a serious fault within 30 days or 1,000 miles – whichever comes first – you can exchange it for a similarly priced car. Every car offered goes through a pre-sale inspection that includes any due servicing, a full valet, a test drive and recall checks.
Name of programme: Spoticar | Length of warranty: Minimum 12 months’ warranty | Breakdown cover: 12 months roadside assistance | Inspection: Pre-sale check by franchised dealer | Additional benefits: 30-day, 1,000-mile exchange promise, seven-day drive-away insurance
Kia Approved Used Warranty
If you’re looking for a hassle-free used car purchase, make a beeline for the Kia Approved Used warranty scheme. It offers cars up to 20 months old, with less than 20,000 miles on the clock, with a whopping seven-year, 100,000-mile warranty – the same amount that the manufacturer provides with its new cars. You also get a years’ roadside assistance, MOT test cover of up to £1,000 and five days’ drive-away insurance. Kia offers an Assured Used programme, too, featuring cars sourced by dealers that are offered with the balance of the original seven-year, 100,000-mile warranty. These come with similar benefits, such as the drive-away insurance, but advantages such as the roadside assistance are often optional.
Name of programme: Kia Approved Used / Kia Assured Used | Length of warranty: Seven years, up to 100,000 miles for cars up to 20 months old with 20,000 miles | Breakdown cover: 12 months’ roadside assistance | Inspection: Multi-point inspection and test | Additional benefits: Five days’ free drive-away insurance, Experian history checks, one years’ MOT cover up to £1,000, Kia accident aftercare
Land Rover Approved Used Warranty
If you’re looking for a Land Rover that’s less than seven years old and has covered fewer than 100,000 miles, take a look at the Land Rover Approved used car warranty. It offers cars from the brand’s entire line-up, from the Defender to the Range Rover, and each one is put through a 165-point inspection, which includes a road test. A minimum of 12 months’ warranty is included, as is a minimum of 12 months’ roadside assistance. The cars also benefit from independent history checks, while customers receive further bonuses such as a half-day off-roading experience. Plug-in hybrids also include the balance of the battery warranty, which extends to six years and 60,000 miles from new.
Name of programme: Land Rover Approved | Length of warranty: Minimum 12 months’ warranty | Breakdown cover: Minimum of 12 months’ roadside assistance | Inspection: 165-point inspection, with required works carried out using genuine parts | Additional benefits: Mileage and history check, part-exchange service, £750 MOT test warranty, 30-day/1,000-mile exchange policy, complimentary half-day Land Rover experience, seven days’ drive-away insurance
Lexus Approved Used Warranty
Each of the cars offered in the Lexus Select Approved Pre-Owned warranty scheme is subject to a 150-point check, including a hybrid system health check for hybrid models, and receives a comprehensive valet – as well as a history check. Each is then retailed with a minimum of 12 months’ warranty, as well as 12 months’ roadside assistance. Lexus and its sister brand Toyota have a real edge on the warranty front, too. Anyone with a Lexus that is less than 10 years old and with less than 100,000 miles on the clock can have their car’s warranty topped up by one year and 10,000 miles if they have it serviced at a franchised Lexus dealer once a year.
Name of programme: Lexus Select Approved Pre-owned | Length of warranty: Minimum of 12 months, unlimited mileage | Breakdown cover: 12 months’ roadside assistance | Inspection: 150-point check interior and exterior valet | Additional benefits: 30-day/1,000-mile exchange policy, full service history on each vehicle
Maserati Approved Used Warranty
The Maserati Approved warranty scheme is available on cars that are under four years old, and each one undergoes a 121-point test, which includes a road test and background checks. Vehicles are offered with an unlimited-mileage warranty of up to 24 months, and activation only takes place when the balance of the original five-year, unlimited-mileage new car warranty expires, too, so you could get up to seven years’ warranty cover from the date of first registration . Customers can also specify an optional Maserati Maintenance Programme, which offers a range of pre-paid service packages that can further help control costs.
Name of programme: Maserati Approved | Length of warranty: Up 24 months in tandem with warranty | Breakdown cover: 24 months roadside assistance | Inspection: 121-point inspection by Maserati technicians with work carried out using genuine parts; vehicles road tested before sale | Additional benefits: Vehicle history and service history check, new MOT, optional maintenance programme
Mazda Approved Used Warranty
Those in the market for a used Mazda, provided it’s done fewer than 100,000 miles, may be able to find what they’re looking for via the Mazda Approved Used Cars warranty scheme. It’s designed to offer buyers peace of mind by offering all types of Mazda, from the Mazda 2 hatchback right up to the CX-80 SUV, with a 12-month warranty – and 12 months’ roadside assistance. Cars offered through the scheme undergo a comprehensive check before sale, in which faults are rectified using original parts, and the history and mileage is independently verified. There’s also a 30-day, 1,000-mile exchange policy, so if you discover a fault then you’ve the opportunity to swap the car for something else.
Name of programme: Mazda Approved Used Cars | Length of warranty: 12 months | Breakdown cover: 12 months’ roadside assistance | Inspection: Comprehensive multi-point check, with faults rectified using genuine Mazda parts | Additional benefits: Independent mileage and history checks, Mazda accident aftercare, five-day drive-away insurance cover on application, 30-day, 1,000-mile exchange policy, £750 MOT protection
Mercedes-Benz Approved Used Warranty
The Mercedes-Benz Approved Used warranty offers an extensive range of Mercedes and Mercedes-AMG cars, each of which comes with a 12-month warranty and 12 months’ roadside assistance – although the latter is extended to 24 months for AMG models. Every vehicle goes through a comprehensive check before being offered for sale. The history is also checked, along with the mileage, before the car is sold. Other benefits are also included, such as MOT cover of up to £750. The conventional line-up of cars available spans the compact A-Class to the S-Class luxury saloon, while AMG offerings include the C-Class, the G Class, and the range-topping AMG GT Coupe.
Name of programme: Mercedes-Benz Approved Used | Length of warranty: 12 months | Breakdown cover: 12 months’ roadside assistance (AMG models 24 months) | Inspection: Multi-point check by certified technicians | Additional benefits: Independent mileage and history checks, key insurance, seven days’ complimentary car insurance, MOT test cover of up to £750 for one year
MG Approved Used Warranty
MG does have an approved used car warranty programme of a sort, but it’s less comprehensive than the industry standard. Known as MG Approved Used, second-hand cars sold via the scheme get ‘the remainder of the new car warranty’ according to the manufacturer, so there is no dedicated warranty for used models. There is also no driveway insurance and no exchange policy. However, MG does provide 12 months’ roadside cover when one of its cars is serviced at a franchised dealer, so that’s something.
Name of programme: Approved Used MG | Length of warranty: Remainder of new car warranty but no used-car specific warranty | Breakdown cover: 12 months’ roadside cover when a car is serviced at an MG retailer
MINI Approved Used Warranty
The Approved Used MINI warranty scheme requires cars to pass an extensive series of tests and checks, and any faults are repaired using original MINI parts. The cars are then offered via franchised dealers with a minimum of a 12-months unlimited-mileage warranty, 12 months’ roadside assistance and 12 months’ MOT and MOT cover. An extended MINI Insured Warranty is also offered, up to 100,000 miles, for further peace of mind. Five days’ drive-away insurance are included, along with a 30-day/1,000-mile exchange policy.
Name of programme: Approved Used MINI | Length of warranty: Minimum 12 months’ warranty, unlimited mileage | Breakdown cover: Minimum of 12 months’ roadside assistance | Inspection: 120-point check; faults repaired using genuine MINI parts | Additional benefits: Minimum 12 months’ MOT and MOT cover, full service history, independent history and mileage checks, five days’ driveway insurance, 30-day/1,000-mile exchange policy
Nissan Approved Used Warranty
The Nissan Intelligent Choice is an approved used car warranty scheme comprises a history check for the car, followed by a 100-point inspection and a road test by Nissan technicians. The cars are then offered for sale with a minimum of 12 months’ warranty, which can be extended by one or years. If the car is older than two years at the time of sale, Nissan will also cover the cost of any repairs should the car not pass its subsequent MOT. The manufacturer also offers a 30-day/1,000-mile exchange policy if a fault develops, along with up to five days’ drive-away insurance.
Name of programme: Nissan Intelligent Choice | Length of warranty: Minimum 12 months; warranty can be extended by one or two years | Breakdown cover: 12 months’ roadside assistance | Inspection: 100 points | Additional benefits: MOT cover up to £750, 30-day/1,000-mile exchange policy, up to five days’ driveway insurance
Peugeot Approved Used Warranty
Like many of the Stellantis brands, Peugeot has the group’s Spoticar approved used car warranty. As with the others, this scheme offers a warranty of at least 12 months and a year’s roadside assistance. There’s also a 30-day/1,000-mile exchange promise, which means you can exchange it for a similarly priced car within that time and mileage limit. Every car goes through a pre-sale inspection that includes any due servicing, a full valet, a test drive and recall checks.
Name of programme: Spoticar | Length of warranty: Minimum 12 months’ warranty | Breakdown cover: 12 months roadside assistance | Inspection: Pre-sale check by franchised dealer | Additional benefits: 30-day, 1,000-mile exchange promise, seven-day drive-away insurance
Porsche Approved Used Warranty
Porsche actually has one of the most of the most generous approved used car warranty schemes. Known as Approved Pre-Owned Cars, it covers cars up to 15 years old and includes a 24-month warranty and 24 months’ roadside assistance as standard – that’s generous for any manufacturer, especially a premium one known for its conservative attitude to optional extras. Every car offered is subject to a 111-point check by Porsche technicians, and rectification work is carried out using official Porsche parts. A new MOT is included if the car is more than three years old.
Name of programme: Approved Pre-Owned Cars | Length of warranty: 24 months | Breakdown cover: 24 months’ roadside assistance | Inspection: 111-point check by Porsche technicians, with rectification works carried out using genuine parts | Additional benefits: MOT where applicable, full valet and quality inspection
Renault Approved Used Warranty
Renault was a latecomer to the approved used car warranty scene, but its Approved Used Renault programme brought it into line with its contemporaries. A minimum 12-month warranty and 12 months’ breakdown assistance. Each car is put through a comprehensive series of checks, including a history check, and a 30-day exchange policy is also included, along with five days’ drive-away insurance.
Name of programme: Approved Used Renault | Length of warranty: Minimum 12 months | Breakdown cover: 12 months’ breakdown cover | Inspection: Mechanical and safety inspection | Additional benefits: 30-day exchange policy, accident support line, history check, five days’ drive-away insurance
Seat Approved Used Warranty
Seat’s approved used car offering is identical to that of sister brand Cupra, which is no surprise really given the two companys share some of their model ranges and are usually found for sale in the same showrooms. It’s one of the most generous approved used car warranty schemes of the mainstream manufacturers, because it includes a 24-month warranty and 24 months’ roadside assistance – double the industry standard, and joint best with Volkswagen within the VW Group brands. Dubbed Seat Approved, it also includes five days’ drive-away insurance and 12 months’ MOT cover – which accounts for up to £750-worth of MOT-related costs, and a 30-day exchange agreement.
Name of programme: Seat Approved | Length of warranty: 24 months | Breakdown cover: 24 months’ roadside assistance | Inspection: Multi-point check by Seat technicians | Additional benefits: Five-day drive-away insurance, full history check, 30-day exchange policy, 12 months’ MOT cover up to £750
Skoda Approved Used Warranty
Skoda’s Plus Approved Used warranty programme comprises a comprehensive check with 12 months’ warranty and 12 months’ breakdown cover, as well as benefits such as five days’ drive-away insurance cover. Skoda will also service the car if there are less than six months until its next scheduled maintenance is due. Along with the usual battery of history and security checks – it claims to inspect more than 100 points on the car – Skoda also offers a 30-day/1,000-mile exchange policy. There are a couple of nice extra perks, too; firstly the supplying dealer will cover the cost of the car’s next MOT, and electric cars will come with a certificate of their battery’s state of health.
Name of programme: Skoda Plus | Length of warranty: 12 months | Breakdown cover: 12 months’ roadside assistance | Inspection: Over 100 points checked | Additional benefits: Next MOT free at supplying dealer, £750 MOT cost covers within warranty, vehicle history check and 30-day/1,000-mile exchange plan, five days’ drive-away insurance
Subaru Approved Used Warranty
The Subaru Proven approved used car warranty programme offers a range of used Subarus that have passed a comprehensive pre-sales inspection, including a road test, and the body is refinished to what Subaru describes as “exacting standards”. Each one comes with a minimum 12-month warranty, as well as 12 months’ roadside assistance. Independent history and mileage checks are carried out and a 30-day, 1,000-mile exchange policy is also included. The scheme applies to cars up to 10 years old with no more than 80,000 miles on the clock.
Name of programme: Subaru Proven | Length of warranty: Minimum 12 months | Breakdown cover: 12 months’ roadside assistance | Inspection: Mechanical check | Additional benefits: 30-day/1,000-mile exchange policy, full provenance and mileage check, body refinished
Suzuki Approved Used Warranty
A host of second-hand Suzukis up to to eight years old and have covered less than 70,000 miles are offered with what the company dubs its Approved Used Car Promise. Every car offered through the scheme receives a minimum 12-month warranty and 12 months’ roadside cover. The vehicle also undergoes a comprehensive inspection, including checks on the powertrain, electrics and general condition. Genuine Suzuki parts are also used to correct any issues. Both the mileage and history of each car is checked, and a full valet is also covered out. Worth noting is Suzuki’s Service Activated Warranty, which kicks in after the initial new car warranty and covers vehicles up to seven years/100,000 miles, providing they are serviced on schedule at a franchised retailer.
Name of programme: Suzuki Approved Used Car Promise | Length of warranty: Minimum 12 months’ warranty | Breakdown cover: Minimum 12 months’ roadside assistance | Inspection: Multi-point check by Suzuki technicians; repairs using genuine parts | Additional benefits: Vehicle history and mileage check, MOT test cover
Smart Approved Used Warranty
Used Smarts sold through dealers are covered by parent brand Mercedes-Benz’s Approved Used warranty. Per that scheme, therefore, every Smart gets a 12-month warranty, and gets a thorough check in the workshops before being offered for sale. History and mileage checks are also carried out. Other benefits include MOT cover of up to £750, and seven days’ complimentary drive-away insurance.
Name of programme: Mercedes-Benz Approved Used | Length of warranty: 12 months | Breakdown cover: 12 months’ roadside assistance | Inspection: Multi-point check by certified technicians | Additional benefits: Independent mileage and history checks, key insurance, seven days’ complimentary car insurance, MOT test cover of up to £750 for one year
Tesla Approved Used Warranty
Tesla sells cars directly and does not operate a traditional franchised retail model, so you won’t find approved used warranty schemes offered via dealers as you would with other manufacturers. Under its Certified Pre-Owned scheme, however, it does refurbish its used cars before reselling them, and conducts inspections of the battery and drive unit, the suspension, the brakes, the electrical system, and the interior and exterior. It also offers a year’s warranty with used cars older than four years and with more than 50,000 miles on the clock. That’s limited to 10,000 miles and you get the equivalent amount of roadside cover.
Name of programme: Tesla Certified Pre-Owned | Length of warranty: 12 months, 10,000 miles | Breakdown cover: One year’s roadside assistance alongside the warranty | Inspection: Checks as detailed above | Additional benefits: n/a
Toyota Approved Used Warranty
The Toyota Approved Used scheme is pretty much industry-standard. Used car buyers get a minimum 12-month warranty, 12 months’ roadside cover, three days’ driveway insurance and a 30-day/1,000-mile exchange agreement. Each car is also given a thorough inspection and brought up to scratch before it’s offered to customers. However, the big news here is the ability to extend the warranty. As with its sister brand Lexus, anyone with a Toyota that is less than 10 years old that has less than 100,000 miles on the clock can have their car’s warranty topped up by one year and 10,000 miles if they have it serviced at a franchised Toyota dealer once a year.
Name of programme: Toyota Approved Used | Length of warranty: Minimum 12 months’ warranty; can be extended by one year/10,000 miles with annual service at Toyota franchise | Breakdown cover: 12 months’ roadside assistance | Inspection: Technical check, vehicles fully refurbished | Additional benefits: 30-day/1,000-mile exchange scheme, vehicle history and mileage check, MOT cover for the duration of the warranty
Vauxhall Approved Used Warranty
Vauxhall pioneered the approved used car warranty format, when it launched the Network Q scheme in 1990. However, as with most of the Stellantis brands, Vauxhall now has the group’s Spoticar approved used car warranty. This scheme offers a warranty of at least 12 months and a year’s roadside assistance. There’s also a 30-day/1,000-mile exchange promise, which means you can exchange it for a similarly priced car within that time and mileage limit. Every car goes through a pre-sale inspection that includes any due servicing, a full valet, a test drive and recall checks.
Name of programme: Spoticar | Length of warranty: Minimum 12 months’ warranty | Breakdown cover: 12 months roadside assistance | Inspection: Pre-sale check by franchised dealer | Additional benefits: 30-day, 1,000-mile exchange promise, seven-day drive-away insurance
Volkswagen Approved Used Warranty
Volkswagen’s Approved Used scheme is one of the most generous among the mainstream brands and, alongside Seat and Cupra, it’s the joint best within the VW Group. The 24-month warranty is matched by the same amount of roadside assistance; both are double the industry standard. History checks are also included, along with five days’ driveaway insurance, and the usual 30-day/1,000-mile exchange plan.
Name of programme: Volkswagen Approved Used | Length of warranty: 12 months, unlimited mileage | Breakdown cover: 12 months’ roadside assistance | Inspection: 142-point check by Volkswagen technicians, repairs carried out using genuine VW parts | Additional benefits: 30-day, 1000-mile no-quibble exchange policy, 12 months’ MOT cover service history and vehicle identity checks, independent mileage and history checks, five days’ drive-away insurance for free
Volvo Approved Used Warranty
The Volvo Selekt used car warranty scheme offers a range of used Volvos, each of which is carefully prepared and comes with a minimum 12-month warranty. Volvo starts by selecting the best used examples around, and then puts them through a check that assesses more than 150 areas of the vehicle. Any required repairs are then carried out, using genuine Volvo parts. Customers also get 12 months’ roadside assistance, MOT test cover and a 30-day/1,500-mile (500 miles more than most) satisfaction guarantee. The maximum age and mileage of vehicles offered through the scheme is 10 years and 100,000 miles.
Name of programme: Volvo Selekt | Length of warranty: Minimum 12 months | Breakdown cover: Minimum 12 months | Inspection: 150+ points, genuine Volvo parts used for repairs | Additional benefits: 30-day/1,500-mile guarantee, cover for one MOT test up to £750