Everything You Need to Know About Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles

Learn everything about certified pre-owned vehicles, including inspection standards, warranty details, cost considerations, and differences among manufacturer programs. Discover how to make informed decisions when purchasing a CPO car as a reliable alternative to new vehicles.

Everything You Need to Know About Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles

When exploring used car options, you may notice the term 'certified pre-owned' (CPO) being used by dealerships or in online listings. But what exactly defines a certified pre-owned car?

Unlike private sales or independent dealerships, CPO vehicles are thoroughly inspected according to manufacturer standards and come with a manufacturer-backed warranty. These vehicles are sold by authorized new car dealerships and generally have mileage restrictions.

Before purchasing a CPO vehicle, it's important to understand some key points.

Cost considerations for certified pre-owned cars
Many believe that CPO cars are more expensive than traditional used cars. However, studies show that typical used cars can be about $700 pricier than CPO models. Brands like Jeep, Dodge, Subaru, Honda, Chrysler, Chevrolet, and Buick often sell CPO vehicles at reasonable premiums.

Inspect CPO vehicles carefully
Some dealers may superficially 'certify' vehicles after simple cleaning, which doesn't meet true certification standards. Always confirm that the vehicle is certified through the manufacturer, ensuring the warranty is backed by the original maker.

Varied manufacturer certification programs
Certification programs differ: some include a 12-month, 12,000-mile warranty, and a five-year, 100,000-mile powertrain coverage from the initial sale date. Others might offer only a three-month or 3,000-mile coverage period.

Vehicle age isn’t a constraint
Certified pre-owned cars are primarily viewed as appealing alternatives to new vehicles. Many are two or three-year-old lease returns, though some brands also offer cars that are six to seven years old with over 50,000 miles.

Certified doesn’t guarantee flawlessness
Despite inspection protocols, there's always a chance a CPO vehicle could experience undetected issues, or problems that originated when it was new.