Certified pre-owned vehicles are a great way to find an excellent used car at an excellent price with extra coverage and protection. If you have ever bought a normal used car, you know there is always the potential to find something that is less-than-advertised. Problems that happen under the hood with the engine or drivetrain, for example, can be costly and dangerous if not caught ahead of time. Since many private owners and dealerships simply want to make a sale, these issues might not be advertised, meaning you may buy a vehicle with future problems.
Buying a vehicle that is certified preowned reduces the risk of finding a lemon. Offered by all major manufacturers, these programs carefully select vehicles to resell. Each vehicle goes through some kind of inspection process that often includes maintenance and small repairs if the potential candidate isn’t rejected outright. On top of all this, you can expect additional warranties and coverage to go along with your purchase. Limited and comprehensive warranties will protect your car for the first year or so just in case additional issues come up.
Despite all of these advantages, not all certified pre-owned programs are equal. Since each manufacturer determines the specifics of its own program, you should expect some minor to substantial differences. Thankfully, each program applies to all the models of a brand, so you don’t have to worry about the particular type of vehicle being certified and covered. A little bit of knowledge and thought will help you decide which program is best for you if buying a certified pre-owned vehicle is an appealing option.
Here are the top certified pre-owned programs you should consider for your next vehicle.
Chevy
Chevy takes a lot of pride in their vehicles. While this comes across in the attention to detail each new car and truck receives, it is equally applicable to their certified pre-owned program. In fact, this program consistently ranks around the top of CPO lists due to its extensive inspection process, rigorous eligibility requirements, and the general standards all Chevy models have when they are first sold.
Chevy vehicles are well known for reliability and dependability even as the vehicle starts to show its age. The eligibility requirements for the certified pre-owned program disqualifies any vehicles that have been in major accidents. Each candidate must be less than five years old and have fewer than 75,000 miles on the drivetrain. You are likely to find the whole range of the Chevy lineup with popular models such as the Camaro, Traverse, and Silverado as common sales through the program.
All new purchases come with several perks used cars rarely include. Beyond the basic inspection process, the company offers two free scheduled maintenance visits. The six-year and 100,000-mile powertrain warranty keeps the vehicle protected from general issues as well. With the addition of free roadside assistance and a free vehicle history report, you will know exactly what you are getting yourself into with a potential new purchase.
Toyota
Beyond the general reputation of reliability Toyota has built for itself in recent decades, their certified pre-owned program offers the advantage of diversity. The Toyota model lineup is simply one of the most diverse lineups around. With large trucks, SUVs, family sedans, hybrids, and more under its belt, the company’s CPO program ensures there is a great vehicle for virtually any customer wanting a used car.
To be an eligible candidate for the Toyota certified pre-owned program, the vehicle must meet a basic set of standards. All candidate vehicles are less than six years old. Since Toyota has a long history of hybrid technology and advanced safety options, each CPO model is guaranteed to have great safety, performance, and convenience features. The mileage limit of each CPO vehicle is 85,000 miles.
Each certified pre-owned model goes through a 160-point inspection process to find and fix any potential issues before the car is sold. The warranty coverage includes a 12 month and 12,000-mile basic warranty. Additionally, the powertrain is covered with a seven-year and 100,000 warranty as well.
Honda
Honda is often the preferred brand for people looking for an affordable import option. Their cars and SUVs are quite reliable and depreciate well in value over time. Their dependability rating is often higher than other car manufacturers, which is a good sign for potential candidates of their CPO program. When you have cars and SUVs that start off well built, will last longer, and are free of major dents and damage, you have all the ingredients for the makings of a good certified preowned vehicle.
The certified pre-owned program filters out any unwanted vehicle candidates with a similar set of eligibility requirements. All CPO models are less than six years old, keeping most candidates within the current or previous model generation. There is also a limit of 80,000 miles, so the drivetrain should have plenty of life left under the hood. Honda uses a 182-point inspection process to weed out any cars with major issues as well.
If a vehicle makes it through the inspection process, it will come with an extensive set of warranties for general and powertrain coverage. The 12 month and 12,000-mile basic warranty provides the same coverage as a standard warranty found on most new vehicles. The powertrain warranty lasts seven years or 100,000 miles.
Purchasing a CPO Vehicle
Finding the right certified pre-owned program is only half of the overall equation when buying a used vehicle. Just like any other automotive purchase, it is important to find the right brand you trust and model you want. The perfect car is one that fits your needs and wants the most. Anything else is just a waste of time.
Shop around for different vehicle options before making a final purchase. The great thing about certified pre-owned programs is that they function just like new vehicle programs. Dealerships routinely carry CPO models in their inventories, meaning these vehicles are sitting, waiting for a test drive. Once you find a model you are interested in, you will be able to get the perfect idea of whether it is right for you or not.
Get out there and start checking out the best CPO programs today.
