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One aspect of the vehicle certification process is an inspection list, which is set forth by the manufacturer. You should ask for a copy of this inspection checklist for the vehicle you’re interested in. The programs that meet our guidelines based on the standardized list below will be indicated by a 100% Inspection Score on the program details page for each brand.

IntelliChoice Vehicle Inspection List Standards

VIN Inspection

• VIN matches other VINs on vehicle and paperwork/proper attachment (original/no alterations)
• Vehicle has required state decals (emissions, inspection, etc.)
• Service bulletins and recall updates performed on vehicle
• Check vehicle for trouble codes
• Oil change/scheduled maintenance performed

• Starting cold/hot
• Engine idle quality
• Engine performance/smooth acceleration
• Engine noise (cold/hot and high/low speeds)
• Automatic transmission/transaxle noise (cold/hot)
• Automatic transmission shift points/slippage (operational/smooth/proper shift points/check at all shift points)
• Shift interlock (operation)
• Drive axle and transfer case bearings or gear noise/vibration (adjust or replace)
• Transfer case (proper switch between 2WD and 4WD)
• Clutch operation (smooth engagement/slippage/chatter)
• Steering/rack and pinion/steering linkage performance (steering wheel free play/center steering/response/smoothness)
• Brakes/ABS (effectiveness/operation/noise/no pulling or pulsating)
• Note: ABS may pulsate under hard application, which indicates proper operation.
• Cruise control operation (including resume)
• Gauge/speedometer/tachometer/odometer (operation)
• Body/suspension (performance/noise/rough road test)

• Frame inspection (check for repairs, damage, abnormal tire wear, inability to obtain proper alignment specifications)
• Note: Overall vehicle inspection should take place at this point for rust and damage due to natural disaster. Look under carpet in trunk, interior and under dash for flood damage.
• Body panels (check for damage, dings, dents, alignment, mismatched paint and overall paint condition)
• Bumpers/fascia (check for damage, alignment and improper repairs)
• Note: Slightly mismatched paint is fairly common on some vehicles with plastic bumpers.
• Doors/hood/trunk/tailgate (check release mechanisms manual/automatic, hinges, alignment and proper attaching devices)
• Note: Bolts and overspray are indications of damage repairs.
• Grille/trim/molding/roof rack (check for bends, dings, parts missing and proper attachment)

• Windshield (damaged, pitted, repaired, wiper marks, cracked)
• Side/rear windows (damaged, pitted, repaired, cracked)
• Mirrors (condition of mirror, hinge, operation)
• Wipers (condition of mechanism/blade)
• Wipers (operation/speeds/delay)
• Washer (fluid level/spray pattern)

• Head lights, high/low beams (alignment/lens condition/operation)
• Tail lights (lens condition/operation)
• Brake lights/high mount brake light (lens condition/operation)
• Parking lights (lens condition/operation)
• Hazard lights (lens condition/operation)
• Reverse lights (lens condition/operation)
• Turn signal/side marker lights (lens condition/operation)
• License plate lights (lens condition/operation)
• Fog/driving lights (lens condition/operation)

• Seat belts (condition/operation)
• Air bag (exterior condition/intact/no codes/dash light operation)
• Note: When inspecting the air bag system, look carefully at the steering wheel for abnormal wear (could indicate vehicle has been repaired and a used steering wheel and air bag have been installed).

• Radio, satellite radio, cassette, CD, speakers (condition/operation)
• Antenna (condition/operation)
• Navigation system (operation)
• Alarm/theft deterrent system (condition/operation)

• Air conditioning system/climate control system (condition/operation/charge via sight glass)
• Air cabin filter (condition/change per maintenance schedule)
• Heating system/climate control system (condition/operation)
• Defogger/defroster (operation)

• Clock (condition/operation)
• Horn (condition/operation)
• Lighter/power outlet(s) (condition/operation)
• Ashtray (condition/operation)
• Glove box/glove box light/center armrest/console (condition/operation)
• Tilt/telescopic steering wheel (operation)
• Steering wheel lock (operation)
• Mirrors/rear view (condition/operation/memory function)
• Instrument panel/lights & warning lights (condition/operation/bulb check)
• Warning chimes (operation)
• Interior courtesy/dome/map lights (operation)
• Fuel filler door release (operation)
• Interior door handles (operation)

• Carpet (condition/appearance)
• Floor mats (condition/appearance)
• Door trim/panels (condition/appearance/attachment)
• Headliner (condition/appearance)
• Sun visors (condition/appearance/vanity mirror & light)

• Luggage compartment mat/trim/carpet/cargo net (condition)
• Luggage compartment light (operation)
• Jack/tools (condition)

• Seat upholstery (condition/worn/ripped/cracked/faded)
• Seat/headrest adjustments (manual/automatic/memory operation)
• Heated seat (operation)

• Sunroof/moonroof (condition/operation)
• Convertible top (condition/operation/rear window & zipper operation)
• Convertible top boot (condition)

• Door locks/controls (manual/automatic operation)
• Child safety locks (operation)
• Windows/controls (manual/automatic operation, locks)

• Fluid leakages (record where and what is leaking)
• Oil in air cleaner (can indicate excessive blow-by or faulty PCV system)
• Water in oil (check underside of oil filler cap)
• Inspect timing belt (condition/change per maintenance schedule)
• Fluids (condition/levels)
• Belts (condition)
• Hoses (condition)
• Wiring (condition)
• Engine mounts (condition)

• Hoses (condition)
• Coolant (condition/level/leaks/freeze point/voltage/corrosion)
• Radiator (condition/pressure check/tube/fins)
• Cooling fan/fan clutch/fan motor (condition/operation/auxiliary fan operation)
• Water pump (noise/leaks)
• Pressure test cap/system
• Recovery tank (condition/fluid level/sensor operation)
• Belts (condition/cracks/glazed/frayed/proper adjustment)

• Fuel pump noise/external fuel pump leakage
• Fuel lines/hoses/pressure (leaks/record reading)
• Fuel filter (condition/replace per maintenance schedule)
• Air filter (condition/replace per maintenance schedule)

• Starter operation (record starter draw/amperage)
• Alternator/charging (record regulated voltage/maximum amperage output)
• Ignition system (operation/scope)
• Battery (condition/fluid/level/load test/record readings)
• Check pre-glow system (diesel)

• Entire exhaust system (condition/leaks/damage/noise)
• Catalytic converter and shielding
• Perform emission control tests and record readings

• Transmission system (condition)
• Automatic transmission/transaxle fluids (condition/level/leaks/fill or change oil and filters)
• Manual transmission/drive axle/transfer case fluids (condition/level/leaks/fill or change oil)
• Transmission mounts (condition/cracked/oil-soaked/broken/replace worn mounts)
• Universal joints/CV joints/boots (condition)
• Differential/drive axles (condition/leaks/damage)
• Clutch (adjustment/fluid level)

• Inverter coolant (check level and condition)
• Hybrid battery (inspect air intake)
• Hybrid electronics control unit (run diagnostic)
• Auxiliary battery (perform charge test)
• Multi-information display (operation)
• Perform diagnostic scan (check for codes and software updates)

• Correct size
• Tread depth (3 readings per tire)
• Condition/abnormal wear (sidewalls/alignment problems)
• Pressure (record reading for each tire)
• All tires match
• Spare tire (condition/inspected same as other tires)
• Wheel (condition/runout/curb damage/finish)

• Fluid (condition/level/leaks/top off as necessary)
• Rack and pinion/steering linkage (condition/leaks/boots)
• Power steering pump and hoses (leaks/noise/operation)
• Suspension system/control arms/ball joints/bushings (condition)
• Tie rods and idler arm (operational to factory specifications)
• Sway bars/links/bushings (operational to factory specifications)
• Springs (vehicle ride height/check for spring sag)
• Struts/shocks (leakage/bounce test)

• Calipers/cylinders (operation/condition/leaks)
• Brake fluid (level/condition/top off as necessary)
• Pads/shoes (condition/wear/percent remaining/replace linings if necessary)
• Rotors/drums (condition/wear/resurface or replace as required/measure and record readings)
• Brake system lines/hydraulics/hoses/fittings (condition/wear/leaks)
• Parking brake (operation/adjustment/condition)
• Master cylinder and booster (operational/leaks)

Used or new, buying a vehicle is a big investment. Follow these important Certified Pre‐owned Vehicle Purchasing Tips as you begin your research.

All manufacturers’ certified pre‐owned vehicles must pass a certification inspection. If you are interested in a CPO vehicle, ask the dealer to give you a copy of the inspection list. The list will indicate exactly what has been inspected and should list any repair or maintenance work that was required to bring the vehicle up to certified standards.

Note the mileage and find out the remaining warranty for the vehicle. Depending on the program, you may receive no additional benefits beyond the new-car warranty, or you may receive up to 36 months/50,000 miles of additional certified warranty. Read the certified warranty information carefully to know what additional coverage (beyond any remaining new-car warranty) you will receive with the vehicle and if there is a deductible. Review our program overview to get an idea of what coverage exists based on typical mileage; this will vary based on the exact mileage on the vehicle you’re considering.

Intellichoice recommends 12 SUV / Crossover vehicles that have a better value purchased as a used vehicle versus new.

How can I get the best deal on a vehicle? There are many ways to ensure you get a good deal and various factors to be considered before one can answer. We took one approach by analyzing the various factors and have identified vehicles that are better off purchased as a used car versus new. IntelliChoice's used car ownership costs cover the latest three used model years (the most likely years offered as certified under manufacturer pre-owned vehicle programs); however, they are still based on a five-year projection of what a vehicle will cost to own and operate during that time. A vehicle in the most recent used year is assumed to already have 14,000 miles, and so on. Notably, most used vehicles have already taken the heaviest hit on depreciation costs, so many one- to three-year-old models will see that cost level off, while the areas of maintenance and repairs will rise as the vehicle ages. Bottom line, let someone else take the hit on depreciation costs.

A Brief History

Certified Pre-Owned programs were created back in the 1990s to help dealerships sell used vehicles coming back from leases. Most of the early CPO programs were from premium brands such as Mercedes-Benz and BMW. However, by the end of the '90s most manufacturers offered a CPO program, though some were more developed than others.

IntelliChoice handed out the first CPO Award in 2000 and the winner for the best premium program was a tie between Lexus and Jaguar, while the popular winner was Honda. Over the last twelve years of awards IntelliChoice has crowned three different popular winners (Honda, Volkswagen, and MINI) and five different premium winners (Cadillac, Jaguar, Lexus, Lincoln and Volvo).

For the auto industry, 2012 was significantly better than 2011, which itself was a bounce back from 2010, which in turn saw carmakers pick themselves up off the floor, after having been KO’d in 2009. See a pattern here? The recovery continues, and in fact, is gaining steam.

Huge news, Dear Readers! As a bookend to the six guys we hired in the first half of 2011, whose average age was 22.2 years, we are welcoming two seasoned pros whose combined age doesn't quite equal that of all six boyos. But almost.

It sounds like a case of deja vu: Audi is introducing the 2013 SQ5 at the Detroit auto show, less than a year after the automaker revealed the SQ5 TDI at Le Mans. Yet the final three letters explain the distinction between these two versions of Audi's performance crossover. Whereas the original SQ5 TDI uses a diesel engine and is sold only in Europe, the new SQ5 has a gasoline powerplant and will be marketed in North America, Asia, and South America.