The Differences Between Used and Certified Pre-Owned Cars

Posted by Bemer Motor Cars on March 14th, 2022

When buying a used car, it’s essential to approach any sale with caution so you can ensure that you leave with a reliable, quality vehicle. However, many people will see a car marked “certified pre-owned” and assume the car dealer is putting an excellent gloss on the word “used.” This is not true. A certified pre-owned vehicle meets many different requirements that don’t apply to used cars and can offer buyers peace of mind in the reliability of the vehicle they buy. Keep reading to learn what a certified pre-owned car is and how they differ from a used car.

Defining Used vs. Certified Pre-Owned

A used car is any vehicle that has been owned or leased by another person before. It doesn’t matter if they held it for ten days or ten years; both would qualify as used cars. While all certified pre-owned cars are used cars, not all used vehicles are certified pre-owned.

A certified pre-owned (CPO) car has undergone a thorough inspection and meets the specific manufacturer’s requirements to be given the CPO label. These requirements vary by manufacturer but include an age and mileage limit; typically, the car must have fewer than 60,000 miles on the odometer and be under five years old. A vehicle cannot receive a CPO designation until it has passed a detailed multi-point inspection to make sure that every single part is in good working condition.

Warranty Comparison

Any time you buy a car, having a warranty can offer you significant peace of mind that you’re covered should anything go wrong. If you’re buying a used car, it’s essential to understand what warranties are in place, if any, so you know what you’re covered for.

When buying a CPO vehicle, you’ll be covered with an extended warranty and limited bumper-to-bumper warranty that the manufacturer backs. The original manufacturer’s warranty may still be in place for cars that are only a few years old, but you won’t have an extended warranty. If you’re buying a pre-owned vehicle from a private seller, there are fewer guarantees that a warranty will be in place.

A Note on Dealer Certifications

It’s important to be aware that a category of used cars falls between CPOs and your average used cars. These are called “dealer certified” vehicles. These undergo a multi-point inspection but aren’t backed by the manufacturer like CPOs. The dealer may offer their additional warranty on the car, and their requirements to list a car as “dealer certified” can vary by dealership.

If you’re looking for a used luxury car and want peace of mind that it’s reliable, you definitely should look for certified pre-owned luxury car dealers in Houston, TX.