Is the BMW CPO Warranty Transferable? (Coverage + More)

Do you know if the BMW Certified or CPO warranty is transferable? Well, you are at the perfect place to find the answer to such a question.

BMW’s CPO warranty is a Certified Pre-Owned Warranty that BMW applies to very specific used vehicles after they have undergone an extensive inspection process.

While it’s not the best CPO warranty in the world, it’s more extensive than most.

The best part is, that BMW CPO warranties are transferable to private buyers, so long as the appropriate paperwork is filled out. However, there is a caveat for $200 that has to be paid for the warranty transfer application process to proceed.

It’s not just the CPO warranty that transfer capabilities apply to either. You can transfer any warranty that comes with the brand new purchase of a BMW vehicle.

However, third-party warranties are a little different, as third parties are unaffiliated with BMW.

Table of Contents

What Classifies a BMW as a CPO Vehicle?

Before a BMW can be listed as a CPO warrantied vehicle, it has to meet a few criteria.

It has to have more than 300 miles and fewer than 60,000 miles on the odometer
All of its parts have to be BMW original parts
It has to have an up-to-date maintenance history

If the original BMW owner had some parts replaced that were not original BMW parts, the BMW will never become a part of the CPO program, regardless of how new the vehicle is when it is sold or traded in at a BMW dealership.

BMW does a pretty thorough check of the vehicle’s history to ensure that all of the repair records reflect that the parts are original BMW parts and not generic or from another auto manufacturer with a universal part.

After everything is tested out, the BMW will go through what BMW calls a 360° inspection. This will determine if there are non-original parts as well, as something like that can slip through the cracks pretty easily unless visually inspected.

Anything that is looking a little worse for the wear is completely overhauled and the vehicle is inspected for safety features, performance, the amount of wear and tear on the vehicle, along with smaller details that you probably wouldn’t think of normally.

What Does the CPO Warranty Include?

There are several aspects of the BMW CPO warranty, some of which are listed right out front and in your face when you purchase the vehicle, and others, which are not always thrown out there or made obvious in any way.

Comprehensive Coverage for one year with unlimited miles
The Comprehensive Coverage begins after the expiration of the original, 4-year and 50,000-mile warranty
Roadside Assistance
BMW Assist
Loaner Vehicles

If anything that is BMW’s fault or, due to a defect in the workmanship of the car, your BMW vehicle is automatically covered under their Comprehensive Coverage or the original warranty since the remainder of the original warranty will be yours after the previous owner sells.

Roadside Assistance includes vehicle towing and BMW will even provide you with a loaner car until the repairs have been made to your current vehicle.

BMW Assist is available on late model BMWs and it will provide you with instant communication with BMW via their built-in BMW Assist eCall feature. This is the teleservice you will use in the event of a vehicle failure or a collision.

BMW also offers you the additional benefit of purchasing an extended warranty plan before the expiration of your CPO warranty.

What Does the BMW Certified Pre-Owned Warranty Cover?

CPO warranties start with BMWs that have more than 300 miles on them but less than 60,000, which is a pretty broad window. If the BMW falls inside of that mileage, licensed technicians at a BMW dealership of location will put the vehicle through a hardcore inspection process.

Once the inspection is concluded and nothing out of the ordinary was found, the vehicle will then, most likely, be approved for the CPO warranty program. There are a number of benefits that a used BMW shopper gets with a CPO warranty.

6 years of 24/7 roadside assistance
Powertrain coverage for the remainder of the original, 4-year, 50,000-mile warranty
1-year of CPO extended warranty at the expiration of the original warranty
Free vehicle history report
No cost scheduled maintenance
Corrosion warranty for 12 years and unlimited mileage
High-voltage lithium battery warranty for 8 years or 80,000 miles

The extra year of extended warranty is the kicker and it’s what makes the CPO warranty so attractive, to begin with. It’s not often that you get any kind of warranty with a new car, much less an extension on the remaining warranty.

Transfer Exceptions

According to Rallye BMW, CPO warranties are transferable without exceptions, so long as you are driving a BMW purchased in Syosset, New York. Of course, not everyone on the planet that wants a BMW can live in New York, so it’s everything to do with luck of the draw.

Outside of that, BMW CPO transfers can take place as a normal warranty transfer, so long as it is between you and your family. For instance, if your daughter is old enough to drive and you want to give her your BMW (assuming it has enough CPO coverage remaining on it to make it worthwhile), you can do so.

You will find the BMW Certified Pre-Owned Limited Warranty Transfer Application here. The application isn’t too difficult to go through but you will need to write down a few things for reference as you go through it.

The current odometer reading on your BMW
Private sale transaction date
Your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
Notary information and signature
Buyer and seller information (addresses, phone numbers, emails)
$200 for the transfer fee
Bill of sale and documentation acknowledging transfer of ownership

As is typical with transfers of ownership that include a transfer or warranty, prepare yourself to wait for quite a long time, at least up to a month for the approval to return.

For some odd reason that no one is willing to explain, these things are conducted almost entirely by mail. Once you mail everything off, you will have to wait the 5 or 7 business days for it to arrive, 2 or 3 additional business days for it to be processed, and another 5 to 7 days for approval.

When you mail it off, be sure to sign up for the certified mail service. That way, no one can claim that it was lost in the mail or not received at all. These things typically happen for some reason or another and a transfer of ownership and warranty is more than enough to play cautiously.

You can expedite the process by also purchasing expedited mail delivery with your certified mail, so at least you don’t have to wait too long for your part of the deal. Be sure to put down all of the relevant info and be absolutely, precisely accurate.

It takes long enough for the process to unfold without having to do it all over again because you mixed up one digit on the VIN.

What is Not Covered in the CPO Warranty

There are a few things that are not covered under the CPO warranty that are worth mentioning. It’s nothing that you would find outside of a normal warranty’s exceptions, so there’s nothing to worry about.

The suspension system and suspension related components are not included
Interior noises
Not an extension of the factory warranty
Does not cover standard maintenance procedures, such as oil changes
Does not cover damage that results in rust or corrosion
Does not cover damage from neglect, or misuse
Does not cover the upkeep of standard maintenance items

How to Transfer Your BMW CPO Warranty

Transferring the warranty is pretty simple. The first thing that you need to do is download the application form.

You can find the link for it here. All you do is click on the link from BMW’s website and choose where you want to save the file.

Fill out the paperwork with all of the pertinent information. Then you will need to get it notarized, which you can do at most banks or credit unions.

Once the form is filled out, you will have to mail it to BMW with the applicable fee, which is $200.

Be sure to send it via certified mail so that you will know when it is received and who signed for it. Then you will have to wait.

The entire process is usually complete within a month. Once the warranty is transferred, you and the new owner of the BMW are all set.

Does Anything Void a CPO Warranty on a BWM Vehicle?

If you get any of the parts replaced, either as a repair job or as a modification of the original parts, the warranty will automatically be voided.

You have to be really careful when it comes to repairs and the best way to handle any repairs or modifications is to take the vehicle to a BMW dealership or a certified BMW mechanic.

Any misuse or gross neglect on your part will likely void the warranty as well. For instance, if you were to get into an accident and you were speeding, after insurance covered the repairs, you would likely have difficulty getting anything covered under the warranty after that.

The point is, to keep it professionally maintained and only use BMW to do all of the repair work and maintenance work on your BMW until the warranty is completely expired.

Final Thoughts

BMW CPO warranties are certainly transferable, so long as you fill out the proper paperwork and pay the $200 fee for the transfer application.

Everything after that is generally a waiting game until the application is processed and approved.

References

https://www.bmwofturnersville.com/service/service-tips/bmw-certified-pre-owned-warranty/