What Does the INFINITI Certified Pre-Owned 167-Point Inspection Actually Cover?
The INFINITI certified pre-owned inspection runs 167 points across six areas, carried out by an INFINITI-trained technician before any vehicle can be listed as certified. It starts before the technician touches the car, with a history pull and a diagnostic scan, and closes with a road test. Here is what each area covers.
Before the Inspection Even Starts: Vehicle History and Eligibility
The 167-point inspection only happens if the vehicle clears a pre-inspection filter first. To even reach the inspection stage, a vehicle must meet all three of the following:
The technician also pulls the CARFAX Vehicle History Report and runs a full service history review through INFINITI's warranty database before touching the car. If the records show a gap in maintenance history, an undisclosed accident, or anything that conflicts with the vehicle's odometer reading, the vehicle does not proceed. By the time the physical inspection starts, the history is already verified.
What the INFINITI Certified Pre-Owned 167-Point Inspection Actually Covers
INFINITI publishes six inspection areas. The 167 points are distributed across them.
VIN, Service Bulletins, Recalls, Diagnostic Trouble Codes, and Maintenance
The inspection opens with a records check, not a wrench. The technician pulls the vehicle identification number and runs it against INFINITI's warranty database to confirm eligibility, check for any open recalls, and flag outstanding technical service bulletins. Active diagnostic trouble codes are scanned and must be resolved before the physical inspection continues. Maintenance history is reviewed at this stage as well. This step catches issues that no visual inspection can find.
Powertrain and Chassis
This is the most extensive area of the inspection and covers the mechanical core of the vehicle. Engine components including cylinder heads, block, valvetrain, timing chain, oil and water pumps, fuel injectors, manifolds, and all seals and gaskets are inspected for condition and leaks. The transmission, transfer case, and all internally lubricated drivetrain components are checked. Brakes are measured at all four corners: pad thickness, rotor condition, lines, master cylinder, and fluid. Suspension components including control arms, ball joints, bushings, shocks, and struts are inspected for wear. Steering linkage, exhaust from manifold to muffler, cooling system, fuel delivery, and electrical systems including battery, charging, lighting, and fuses are all part of this area. Fluid levels are corrected as part of the process.
Body Frame
The structural integrity of the vehicle is inspected here. Frame condition, welds, and any evidence of prior structural repair or damage are evaluated. This is the area that catches vehicles with accident history that may have cleared a title check but left physical evidence behind.
Interior
Every interior function is tested individually. Door locks, window switches, seat adjustments, mirrors, climate controls, infotainment system, backup camera, heated seats, seatbelts, airbag indicator lights, shift controls, and cargo area components are all checked. Nothing the next owner reaches for should fail to work, and anything that does must be corrected before the vehicle is certified.
Body Exterior
Paint condition, panel alignment, glass, windshield wipers, all exterior lighting, door hinges and latches, and trunk or tailgate operation are inspected. Corrosion inspection covers the undercarriage, wheel wells, and any area prone to accumulation. Tread depth is measured across each tire, tire pressure is set to spec, wheels are checked for damage, and the spare is verified.
Road Test
The inspection closes with a road test. The technician evaluates acceleration, braking, steering response, transmission behavior, HVAC function, and any noise or vibration that does not appear on a lift. Anything flagged during the road test sends the vehicle back through the relevant inspection area before it can proceed.
What Happens If Something Fails
Pass every point or it does not get certified
If any area comes back below INFINITI's standard, the vehicle is reconditioned using genuine INFINITI parts before it can proceed. It does not get certified with a notation or a caveat. Vehicles that cannot be brought up to standard are moved to a lower tier in the Market Select program or removed from certified consideration entirely.
At delivery, every buyer receives the signed 167-point inspection checklist along with the CARFAX Vehicle History Report, the three-year CARFAX Buyback Guarantee, and the Certified Pre-Owned Warranty Booklet. The checklist is the actual document the technician completed, with every point marked. Not a summary.
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View Certified Pre-Owned InventoryHow the INFINITI Certified Pre-Owned Inspection Compares to a Standard Pre-Purchase Inspection
A standard pre-purchase inspection at an independent shop uses general inspection protocols rather than a manufacturer-specific checklist. The technician has no access to the vehicle's factory service history database and no particular training on the specific model.
The INFINITI certified pre-owned inspection uses INFINITI's own checklist, is performed by a technician trained specifically on INFINITI vehicles, and draws on INFINITI's own service history database for the records portion. Any repairs required are made with genuine INFINITI parts before you ever see the vehicle. An independent pre-purchase inspection is still a reasonable step for any used car purchase, but the certified pre-owned process is built specifically around this vehicle and this manufacturer in a way a general inspection cannot be.
Learn About the Full INFINITI Certified Pre-Owned Program
Warranty details, benefits, and what comes with every certified vehicle.
View the Full ProgramQuestions about the INFINITI certified pre-owned inspection
What happens if a vehicle fails part of the INFINITI certified pre-owned inspection?
Any component that does not meet INFINITI's standard must be reconditioned using genuine INFINITI parts before the vehicle can be certified. There is no conditional certification. The vehicle either passes every required point or it does not receive the Certified Pre-Owned designation.
Do I get a copy of the inspection checklist when I buy a certified pre-owned INFINITI?
Yes. At delivery, every certified pre-owned INFINITI buyer receives the signed 167-point inspection checklist completed by the technician, along with the CARFAX Vehicle History Report, the three-year CARFAX Buyback Guarantee, and the Certified Pre-Owned Warranty Booklet.
Can I have a certified pre-owned INFINITI independently inspected before I buy it?
Yes. Nothing prevents you from having an independent pre-purchase inspection done in addition to the certified pre-owned process. Given that you receive the signed 167-point checklist at delivery, a third-party inspector would also have a detailed baseline to work from.
Does the certified pre-owned inspection cover the vehicle's technology and driver assistance systems?
Yes. The interior inspection area covers the infotainment system, backup camera, and electrically operated accessories and controls. Driver assistance features are verified as part of the interior and electrical checks within the powertrain and chassis area. Anything not functioning to spec must be corrected before the vehicle is certified.
Is the INFINITI certified pre-owned inspection the same as a multi-point service inspection?
No. The certified pre-owned inspection is a certification process specific to the Certified Pre-Owned program, not a routine service check. It uses INFINITI's manufacturer checklist, requires an INFINITI-trained technician, and includes a service history review and full diagnostic scan. Any deficiencies found must be corrected with genuine INFINITI parts before the vehicle is certified.
What is the difference between the 167-point certified pre-owned inspection and the Gold Plus 125-point inspection?
The 167-point inspection is factory-backed and required for INFINITI Certified Pre-Owned certification. It uses INFINITI's manufacturer checklist and must be performed by an INFINITI-trained technician. The 125-point Gold Plus inspection is our dealer-level inspection for near-new vehicles that fall outside the certified pre-owned eligibility window. Gold Plus does not carry the factory-backed warranty, but it does include our 3-day/300-mile return program.