Certified Pre-Owned vs Used Vehicles

What is the Difference Between Used & Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles?

Buying a vehicle can seem like a daunting task, but learning the difference between used and certified pre-owned can help with a car buyer’s peace of mind. For a lot of customers in the vehicle market, they want a car that will get them from point A to point B. Typically, they will be looking for a vehicle they can rely on and will not cost them too much. Now, car buyers really have 3 options when it comes to purchasing a vehicle; new, used, and certified pre-owned. This article will walk through the perks of the three and used vs certified pre-owned.

New Vehicle

New Vehicles can be very tempting. Many drivers like knowing that they are the only one to drive their vehicle, even if that means pulling a little extra money out of their wallet. Even though the price can be steep, buying a new car has its perks. For starters, new car buyers don’t have to deal with the evaluation process of a used or CPO vehicle, since it is in perfect condition. With new cars, dealers will often offer better interest rates and incentives through the negotiation process. Another benefit being newer vehicles usually come equipped with updated technology and safety features. 

Used Vehicles

Used vehicles are most popular for their depreciation. When a new vehicle is driven off the lot it immediately loses some of its original value, and these deals can be hard to pass up. Although used vehicles don’t necessarily receive a full multi-point inspection, they can still be purchased with an extended warranty and prices can often be negotiated on used cars. Lum’s Auto Center’s used vehicles are a great option for prospective car buyers!

Certified Pre-Owned

Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) vehicles are partially used vehicles that have been thoroughly inspected and repaired if needed by trained professionals, then covered by a manufacturer-backed extended warranty. CPO’s will typically have less issues, less miles, and less repairs than a used vehicle. Certified pre-owns are a great way to get a newish car without paying a heavy price. Two year old pre-owns drop around 25% in price, while 4 year pre-owns can drop as much as 40% in price. They will always cost more than a non-certified vehicle because of the special perks offered alongside it. 

What Makes a Vehicle Certified Pre-Owned?

Each OEM has different standards for what classifies one of their vehicles as a CPO. Standard CPOs go through a multi-point inspection, are only a certain number of years old, and are below a certain mileage. Benefits and advantages on top of that can vary between OEMs and dealerships. 

Toyota Certified Used Vehicle (TCUV)

Toyota Certified Used Vehicles go through rigorous testing to qualify as a TCUV. Qualifying models can be a current year model vehicle or up to 6 year old model vehicles. Qualifying vehicles must have less than 85,000 miles, go through a CARFAX vehicle history report, then pass Toyota’s 160-point inspection. Different OEMs will offer different advantages or packages with the CPOs. Toyota, for example, offers:

• 12 month/12,000 mile limited comprehensive warranty (whichever occurs first)
• 7 year/100,000 mile limited powertrain warranty. 
• 1 year of roadside assistance
• Standard new car financing rates available
• Trade-ins accepted

Ford Certified Used Vehicles

Similar to Toyota’s certified used vehicle program, Ford offers two certified vehicle levels of their own, blue & gold certified. Blue certified is Ford’s lower end program with qualifying vehicles being no more than 10 years old and no more than 120,000 miles, while passing a 139-point inspection. 

Qualifying gold certified vehicles must pass a 172-point inspection while maintaining less than 80,000 and being 6 or less years old. 

Conclusion

In conclusion, there isn’t a world of difference between used and CPO vehicles. CPOs can give the customer the ease of mind knowing they’ll be safe and their vehicle will have minimal issues/repairs. Certified Pre-Owned vehicles are a safe option for less vehicle-saavy drivers, but still want to be conservative with their money. Used vehicles are a great option for customers who can work through minor issues, while saving themselves from breaking the bank. Whether you are looking for a new, used, or certified pre-owned vehicle, Lum’s Auto Center has you covered! Come check out all the inventory on our lot!

Tags: TCUV
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