What are Certified Used Cars?

Long Island Preowned Car Dealer | Smithtown cars Under 10k

Are you in the market for a certified used car? Contemplating buying a certified used car but unsure whether or not it’s really for you? Perhaps you’re just confused about the meaning of the ‘certified used car’ term. We’ve uncovered the truth for you.

A certified pre-owned vehicle (CPO) is a used car that has been thoroughly inspected and refurbished. It has also been certified by a manufacturer to include a warranty and other perks. In order to achieve this classification, a certified pre-owned car must pass a series of tests to determine its reliability. The car is then given a warranty which takes effect after the initial manufacturer’s warranty has elapsed. A certified used car is not to be confused with a car that simply has an extended warranty. A used vehicle may be given an extended warranty by a dealership or third party, but without the CPO designation, it most likely has not undergone any testing or refurbishment.

There are two types of certified used cars: factory-certified cars and dealer-certified cars. Usually, factory-certified cars are your best bet, having been tested and repaired directly by the manufacturing factory. These cars also receive the best warranties, with many of the same benefits you would receive buying a new car. A dealer-certified car has not gone through the same process of inspection as the factory-certified car, and you will have to get your warranty through a third party.

As with any decision, there are certainly pros and cons to buying a certified used car. With a certified pre-owned car, you receive inspection, repairs, warranty, and overall peace of mind. However, a CPO is often more expensive, and there is never an absolute guarantee that it will be trouble-free. And while you will certainly avoid the dreaded new-car depreciation factor with a certified used vehicle, you will of course have to deal with the inevitable wear and tear that comes with a NY pre-owned car.

Jerry Cizek, the former president of the Chicago Automobile Trade Association, once said this: “Buying a certified pre-owned car is a good alternative to buying a new car at a time when the customer faces the uncertainty of making a mortgage payment, much less a car payment." It’s important to become a smart car buyer and to know the facts. A certified used car just might be the right choice for you in your search for a quality vehicle.

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