My dealership says they offer CPOs but what is a certified used car exactly? Is it worth it? Read here to get a clear understanding of certified pre-owned cars.
Every year, there are more than 40 million used cars sold throughout the U.S. Some of these cars are high-mileage vehicles sold by private sellers. But others are certified used cars with low mileage on them sold by auto dealerships. What is a certified used car? That’s an excellent question and one you should be sure to ask when you’re in the market for a used car. You should seriously consider trying to buy certified used cars over other used cars whenever possible.
There are probably plenty of certified used cars for sale in your area right now. Let’s take a look at what a certified used car is and discuss why you should think about purchasing one from one of your local certified used car dealers.
First, What Is a Certified Used Car?
Once upon a time, most people used to drive their cars into the ground after buying them from a dealership. It wasn’t uncommon at all for people to hang onto their cars for as long as they could. But in this day and age, that isn’t always the case. A lot of people trade their cars in just a few years after buying them or return them after leasing them for a few years. As a result, many auto dealerships are left with low-mileage cars on their lots. And rather than sending them off to an auction, most have started up certified used car programs.
These programs call for dealerships to put their low-mileage cars through multi-point inspections before reconditioning them so that they look like new again. They’re then able to turn around and sell these cars to those who want to add like-new cars to their driveways without paying new car prices. As part of these programs, most dealerships will also work with manufacturers to extend lengthy warranties to their customers. Additionally, they’ll sometimes offer things like free car maintenance and roadside assistance to those who buy certified used cars.
What Are the Benefits of Buying a Certified Used Car?
If you’re in the market for a car at the moment, there are so many benefits that you’ll get to enjoy when you make the decision to go with a certified used car. For starters, you’ll get a car with very few miles on it that’s in excellent condition. Since dealerships go through the painstaking process of inspecting and restoring certified used cars, you can rest assured knowing you’re getting a great car when you buy one.
You’ll also get a great car at a great price compared to newer car models. Oftentimes, certified used cars will be available for just a fraction of the price of new cars even though they don’t have that many more miles on them. And as if all that wasn’t enough, you’ll love the fact that you get an extended warranty on a certified used car when you buy it. That’s a luxury that you’re not going to get when you purchase a used car from a private seller. Whether you’re looking for Chevrolet used cars or used cars from another car manufacturer, it would be well worth considering certified used cars before going in a different direction.
Are There Any Drawbacks to Buying a Certified Used Car?
There aren’t many drawbacks that you’re going to have to worry about when you buy certified used cars. But one thing you will have to keep in mind is that certified used cars might come with a higher price tag on them than used cars that haven’t been certified by a dealership. That being said, this isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Yes, it’ll put a slightly bigger dent in your bank account. But it’ll also provide you with the peace of mind that comes with buying a car that has been inspected and reconditioned from bumper to bumper. When you think about it that way, it’ll make this drawback feel like yet another benefit. You won’t mind shelling out a little bit of extra money for a certified used car once you experience the peace of mind it provides.
Who Can You Buy a Certified Used Car From?
If you decide that you do, in fact, want to buy a certified used car, you should know that you can’t just buy one anywhere. Not all dealerships that sell used cars offer certified options. But most major auto dealerships that specialize in selling cars made by one particular manufacturer will be able to help you get your hands on certified used cars. They can also help to answer the question, “What is a certified used car?”, further so that you know what you’re getting yourself into when you buy one.
Is Buying a Certified Used Car Worth It?
As we mentioned a few moments ago, buying certified used cars is going to cost you a little more money in the short term. But that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t still think about buying one since doing it will often prove to be worth it in the end. A certified used car is typically going to last longer than a used car that hasn’t been inspected and reconditioned by an auto dealership. It’s also going to look and perform better than other used cars. This makes certified used cars well worth the investment that you’ll make in them. You should think about sticking one in your garage the next time you’re in need of a new car.
Buying a used car can be a stressful process under normal circumstances. But when you go with a certified used car, it’ll make the process so much simpler and prevent you from feeling too stressed out. Now that you know the answer to the question, “What is a certified used car?”, you should consider buying one. You’ll love all the benefits that come with it, and you’ll wonder why you ever thought about taking a different approach to buying a used car. Learn more about the best ways to go about buying a car by reading the other articles found on our blog.
