Lexus Certified Warranty: Coverage And Benefits
The Lexus Certified warranty included with all Lexus CPO vehicles is one of the longest in the industry.
With our #1 rated provider, 
Motor1 Reviews Team Take:
- Lexus offers two years of certified pre-owned (CPO) warranty coverage, which is double what most automakers provide.
- Lexus CPO vehicles must be fewer than six years old and have fewer than 80,000 miles.
- Lexus receives high marks for reliability from both J.D. Power and RepairPal.
Each vehicle in the Lexus CPO program undergoes an extensive certification process and is backed by the Lexus Certified (or L/Certified) warranty. If you’re considering buying a used Lexus, purchasing an L/Certified vehicle can provide the peace of mind that comes with a new car at used-car prices.
In this article, our research team explains the Lexus CPO warranty and the CPO certification process. We’ll also help you decide if a Lexus Certified vehicle is worth buying. If you’re interested in finding the best extended car warranty for your L/Certified vehicle, click below to see our top picks.
Lexus Certified Warranty Overview
The Lexus Certified warranty is an extension of the factory Lexus warranty, which offers 4 years and 50,000 miles of bumper-to-bumper warranty coverage – meaning it will cover almost everything except for a small list of excluded parts as outlined in the contract.
The L/Certified warranty adds 2 years or unlimited miles of coverage after the new vehicle basic warranty expires or from your purchase date, whichever occurs later.
When a covered pre-owned vehicle part fails due to defects in materials or workmanship, the Lexus Certified warranty pays for repairs at no cost to you. Only genuine Lexus parts are used for repairs and most vehicle components are covered. However, there are some exceptions, such as:
- Wear-and-tear items like brake pads and wiper blades
- Body and exterior trim
- Accessories
In addition to covering the cost of unexpected repairs, the Lexus CPO limited warranty also includes:
- Substitute transportation: Reimbursement for rental car or other transportation expenses at $50 a day for up to five days
- Trip interruption service: Coverage for food and lodging at $200 a day for up to three days if your car breaks down more than 100 miles from home
- Roadside assistance protection: Reimbursement for roadside services such as flat tire changes, lockout services, battery jump-starts, and fuel deliveries
- Towing: Coverage for towing to the nearest Lexus dealership
The Lexus CPO warranty is one of the longest in the industry. Most manufacturer CPO warranties only provide 12 months of coverage. Several manufacturer CPO warranties also include a deductible, which Lexus does not.
Lexus Pre-Owned Certification Process
Pre-owned Lexus vehicles no older than six years with fewer than 80,000 miles on the odometer are eligible for resale under the L/Certified program. Lexus technicians perform a 161-point inspection process that includes a road test. Faulty components are repaired or replaced with genuine, certified Lexus parts.
In 2023, U.S. News and World Report named L/Certified the “Best CPO Program” for the seventh year in a row. This award was based on the automaker’s stringent CPO qualification standards and the excellent coverage provided by the Lexus Certified warranty. In addition to this warranty, Lexus CPO vehicles come with:
- Carfax Vehicle History Report
- 2 years/20,000 miles of complimentary maintenance
- Two-month Lexus Enform trial (L/Certified vehicles model year 2018 or newer only)
Lexus Enform is a program that allows you to connect your Lexus to your phone to access features such as remote start, live navigation, stolen vehicle locator, emergency assistance, automatic collision notification, and onboard Wi-Fi.
Do You Need Extended Warranty Coverage?
Lexus takes many steps to guarantee that all L/Certified vehicles are running in top shape. The included Lexus Certified warranty further guarantees that you won’t have to pay for unexpected breakdowns for the first two years after you purchase a vehicle. But what happens after that warranty expires?
You can purchase an extended warranty from your Lexus dealer or a third-party provider, but are extended car warranties worth it? The value of these contracts largely depends on your vehicle. Let’s take a look at Lexus reliability to help you make your decision.
Lexus ranked first in the J.D. Power 2023 U.S. Vehicle Dependability StudySM According to the study, Lexus models experience 133 problems per 100 vehicles, significantly fewer than the industry average of 186. The Lexus RX was the highest-ranked midsize premium SUV and tied for the most dependable vehicle overall.
RepairPal* ranks Lexus seventh out of 32 brands in terms of vehicle reliability. The brand has a reliability rating of 4.0 out of 5.0 (above average). RepairPal also pegs the annual repair cost for a Lexus vehicle at $551, which is below the average of $652 across all auto brands.
Given Lexus’s reliability, you may not need a Lexus extended warranty. It is unlikely that the cost of repairs will exceed the cost of one of these warranties. However, there’s always the chance that an unexpected breakdown could occur. An extended auto warranty can prevent you from needing to pay repair costs out of pocket. Consider the following Lexus repair estimates from RepairPal in comparison to the average cost across all car brands:
| Lexus Model | Replacement | Estimated Lexus Cost | Estimated Average Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| RX350 | AC condenser replacement | $746 to $1,058 | $634 to $756 |
| ES250 | Radiator replacement | $855 to $1,035 | $1,041 to $1,209 |
| GS350 | Fuel tank replacement | $1,614 to $1,744 | $1,408 to $1,529 |
| GX460 | Camshaft replacement | $3,659 to $4,148 | $1,448 to $1,683 |
*RepairPal is a trusted site that analyzes average repair prices, part replacement costs, maintenance costs, recalls, and mechanical problems across many auto manufacturer brands and models.
What Lexus Drivers Think Of Extended Coverage
Our team launched a survey in January 2024 to better understand consumers’ experiences with automaker extended warranties. Twelve respondents had a Lexus extended warranty. Of the Lexus owners we surveyed, most paid between $1,000 and $3,000 for coverage, with some even paying less than $1,000.
Most of the respondents were very or at least somewhat satisfied with their coverage. Here are some of their thoughts on extended warranty coverage from Lexus:
- “I enjoy my extended warranty very much. It’s affordable and gives me peace of mind.”
- “I’m completely satisfied. I had an incident with one of my tires recently and it was repaired for free.”
- “[Filing a claim] was so easy and not confusing. The repair shop took care of all of the details.”
What Does A Lexus Extended Warranty Cover?
Used vehicle service agreements are available for Lexus vehicles up to nine years old with fewer than 125,000 miles, but details vary by dealership. Cost and coverage terms are likely to be similar to the Lexus extended warranty.
There are three Lexus Vehicle Service Agreements to choose from, with coverage ranging from a basic powertrain warranty to a full bumper-to-bumper plan. An extended warranty from Lexus must be added on before your L/Certified warranty expires and can be purchased from a dealership.
For further context of Lexus extended warranty options, the graphic below shows the major differences between the two most popular coverage choices in the extended warranty industry: the bumper-to-bumper contract and the powertrain plan.
Other Choices For Lexus CPO Warranty Coverage
Dealership warranties are typically more expensive than extended warranties from third-party providers. Third-party vehicle service contracts (VSCs)* also typically offer more coverage options, longer coverage terms, and a greater choice of repair shops.
Our review team has taken a close look at some of the best extended car warranty companies. Based on our research, two standout options to cover your Lexus are Endurance and CarShield.
Endurance: Best Coverage
Endurance offers six tiers of coverage that can last up to 8 years or more than 200,000 miles. Some Endurance warranties, called EnduranceAdvantageTM plans, even include coverage for regular maintenance items like tire rotations and oil changes, which is a rarity among the 40-plus warranty providers we’ve researched. This variety of protection options is why we gave Endurance our Best Coverage award.
Endurance has a star rating of 3.6 out of 5.0 on Trustpilot based on more than 7,000 reviews. Many reviews mention a smooth and painless claims process and positive interactions with the Endurance customer service team.
Learn more by reading our full Endurance warranty review, and get a free Endurance quote by clicking below.
CarShield: Best For Electric Vehicles
CarShield also has seven tiers of coverage and contracts that extend up to 300,000 miles. CarShield’s Diamond plan rivals factory-level bumper-to-bumper coverage. You can also purchase cheaper contracts like the Silver plan, which provides powertrain warranty coverage for your vehicle’s engine and transmission – some of the most crucial and expensive-to-replace components.
We gave CarShield our Best for Electric Vehicles award because it offers coverage specially designed for EVs. With CarShield’s Electric Vehicle Coverage plan, your battery pack, electric drive unit, and other key electrical system components are protected.
CarShield has a rating of 4.1 out of 5.0 stars on Trustpilot based on more than 43,000 customer reviews. Many reviews mention courteous representatives and great coverage.
Learn more by reading our full CarShield review, and get a free quote from CarShield below.
Lexus CPO Warranty: Bottom Line
The Lexus CPO warranty provides full-scale bumper-to-bumper coverage two years after the factory warranty expires. Some CPO vehicles may still have some leftover coverage from the previous factory warranty.
If you want to extend coverage, Lexus’s Vehicle Service Agreements come in three coverage levels that can range from full coverage to powertrain protection. You can buy directly from Lexus or find more flexibility with an extended warranty from an independent provider like Endurance or CarShield.
Before deciding whether you need extended coverage, look at your Lexus vehicle’s reliability and repair costs. Compare quotes from Lexus and three or more third-party companies.
Lexus CPO Warranty: FAQ
Below are some frequently asked questions about the Lexus CPO warranty:
How long is a Lexus Certified warranty good for?
The Lexus CPO (or L/Certified) warranty lasts two years after the new vehicle warranty expires or from the CPO purchase date. This is twice as long as most manufacturers’ CPO warranties last.
Is the Lexus CPO warranty transferable?
No. The Lexus CPO warranty is only available to the initial owner.
What does Lexus CPO mean?
A Lexus CPO (certified pre-owned) vehicle is one that is less than six years old, has less than 80,000 miles, and has passed a 161-point inspection that includes a road test. Before being certified, a Lexus CPO will have any faulty components replaced with genuine Lexus parts.
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.
*VSCs are technically not extended warranties, but serve the same function. VSCs are often created by separate companies (though offered and sold through dealerships) – and have their own regulations. However, VSCs can be considered as extended warranties when offered by auto manufacturers.
