The Benefits of Buying Certified Pre-Owned
All used cars are the same, right? Well, not exactly. There are significant differences between used vehicles and those that are certified pre-owned.
What is a Certified Pre-Owned Vehicle?
While a certified pre-owned vehicle is one that is used, the similarities pretty much end there. In order to be tabled as “certified pre-owned,” a vehicle must meet certain criteria.
There are no hard and fast rules as every dealership is different. In general, though, a certified pre-owned vehicle is one that has fewer than 60,000 miles on the odometer and is less than five years old.
Unlike a car that is simply used, one that is certified pre-owned has undergone an extensive and multi-point inspection. Any parts that are worn or malfunctioning are replaced prior to the vehicle being put out on the lot for sale. The same is true when it comes to any damage to the car’s body.
A vehicle that has been certified pre-owned also provides a more extensive warranty. While a car that is used might simply have the remaining factory warranty available, it might not be transferable to a new owner.
In contrast, a certified pre-owned vehicle comes with a limited bumper-to-bumper warranty as well as an extended warranty. There also might be other perks, too, such as 24-hour roadside assistance and trial memberships to music services or similar items.
Benefits of Buying a Certified Pre-Owned Vehicle
Buying a certified pre-owned vehicle offers you many advantages compared to one that is used. Did you know, though, that these cars also provide you with benefits that brand-new vehicles simply can’t offer?
1. Lower Cost
You can expect a certified pre-owned vehicle to cost significantly less than one that is brand new. Much of this reduction in price is linked to the fact that the vehicle has already undergone the bulk of its depreciation. This means that it simply is worth less than a brand-new vehicle that is still on the dealer’s lot.
For comparison, you can expect to pay about 25 percent less for a two-year-old vehicle when it’s stacked up against the newest version. Certified pre-owned vehicles that are four years old could be as much as 40 percent less expensive.
2. Vehicle Return
While not every dealership offers this option, it is one that is worth looking out for in the contract. Even if it isn’t already in there, it’s possible that the dealership will provide you with the option if you ask.
A vehicle return policy is a perk that is gaining in popularity. In spite of all the research you do, and even after testing driving it, you might find that a particular vehicle simply isn’t meeting your needs.
Some dealerships provide you with the option to return it within three days, or before you put a certain number of miles on the odometer — often around 150. This gives you the flexibility to look for something else on their lot without losing out.
3. Rigorous Inspection
Before a dealer will certify a pre-owned vehicle, it will need to undergo a rigorous inspection to be sure that it meets their standards. Not only will these vehicles typically have fewer than 36,000 miles, but they will also have their history mapped out courtesy of a report.
While the exact number of items checked during the inspection can differ depending on the dealership and manufacturer, they typically include at least 120 items. These are inspected by a factory-trained mechanic who is an expert at that particular brand.
4. Free Perks
One of the most appealing things about purchasing a brand-new vehicle is the availability of bells and whistles. One of these is roadside assistance. Purchasing a certified pre-owned vehicle should reduce the likelihood of having a breakdown, but it’s always nice to have an extra layer of protection. Other free perks that could be offered include trial memberships to special services such as satellite radio or navigational services.
At Cumming Chevrolet, we offer many options for those who visit our dealership. One of those is our extensive selection of certified pre-owned vehicles that are awaiting your inspection. Visit us today to see all the benefits these vehicles offer you and take one for a test drive.