question about non CPO used BMW's at the dealer
 

Can someone tell me what exactly is entailed when a BMW offers a car that is CPO. I noticed a few good deals on used BMW's at a few dealers but they are not CPO. Why would people buy a non CPO car from BMW? Do cars they think will not pass they just offer for sale at a reduced price? I would think they would CPO ever used BMW that was 4 years old or newer.

They may have had damage or cost to much to recondition to CPO standards. They have to have tires with certain depth (and OEM brand), brakes of a certain thickness etc. Sometimes it c osts to much to bring up to CPO standards.

So would it be safe to assume that the majority of the used BMW's on the lot that are not CPO are for a reason? I assume they will tell you that it costs money to the dealer to certify the cars and to remain competitive they do offer a number of them that are not. Sounds like a bunch of BS to me as if for example someone was to trade in a 3 yr old BMW in perfect shape that they would want to CPO it knowing they don't have to do anything to it?

Not necessarily. If you see one you like that isn't CPO, ask them if it could be.

It costs money to do a CPO. Not a lot, but some. Part of it is for the inspections and repairs, part of it is for the registration cost in the CPO program, which covers the warranty expense. Not every buyer wants to pay more for a CPO. So, if the dealer has a few already CPO'd, then he may be less likely to CPO an additional one, he could leave it non-CPO until his CPO stock is reduced.

The dealer has a CPO checklist to follow. If the car fails for a specific reason, it fails. If it hasn't had major accident damage though, they can generally CPO it. Some things that would make it less likely to be CPO'd are non-OE wheels; worn tires; non-OE brake pads, rotors, headlights, or taillights; lack of maintenance records, etc.

This is a checklist dated 2006, there may be a more recent one available:

http://www.cars.com/go/advice/shoppi...inspection.pdf

Here is a guide that gives an overview of the inspection program:

http://www.bmwmotorsports.org/pdf/mi...guidelines.pdf

I really want a CPO car due to the warranty. Am very hesitant to buy one without one as last thing I want to be doing while making a $600 a month car payment is having to deal with repairs and such. Most of the CPO cars are more than I would like to spend as I am trying to stick to no more than 34K.

buy a cpo for peace of mind.

Cars with more than 49,999 miles can not be CPO'd.

I will but a CPO car but they are a bit over what I want to spend right now. Can't find anything for $35K that have the options I want. I did find a private seller that was letting a 2008 with just 19K miles go for $32K which I would of bought but those deals dont come around too often.