We’ve all heard the story of a friend purchasing a pre-owned vehicle that test drove smoothly and appeared to be in good condition at the time of purchase. Yet, within three or four weeks, the car began falling apart. Worse yet, the car did not come with any quality guarantee, so the new owner was left paying for costly repairs. Stories like these often lead car-buyers to avoid purchasing a pre-owned vehicle for fear that they will have a similar experience.

Fortunately, Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) Vehicle Programs are now offered by manufacturers and new car dealers to alleviate those concerns. Certification programs are designed to reassure customers with a quality guarantee on specially selected vehicles.

How the Manufacturer’s Certified Pre-Owned Vehicle Program Works
For a vehicle to qualify as a CPO, it must: ü
* Be a relatively recent model (5 years old or less) ü
* Have low mileage (usually less than 70,000 miles)
* Pass a detailed inspection for safety and performance outlined by the manufacturer – 75-305 points of inspection
* Have no detected structural damage or severe cosmetic flaws post inspection ü
* Have no suspicious title history such as a serious accident or flood damage that may have required extensive body work

Consumer Benefits of CPO
Factory CPO programs offer a legitimate and practical alternative to purchasing new or used vehicles. For consumers who want a quality car at a reasonable price, CPO programs offer a great selection of pre-owned vehicles that have been certified against extremely high standards.

Pricing and Incentives
CPO programs are designed to give consumers peace of mind when purchasing a pre-owned vehicle. To ensure that each CPO vehicle meets high quality standards, manufacturers invest significantly in the certification process. This is why certified vehicles are often priced higher than non-certified used cars. However, when considering the amount of money you can save in terms of future maintenance/service, purchasing a certified pre-owned vehicle that has a quality guarantee is often a worthwhile investment.

Today, many manufacturers offer incentives on CPO cars, such as extended warranties and reduced-rate financing. Other extras might include 24-hour roadside assistance, trip-planning services, trip-interruption services (including hotel compensation), and complementary oil changes.

Another advantage when buying a CPO vehicle is that car-buyers can step up to a luxury segment vehicle that they might not be able to afford new.

How to Check for Certification
If a vehicle is described as certified, it is important to check under which CPO program it was certified. All CPO programs are a little different and operate under various age and mileage requirements. Warranty and incentive programs will also vary, so it is best to be aware of all available alternatives prior to finalizing your purchase. Some dealerships will offer their own certification program. But it is best to acquire a pre-owned vehicle certified by the manufacturer at your new car dealership, which typically operates with higher standards and more rigorous inspections backed by a factory warranty.