Are Certified Pre-Owned Cars Worth the Extra Cost?

You’re in the market for a new-to-you car, and you want a great deal, reliability, safety, peace of mind – the whole package. Will certified pre-owned vehicles deliver it, and are they worth the additional expense?

What is “Certified Pre-Owned”?

Certified pre-owned vehicles are:

• Late model
• Low mileage
• No history of significant damage
• Put through a multi-point inspection process
• Equipped with a warranty
• Often bundled with extras (e.g. free roadside assistance, free maintenance, etc.). Expect more perks with certified luxury pre-owned vehicles.
• More pricey than non-certified vehicles, often to the tune of thousands of dollars.

Sounds good, right? You get a like-new vehicle for a lower price. But there are a few factors to keep in mind.

Not all CPOs are backed by the manufacturer; the dealer may have its own certification program. This can be fine, but remember that they can set their own parameters. How thorough is that inspection process, for example? Which cars qualify that perhaps wouldn’t with a manufacturer-backed CPO program?

Problems can potentially crop up when you have to make a warranty claim. If the dealer certified the car, or bought a third-party certification, you may find a hard time navigating the ins and outs. Who is actually covering the warranty?

Warranties also differ in terms of what they pay for; is it limited? Limited and powertrain? What are the restrictions on miles and on covered parts/repairs?

Another issue is that certified pre-owned vehicles do not mean the cars will be without trouble. Again, depending on the specific certification program, you may be purchasing a vehicle with flood damage, an accident history, or one that has not been through a proper inspection.

And then there’s the cost: expect to pay thousands over the top of a “regular” used car. Is it worth it? It can be if you opt for a manufacturer-backed CPO – and if you read the fine print.

Purchasing a pre-owned model from a trustworthy dealer who implements a rigorous onsite inspection by certified mechanics (and who understands your need for a second opinion by your own mechanic) is often a better route. You can take the money you save and put it away for maintenance and repairs.

Finding a reliable vehicle from a reputable dealer can give you the peace of mind you need – at a lower cost.

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