Certified is a simple term that can take on varying meanings when referring to used vehicles these days. You see, there have always been used cars, but then a shift in perceived quality came from calling them pre-driven. Now the greatest enhancement in the evolution of used car marketing has become Certified Pre-Owned status.
Certified Pre-Owned, just the name instills confidence, but the key is being able to separate the hype from it’s actual value and substance. When referring to a manufacturer’s certified program there is an extension of the original vehicle warranty, very much like an extended service contract, giving the next owner a more comprehensive warranty. These coverages do vary greatly from one manufacturer to another, so their worth depends on their terms and price.
The certification process also means that each vehicle must pass certain inspections and standards. This often translates into reconditioning items like brakes and performing required maintenance services. The takeaway here is that some manufacturers require a more comprehensive certification checklist or better warranty coverages which may give their certification greater value. Only doing the homework of a full certified program comparison will determine which of the manufacturer’s programs have more merit. Perks such as new car financing rates, roadside assistance, and free service loaners should also be included in your analysis.
When shopping for a certified vehicle it’s a good idea to obtain new car pricing of the same model. Often new car incentives can make it a very small difference to purchase a brand new vehicle. Knowing this may even help you in negotiating better pricing on the certified car. In the current market, most Japanese imports have had new car supply shortages, which have inflated the values of their used car counterparts, so shop wisely.
One final thing to remember, any used car seller can claim they are selling you a certified vehicle. Unless it’s a new car dealer offering his own manufacturer’s vehicle brand of used vehicle under their factory certified program, it’s not worth your consideration.
