Essential Guide to Buying Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles

Learn everything about certified pre-owned cars in this comprehensive guide. Understand inspection standards, warranty details, brand variations, and tips to ensure you’re making an informed purchase. Discover how CPO vehicles can provide a reliable and affordable alternative to new cars with confidence.

Essential Guide to Buying Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles

Are you seeing the terms 'certified pre-owned' (CPO) while browsing used cars online or at dealerships? But what exactly qualifies as a certified pre-owned vehicle?

Unlike cars sold privately or through independent dealerships, CPO vehicles undergo thorough inspections according to manufacturer standards and come with a manufacturer-backed warranty. These cars are sold through certified dealerships and often have mileage restrictions.

Before purchasing a certified pre-owned car, here are some key points to consider.

CPO vehicles are not always cheaper than expected
Many buyers assume that certified pre-owned cars cost more than regular used vehicles. However, studies show that standard used cars are about $700 more expensive on average than CPO models. Popular brands with reasonable premiums include Jeep, Dodge, Subaru, Honda, Chevrolet, Buick, and others.

Inspect the certification program carefully
Some dealerships may label cars as certified after minimal cleaning or repairs, which may not meet true certification standards. To ensure credibility, verify that the vehicle is certified through the manufacturer’s official program, guaranteeing manufacturer-backed warranty support.

Variations among brand-certified programs
Different manufacturers offer varying certification packages. Some provide 12 months or 12,000 miles of initial warranty coverage, along with a five-year or 100,000-mile powertrain warranty from the original sale date. Others may provide only a few months or a few thousand miles of coverage.

Age doesn’t determine certification eligibility
Certified pre-owned vehicles are often used as an alternative to new cars. Many are two or three-year-old models returned after lease agreements. Manufacturers also sell older models—sometimes six or seven years old—that have over 50,000 miles on the odometer.

Certified doesn’t guarantee a problem-free vehicle
Even with certification, vehicles can sometimes have issues that inspection might miss, or problems stemming from previous manufacturing defects. Always conduct proper research and inspections before finalizing the purchase.

Note:

The information on this site covers various categories, offering useful insights based on research. However, it should not be considered definitive. The team is not responsible for discrepancies or errors across other sources. Readers should also be aware that promotional offers or specific schemes might not be included here.