It pays to do your homework when purchasing a used car, and programs like CarBravo and GM CPO (Certified Pre-Owned) certainly go a long way in offering reassurance you’re getting a good vehicle. The question is – what are the differences between these two services? Now, GM Authority is taking a closer look with the following comparison.
For those readers who may be unaware, the GM CPO program applies to used Chevy, Buick, and GMC vehicles, and includes a variety of benefits. All GM Certified Pre-Owned vehicles are evaluated with a 172-point vehicle inspection and reconditioning process to meet the program standards, and must be within six model years, within a maximum of 75,000 miles, have a clean title, and must not have any outstanding safety recalls.
Notably, pre-owned Cadillac vehicles do not fall under the broader GM Certified Pre-Owned program, but rather fall under a separate CPO program specific to the Cadillac brand.
Then there’s GM’s CarBravo program, which opened for business in 2022. As GM Authority covered previously, CarBravo is powered by GM’s digital retail program, and offers customer access to a broad variety of used vehicles, including both GM and non-GM models. In addition to access to an expanding inventory of used vehicles via online avenues and dealership channels, every vehicle is given a multi-point inspection by a certified technician, and customers also have access to over 4,000 service centers around the nation.
According to GM, dealers can choose either the GM CPO program or the CarBravo program, but not both. There are currently more than 2,000 dealers offering GM Pre-Owned benefits, while there are roughly 250 dealers offering CarBravo. However, the number of dealers offering CarBravo is growing.
Check out the table below for more information on what each of these services offers. In addition to info on GM CPO, Cadillac CPO, and CarBravo, we’ve also included information on BravoBudget, which is available on vehicles that do not satisfy the eligibility criteria for a CarBravo Certified tier:
GM CPO | Cadillac CPO | CarBravo Coverage | BravoBudget Coverage | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Bumper-to-bumper limited warranty extension | 12 months or 12,000 miles1 | 12 months with unlimited miles1 | 6 months or 6,000 miles1 | No |
Powertrain limited warranty | 6 years or 100,000 miles2 | 12 months with unlimited miles1 | 6 months or 6,000 miles1 | 30 days or 1,000 miles |
Scheduled maintenance program | 2 years or 24,000 miles, includes 2 visits | 2 years or 24,000 miles, includes 2 visits | No | No |
24-Hour roadside assistance and courtesy transportation for warranty repairs | Yes, for duration of warranty above | Yes, for duration of warranty above | Yes, for duration of warranty above | Yes, for duration of warranty above |
Multipoint inspection report | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Vehicle reconditioning | Yes | Yes | No | No |
Vehicle exchange program | 3 days or 150 miles | 3 days or 150 miles | 10 days or 500 miles | 10 days or 500 miles |
Vehicle history report | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
OnStar Safety and Security plan | 1-month trial | 1-month trial | 1-month trial | 1-month trial |
OnStar Connected Services with remote app access, navigation | 1-month trial | 1-month trial | 1-month trial | 1-month trial |
SiriusXM satellite radio subscription | 3-month trial | 3-month trial | 3-month trial | 3-month trial |
My GM Rewards points | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Automotive brands | Chevrolet, Buick, GMC | Cadillac | All | All |
- After original factory warranty expires
- From original in-service date
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Comments
I don’t like buying used vehicles unless it’s from someone I know well. Too many people today do not maintain their vehicles properly. They never check the oil and don’t change it until after the light comes on. Many never lift the hood unless a warning light comes on. I guess I am very anal about maintenance but my vehicles go well over 100k and 10 years without issues. I keep 3 vehicles so usually buy a new one every 5 years or so.
Lease vehicles are even worse. I like it when 2 leasers talk to each other about buying their vehicles after/when their lease is up. -The one who’s neglected theirs doesn’t have much if anything to say.