What is a Certified Pre-owned Vehicle?

used cars for sale Littleton

A rigorous inspection performed by trained technicians, a car history check and a guaranteed extended warranty – that’s what makes the difference between a certified used car and other second-hand vehicles.

Buying from a dealer that offers certified used vehicles provides you peace of mind and re-insurance, both at the time of purchase and afterwards. It can also bring you a complete warranty and roadside assistance, so that you can be entirely satisfied and happy with your new purchase.

Certified used cars versus second-hand cars

Buying a used car is best when you have all the information on the table. If some important information is missing, you risk being scammed. And what if malfunctions occur shortly after the purchase? Who will you be allowed to blame? These are typically the main concerns of car buyers.

Imagine that you invest a few thousand dollars in a used car that seems to be functional and looks nice, but shortly after, you find out that it requires some repair costs that are almost as high as the purchasing cost. This can really happen, because some drivers tend to postpone or neglect the routine maintenance of their cars, rather opting to sell them when small problems arise.

That means that any routine maintenance or mechanical failures, which occur after buying a car without a warranty, must be paid out of pocket.

These risks disappear when you buy from a dealership that uses a certification program.

New car versus pre-owned; How do you get the right car for your needs?

The main reasons why people buy new cars is the warranty and the peace of mind that comes when you know that you own a vehicle that has just come out from the factory and is expected to work flawlessly for a few years to come. On the other hand, many drivers turn their attention to used cars because they are sold at a better price, and there is no need to worry about their rapid depreciation and they know that if the vehicle is well maintained, it can be just as good as a new one.

All these needs are met with a certification program. CPO cars – Certified Pre-Owned – combine the accessibility of used cars with the warranty and reliability of new vehicles.

How certified pre-owned programs came about and why they are successful

Luxury brands Lexus and Mercedes-Benz were among the first to create such programs, in the 90s. The launch of these programs came from a need to impose a standard of quality and warranty on used cars in perfect working order.

Certified used cars for sale Littleton area vehicles are typically up to 5 years old, with low mileage, and they come with warranty or an extended service contract that protects the buyer, special financing and additional benefits, developed by each program.

What advantages do certified cars offer?

  • Extended warranty, which eliminates any worries related to car fraud
  • Thorough technical inspections, which ensure that there are no hidden defects and problems
  • Transparent and easily accessible car service history
  • Newer car models with low mileage, recently launched on the automotive market
  • Personalized extras offered by each program: financing offers, trade-in options, roadside assistance, etc.

In short, certified pre-owned vehicles arriving in the dealership are subject to strict inspections. They will come with warranty and some extra advantages to buyers.