With the vastness of the used car market it’s easy to become overwhelmed by the freedom of choice, each make, model, and trim level adding their own offshoots of packages and accessories. A now large segment born in the 90’s though has created a delineation in the used car market, that, depending on personal wants and needs, does pare down shopping for those interested: Certified Pre-owned (CPOs). And here’s where we meet today’s commonly asked question of, “What’s the difference between a certified car and a used car?”
What are CPO Vehicles?
Though each manufacturer and independent certification process differ slightly, generally speaking, CPO vehicles are pre-owned cars that have undergone a rigorous inspection process by a manufacturer or third-party program. These inspections typically involve checking hundreds of components to ensure the car meets specific mechanical and cosmetic standards, even down to details such as jiggly glove box latches. If something fails, it will be replaced or refurbished to make the grade.
As compared to general used cars – not including sales from an individual, of course – it’s entirely dependent upon the dealership as to their dealer prep process. A reputable dealer will still put a vehicle through a multi-point procedure before it’s deemed worthy for the lot. This still very much includes a mechanical inspection with required maintenance and repairs, as well as attention to the vehicle’s cosmetics. Sound similar? Let’s dig a bit deeper…
Key Differences:
- Inspection Depth: CPO inspections are significantly more in-depth than used car check-ups. This is where things such as the aforementioned glove box latch come under scrutiny, whereas it wouldn’t necessarily make the checklist normally.
- Repair Focus: CPO prep addresses issues to meet program standards, while used car prep might leave minor problems unaddressed. Again, a reputable dealer will make you aware of such things, or they’ll be readily apparent upon your own visual inspection.
- Documentation: CPO prep involves detailed records for warranty purposes. A clean and transparent history will be detailed for the dealer and for you.
- Time Investment: CPO prep often takes longer due to the extensive inspection and potential repairs. The many touch points involved in the process require multiple people and thus hours to ensure the quality of the vehicle before earning its certification and presentation to you.
Benefits of CPO Vehicles
Though the above hopefully answers your question, let’s wrap this up with a quick look at the advantages of a CPO vehicle:
- Peace of Mind: CPO vehicles often come with an extended warranty that covers repairs for a set period of time after purchase. This can be a major advantage compared to a standard used car, which typically has limited or no warranty remaining.
- Quality Assurance: At risk of redundancy, the inspection process helps ensure you're getting a reliable car.
- Financing Advantages: Often, lenders offer better financing options for CPO vehicles due to the lower risk associated with these inspected cars.
If a certified pre-owned vehicle sounds interesting to you, here at Greensboro Auto Center we proudly offer a variety of our own under the MotorTrend Certified Vehicle Program. Beyond the benefits discussed above, we further offer benefits such as two-years complimentary maintenance, free tire rotations with your service appointments, shuttle services, trade-in benefits, an exchange policy, and best value guarantee. You can find further details, along with our full inventory here!