I'm interested in a 2010 MINI Clubman S with just under 28K miles being sold by a local MINI dealership. They sold the car originally in 12/09 and the car has only had 1 owner.

They told me the car isn't a MINI CPO because it doesn't meet the criteria as it is too old and has too many miles. From what I read on their web site and the MINIUSA web site the car needs to be less than 5 years old and have less than 60K miles. To me the car should be a MINI CPO.

Has anyone seen this before? I sent an email to MINIUSA earlier today and will be interested to see their response. I've also pushed back on the dealership, pointing out what their website says, but haven't heard back.

 

Not sure but I think you are right, but just because it meets the criteria, the Dealership has to certify the car with a detailed inspection. I know for other car dealers, the dealers usually add the cost of certification to the price of the car. So it will there were two exact cars on the lot the one with the certification would cost you more.

If you find out that the car does fit the criteria, ask them how much to certify the car.

 

Within the MINI framework of appropriate age and mileage, it is up to a dealer's discretion whether or not to certify a car. The dealer absorbs the cost of the inspection, replacing worn parts, cosmetic internal/external refurbishing, and any more significant repairs etc. Depending on the demand, number of certified cars in inventory, etc. it may not make financial sense to add to their certified car inventory.

I've never tried to ask a dealer to consider certifying a car, but I guess it doesn't hurt to try. As noted, it will definitely add to the price of the car bu could be worth it for the added warranty and peace-of-mind.

 

My first two MINIs were bought new. My Countryman was bought used. It's a "brass hat" car, which was driven by a MINI executive, so I am the first titled owner of it. When I bought it, it was a year old and had 13,500 miles on it. I also inquired about MINI CPO, and was told that it was not considered a CPO vehicle. The individual dealers do have the ability to make judgments about which vehicles become CPO and which do not. My brother just bought a 2013 Countryman from another dealer, and it had 175 miles on it. It was considered a "special demo" car, and also was not CPO.

 

Working for car dealerships in the Finance department for 5 years has given me some insight on this. Car dealership will certify any car they choose as long as it falls into the requirements for the specific manufacturer. So they probably ran the clubman S through the shop for what we call a PDI (pre delivery inspection). Then they probably realized that the car either needed too much work to become certified and would be priced out of the market of other certified clubman s models. Meaning it needed new tires, brakes, standard service requirements, or all of the above. Or they already have too many certified clubman S on the lot and they will use this particular car as a price point to bring in people for a less expensive option of mini ownership. Then they will just try to sell you an extended warranty in finance. So they could certify the car but it would be roughly $750 for certification fee plus any parts and labor needed to bring the car to mini spec. usually our certified cars need roughly 2000 dollars worth of work to bring them up to date and ready for the lot. hope this helps you. You can always ask what it would cost to certify the car, or just pick out one that already has the cost worked up in it.

 

It costs the dealer money to certify it as a MINI next car. The dealer wants that money in their pocket. I would not buy a used R55 S without that warranty.

The info on MINI next is here....

http://www.miniusa.com/content/miniu...-preowned.html

 

you also could use it as a negotiating point. Depending on how much profit they have left in the deal (something you may never know), you may be able to say "You know, I would take that deal on that car if only it were certified". Leave it up to them. Maybe they counter and meet you in the middle. Maybe they don't budge. Maybe they do it to sell the car. You never know till you ask.
good luck.