What is a Certified Pre-Owned Vehicle?

Not everyone is satisfied with having a “used” car, but new cars are extremely costly and don’t necessarily fall into everyone’s budget. That’s where a Certified pre-owned car (CPO) comes in.

“Certified” (CPO) vehicles have gone through and passed a more rigorous vehicle inspection process than the usual “used car” and have been repaired accordingly. Certified pre-owned vehicles are typically advertised as “like new” because the certification process is so in-depth. These vehicles are much nicer than the normal used car, therefore their price is usually much higher. The idea behind getting a certified pre-owned vehicle is to get the same quality vehicle as a new car without paying the higher price tag. Sometimes a certified pre-owned car is listed for sale by a car dealership for nearly the same price (or higher) than a new car partially because they typically come with a warranty and roadside assistance, but make sure to do your homework and do a cost comparison analysis before assuming its a good deal. This is where a trusted auto concierge or auto broker can come in handy. The trusted auto concierge or auto broker can do in-depth research to provide you with crucial information to help determine if it’s really a good deal.

Only The Best Used Cars Qualify

Each manufacturer’s Certified Pre-Owned vehicle process varies slightly, but in general, late-model vehicles with low-mileage will qualify for the certification process. Some, but not all, manufacturers will allow a vehicle with repaired damage listed on the CARFAX vehicle report to qualify as a Certified Pre-Owned vehicle. Overall, only the best quality used cars can qualify to be a Certified Pre-Owned Vehicle (CPO).

Certified Pre-Owned Vehicle Inspection

The inspection process for Certified Pre-Owned vehicles is much more in-depth than vehicles not certified. Each manufacturer’s requirements vary, but it is not uncommon for the inspection process to meet or exceed 127-points. Usually included in the vehicle inspection process is a review of records, mechanicals, systems, and appearance, to name a few.

Certified Pre-Owned Extended Warranty Protection

Buying a Certified Pre-Owned vehicle comes with the peace of mind of quality. Certified Pre-Owned vehicles come with an extension of the vehicle’s original new-car bumper-to-bumper warranty. Depending on the manufacturer, this usually adds 12 months or 12,000 miles from date of purchase. Some manufacturers add this to the original new car warranty while others will overlap this with any remaining new car warranty.

Certified Pre-Owned vehicles usually come with an extension of the original new-car powertrain warranty, extending it up to 100,000 miles from the original date the vehicle was purchased as a new vehicle. Some Certified Pre-Owned vehicles come with an additional 2 years of “bumper-to-bumper warranty or unlimited miles as their certified warranty program.

Low-Interest Financing And Other Perks

An auto broker can guide you through the perks of a Certified Pre-Owned car, but generally speaking, you get what you pay for. Meaning, although the price of a Certified Pre-Owned car generally costs more, you will also get more for your money. Most financing options for a Certified Pre-Owned car are better. Interest rates are usually lower, with some being as low as 0% APR. Some Certified Pre-Owned vehicle loans will allow the buyer to defer the first payment for 60-90 days before the first payment is due. Some Certified vehicles even offer payment credits as a perk.

Another perk of a Certified Pre-Owned car is free 24-hour roadside assistance. Most certified pre-owned vehicles come with this for the duration of the vehicle’s extended warranty period. The free roadside assistance isn’t usually only limited to a flat tire repair; it usually helps owners who have run out of gas, locked their keys in the car, need a jump-start, along with a variety of needs. Certified Pre-Owned vehicles have a lot of perks, so contact an auto concierge to learn more about the available perks.

CPO Free Maintenance

Some CPO programs will offer free maintenance as part of their services, for either a specific period of timWhat Is A Certified Pre-Owned VehicleWhat Is A Certified Pre-Owned VehicleWhat are Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles or a certain mileage limit. Usually, you can use this service for oil changes and tire rotations as well as free inspections that the car broker or auto concierge can arrange or conduct.

Ultimately, a car broker is a great resource who can discuss the pros and cons of buying a certified vehicle. Certified vehicles, in most cases, are a better choice for quality and price in comparison to a new car. It is crucial to compare deals for both before making your final decision. Reach out to an auto broker to learn about great deals on CPO vehicles, or better yet, call Open Road Auto Concierge for expert advice.