Toyota CPO Warranty: What’s Covered?
The Toyota certified pre-owned warranty includes powertrain and roadside assistance coverage, though select vehicles come with additional coverage.
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Motor1 Reviews Team Take:
- Toyota Certified Used Vehicles are classified as Gold or Silver, and each program has unique qualification standards and built-in warranty coverage.
- Only Gold Certified Toyota used vehicles carry a limited comprehensive warranty, while both Gold and Silver Certified used Toyotas come with powertrain and roadside assistance coverages.
- Coverage terms for used Toyotas are limited, making an extended car warranty a sound investment.
The Toyota Certified Used Vehicle (TCUV) program is a good option for drivers looking to save on the price of their next car. These vehicles are extensively tested before getting listed for sale and are backed by tailored Toyota Certified Used Vehicle warranty plans that guarantee they’ll run reliably for your first few years of ownership.
This article explains the Toyota warranty coverage included with CPO Toyotas as well as the TCUV certification process. We’ll also discuss Toyota’s overall reliability to help you decide if extended auto warranty coverage is a good investment and give our recommendations for the best independent warranty providers.
Toyota CPO Warranty Overview
Toyota’s CPO program classifies certified vehicles into two categories—Gold and Silver. Gold Certified vehicles go through a more strict certification process and carry different warranty coverage than Toyota Silver Certified vehicles.
Toyota Gold Certified Warranty Coverage
Toyota requires its Gold Certified used vehicles to pass a thorough 160-point quality assurance inspection. These vehicles must be less than six model years old and have fewer than 85,000 miles on the odometer.
Toyota offers the following coverage with every Gold Certified used vehicle purchase:
| Toyota Coverage | Terms |
|---|---|
| Limited Comprehensive Warranty | 12 months/12,000 miles |
| Limited Powertrain Warranty | 7 years/100,000 total vehicle miles |
| 24-Hour Roadside Assistance | 7 years/100,000 total vehicle miles |
The Toyota Certified Used Vehicle Gold Limited Warranty offers bumper-to-bumper coverage for all manufacturer original equipment and parts installed by the manufacturer or selling dealership.
Coverage is effective from the date of vehicle purchase. Toyota’s Gold Certified limited warranty has a $0 deductible for covered parts and services. Only the limited powertrain and roadside assistance coverages transfer to subsequent owners at no cost.
Toyota Silver Certified Warranty Coverage
While Toyota Silver Certified Used Vehicles go through a separate certification process and carry different warranty coverage, these vehicles are still backed by Toyota and carry less risk than a private sale used vehicle.
Silver Certified Toyota used vehicles go through a 136-point quality assurance inspection and must be less than 10 model years old with between 60,000 and 125,000 miles.
TCUV warranty coverage for a Silver Certified Toyota includes:
| Toyota Coverage | Terms |
|---|---|
| Limited Powertrain Warranty | 12 months/12,000 miles |
| 24-Hour Roadside Assistance | 12 months/12,000 miles |
Note that Silver Certified Toyota vehicles don’t come with the same limited comprehensive warranty coverage as Gold Certified vehicles. Also, while the limited powertrain warranty and roadside assistance coverage are similar to the Gold Certified coverages, the terms are much shorter. Coverage lasts just one year or 12,000 miles for both coverage types.
Powertrain coverages for both Gold and Silver Certified programs handle parts and repairs for many engine components, automatic or manual transmission components, alternative fuel systems, and axle assembly components. Roadside assistance services include limited fuel delivery, lockout assistance, flat tire service, jump-starts, and towing.
Hybrid vehicles model years 2020 and newer are also protected by a 10-year/100,000-mile hybrid powertrain warranty, while older hybrid models are covered by an 8-year/100,000-mile warranty for these parts. Hybrid Toyotas also come with a 10-year/150,000-mile hybrid battery warranty.
Each CPO Toyota comes with a Carfax vehicle history report and a buyback guarantee as well. If it’s later revealed that the vehicle has a salvage or total loss title, you can return it to the Toyota dealer.
Toyota CPO Warranty Exclusions
For Gold Certified vehicles, most vehicle parts are covered by the limited comprehensive warranty, but there are some exclusions, such as:
- Batteries
- Body panels
- Brake pads and shoes
- Bumpers
- Carpet
- Chrome
- Upholstery
- Glass
- Hoses
- Bulbs
- Paint
- Tires
- Wiper blades
Other Toyota CPO Warranty Benefits
In addition to paying to replace or repair any faulty components, the Toyota Gold Certified pre-owned warranty also comes with the following added benefits:
- Travel protection if you break down more than 150 miles from home.
- Rental car/substitute transportation reimbursement while your car is in the shop for a covered repair.
- Quality Toyota parts and excellent workmanship from Toyota repair facilities in the U.S. and Canada.
Some dealerships may also include complimentary ToyotaCare coverage that comes with new Toyota vehicles. This coverage pays for scheduled maintenance services for up to two years. However, this benefit does not come standard with all CPO Toyotas.
Do You Need Extended Warranty Coverage?
Given the short length of the Toyota certified pre-owned warranty, it may be a good idea to consider extended warranty coverage. Of course, before purchasing an extended warranty, it’s worth considering Toyota maintenance costs and reliability.
Overall, Toyota has a good reputation for making reliable vehicles.The brand ranked seventh out of 32 brands in the J.D. Power 2023 U.S. Vehicle Dependability StudySM. Several Toyota models ranked in the top three for their category, including the Toyota Corolla, Toyota Tundra, and Toyota 4Runner.
On RepairPal, Toyota also scores fairly well for reliability. The site ranks Toyota 8th out of 32 brands and gives it an above-average score of 4.0 out of 5.0. A further breakdown of RepairPal reliability data is provided below.
| Toyota Average | Industry Average | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Annual Repair Cost | $441 | $652 |
| Frequency of Repairs | 0.3 times per year | 0.4 times per year |
| Chance of Needing a Severe* Repair | 12% | 12% |
*A severe repair is any repair costing more than three times the average annual repair cost.
While Toyota vehicles are reliable, you should also consider the cost of typical Toyota repairs. Some of these breakdowns may never occur, but they are common for the specified models. You should either purchase an extended warranty or be prepared to pay for such costs out of pocket.
| Model | Common Repair | Average Repair Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Toyota Camry | Oxygen sensor replacement | $378 to $431 |
| Toyota Camry | Throttle position sensor replacement | $131 to $178 |
| Toyota Tacoma | Suspension ball joint replacement | $229 to $443 |
| Toyota Tundra | Exhaust manifold replacement | $1,098 to $1,177 |
Based on Toyota’s reliability, it may be worth saving for the cost of repairs for yourself if you are able. However, an extended warranty could be worth it for added peace of mind when dealing with unexpected repair costs.
What Does an Extended Toyota Warranty Cover?
For certified used vehicles, Toyota offers vehicle service contracts that provide extended coverage after the certified limited warranty ends. The Toyota Certified Vehicle Service Agreement covers select parts and repairs in the following systems:
- Engine
- Manual/automatic transmission
- Axle assembly
- Select hybrid-related components
If your CPO Toyota is less than three years old and has less than 36,000 miles on the odometer, it is eligible for a Toyota vehicle service agreement that adds coverage up to 10 years or 125,000 miles, whichever comes first. Toyota extended warranty costs will vary from dealership to dealership and depend on your vehicle’s model, age, and mileage.
What Toyota Customers Say
In 2023, we used Pollfish to survey 1,000 people from across the country who had purchased extended warranties from their car’s manufacturer. Out of the total, 187 respondents had purchased a Toyota extended warranty.
Most Toyota drivers were satisfied with the coverage. Here are a few things they said:
- “I’m completely satisfied with my warranty. If anything happens I take it to my dealership and they handle all the issues.”
- “I am somewhat satisfied with the warranty. It has paid for most of the repairs for my vehicle and all I have to do is pay the deductible.”
- “I am extremely satisfied with the warranty coverage that I have purchased as it makes me feel less stressed since I have costs covered.”
On the other hand, a few people expressed dissatisfaction:
- “I’m very dissatisfied. Getting an existing brake issue took over a year and I had to fight a lot with them.”
- “I’m not super satisfied just because they overprice the warranty but it doesn’t fix anything for you.”
Other Choices for Extended Toyota Coverage
If you’re looking for greater flexibility in your Toyota extended warranty choices, it’s worth considering coverage from a reputable third-party warranty company. Independent providers allow you to purchase coverage at any point, not just at the time of vehicle purchase. They also offer high term limits on average, with coverage up to 200,000 or even 300,000 miles in some cases.
In October 2023, our team conducted a survey of 1,000 consumers who had purchased extended warranty coverage to learn about their experiences. When asked which companies they chose for coverage, CarShield, Carchex, and Endurance were three of the most popular choices.
Editor’s Note: On July 31, 2024, the Federal Trade Commission announced that CarShield will pay $10 million to settle FTC charges that its advertisements and telemarketing for vehicle service contracts are deceptive and misleading, and that many purchasers found that repairs were not covered. In response, the Motor1 Reviews team reevaluated CarShield’s rating to better reflect its industry standing and transparency with consumers.
Carchex
Carchex has five coverage levels with contracts that last up to 10 years or 250,000 miles. Coverage options range from basic powertrain coverage to exclusionary bumper-to-bumper warranty protection.
Carchex has a reputation for high-level service and is endorsed by companies like Kelley Blue Book, Carfax, the Vehicle Protection Association, and Edmunds. It is one of the few extended warranty companies to boast an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB).
Read our comprehensive Carchex review for more information.
Endurance
There are six levels of Endurance coverage, and each can stretch up to 8 years or unlimited miles. EnduranceAdvantageTM plans not only include stated-component coverage for mechanical breakdowns, but also pay for regular maintenance items like oil changes and tire rotations.
Endurance is also a direct provider, meaning the company handles all parts of the warranty process from sales to claims itself rather than working with an administrator. On the review site Trustpilot, Endurance earns a customer review score of 3.6 out of 5.0, which is high for the industry.
Learn more by reading our full Endurance review.
Toyota CPO Warranty: Bottom Line
Toyota Certified Used Vehicles go through a rigorous certification process. Gold Certified used Toyotas come with bumper-to-bumper coverage, but the terms for this coverage are limited to just 3 years or 36,000 miles, whichever comes first. Silver Certified Toyotas only carry 12 months of limited powertrain coverage, meaning an extended warranty from a third-party provider might come in handy.
FAQ: Toyota CPO Warranty
Below are some frequently asked questions about Toyota CPO warranty coverage.
What does the Toyota CPO warranty cover?
The Toyota Limited Comprehensive Warranty for Gold Certified used Toyotas is a bumper-to-bumper warranty that covers parts and repairs for most major vehicle systems. The limited powertrain warranty available for both Gold and Silver Certified Toyotas covers select parts and repairs in the engine, transmission, drive axle, and alternative fuel systems.
What does CPO mean for Toyota?
CPO stands for certified pre-owned, and Toyota refers to these vehicles as Toyota Certified Used Vehicles, abbreviated TCUVs for short. These vehicles undergo thorough inspections and must meet strict qualification requirements to earn their certification.
How reliable are used Toyotas?
J.D. Power ranks 2020 Toyotas as 7th most reliable out of 32 brands in its 2023 U.S. Vehicle Dependability StudySM. According to RepairPal, the brand has a low need for repair visits, with just a 12 percent chance of needing a major or emergency repair. Among consumers, Toyota is a brand known for longevity, with many vehicles from the brand reaching more than 200,000 miles on the odometer.
Methodology
In an effort to provide accurate and unbiased information to consumers, our expert review team collects data from dozens of extended auto warranty companies to formulate rankings of the best providers. Companies receive a score in each of the following categories, as well as an overall weighted score out of 5.0 stars.
- Industry Standing: Warranty providers with a history of strong business practices and endorsements from experts receive the highest scores in this category.
- Coverage: This rating is based on types of extended warranty plans available, coverage terms, and added benefits like roadside assistance.
- Cost: Our research team reviews sample quotes for a variety of plans and vehicles. Companies with lower prices per year of coverage receive the best scores.
- Transparency: This score takes into account contract transparency and the availability of a money-back guarantee.
- Customer Service: We comb through customer reviews and perform our own shopper analysis to get a sense of the responsiveness and helpfulness of each warranty company.
*Data accurate at time of publication.
