What is Certified Pre-Owned and Why You Should Invest in It

March 10th, 2023 by

Key Takeaways
1. Certified pre-owned means used cars that have received official certification from an automaker dealership.
2. The certified cars undergo multiple inspections and tests to ensure high quality and
maintain performance standards.
3. Although more expensive than used cars, CPO vehicles are in near-perfect condition.
4. Certified pre-owned cars have low mileage, are free from technical or mechanical issues
and are not worn down.
5. Some benefits of investing in certified pre-owned include extended warranty, roadside
assistance and loaner car deals.

With a limited budget, buying an old or used car can seem like the only option. But if you want to
avoid taking any risks with its reliability and performance, CPO vehicles may be your answer!

Certified pre-owned cars have been thoroughly inspected by automakers themselves – so you
get all of the reassurance that comes from a new vehicle without having to break the bank.

A certified pre-owned vehicle is a factory-certified used car that has undergone inspection by a
dealership. It has added perks and is more viable than buying a second-hand car.

Read on to know all about certified pre-owned vehicles, including its many benefits and why you
should invest in them.

What is Certified Pre-Owned and Why You Should

What Is Certified Pre-Owned?
A certified pre-owned vehicle is a second-hand car designated to be in better condition than
other used cars. Today, nearly all car manufacturers offer certified pre-owned programs at their
dealerships, making them more accessible.

These vehicles are certified through an official inspection process that analyses the car’s
condition. Certified used cars are generally accident-free, have low mileage and are mildly used.
Most importantly, these cars come with warranty coverage from the automaker company.
The thorough inspection process makes certified pre-owned vehicles more reliable than used
cars. You will likely get a fair deal with certified pre-owned on your favourite model in almost
brand-new condition.

How Does a Car Get Certified?
Inspecting the used vehicle in the certification process is not only a simple test drive. The car
goes through multiple checks to ensure safety and reliability. The dealership also checks the
car’s history for accidents and if the previous owner did any significant repairs.
The experts at a car dealership will check the car’s interior, exterior, and engine to ensure things
are functional and running smoothly. Any machine or technical issues become apparent on the
test drive.

If a car fails to meet the certification specifications, it gets sold as a typical used car without any
touch-ups.

Why You Should Invest in Certified Pre-Owned
Certified Pre-Owned cars have been gaining popularity due to the minimal risk of buying a
supposedly used car. Although certified pre-owned vehicles are more expensive than
non-certified used cars, you will get added perks with CPO programs.

These benefits include an extended warranty by the official automaker, roadside assistance,
free satellite radio, and discounted loan rates. So apart from getting a mint condition vehicle at a
low price, you get these amazing additional benefits.

With pre-owned vehicles, you almost always get cars that are a little worn down; but certified
pre-owned eliminate that issue. In essense, the mileage is the only main difference between a
new and a certified used car.

Although these cars are not brand new, a CPO program offers an excellent investment
opportunity. Due to being second-hand, they’re cheaper than brand-new cars. But certified
pre-owned means they’re inspected, polished, and good as new.

Advantages of Buying Certified Pre-Owned
Buying certified pre-owned is the best way to get a high-performance vehicle at a low price.
Even though it’s a used car, you can get an excellent offer for a top-quality vehicle. There are
several other benefits of buying a CPO car, listed below.

Thorough Inspection Process
As mentioned, your certified pre-owned car will be handed to you as a fully operational,
high-quality vehicle. The certification eliminates the risk of any issues as the dealership
manages any repairs needed before you buy it.

The automaker will thoroughly check the vehicle’s parts and systems, so it meets the company’s
requirements for certification. The inspection includes test drives and engine checkups.

Extended Warranty
Usually, a certified pre-owned car will come with an extended warranty that covers beyond the
vehicle’s mileage. You are buying a used car covered by the original automaker’s warranty.
Depending on the dealership program, you might get a bumper-to-bumper or even a powertrain
warranty. It means any future issues or problems with car parts would be replaced or repaired.

Less Uncertainty
Although a risk is always attached to buying used cars, CPO lowers the uncertainty typically
attached to pre-owned vehicles. The car undergoes multiple checks by trained professionals
who fix any problems if present.

In contrast to other used cars, certified pre-owned can only be six years old at the max. Another
requirement is that the vehicle must have less than 75,000 miles on it. A low mileage ensures
you get a car that is not worn down through prolonged use.

Other Benefits
Some other perks of investing in certified pre-owned cars include a free-of-cost history report
that comes with the vehicle. Your dealership may offer roadside assistance or loaner car offers
with the purchase. In case of a problem with the program, you can resolve the issue with the
manufacturer’s help.

Additionally, a certified pre-owned car is easily insured since there is not much risk attached to
the vehicle. All these incentives are not present when getting a used car from the second-hand
market.

Conclusion

Investing in a certified pre-owned car is a great option for new buyers as you get an exclusive
new car offer at a used car price. A certified vehicle will provide the same features and
performance as a new car, as they aren’t that old either. The affordability of a CPO car, along
with several perks and benefits, has attracted many people in recent years.

At Chris Auffenberg Ford in Washington, we offer various certified pre-owned vehicles. Our CPO
collection comes with premium services and exclusive special deals. Dealer experts at our
company are always ready to help make your purchase a smooth experience. You can  schedule a service online or contact us for more information about certified pre-owned cars.

Posted in Uncategorized