If the sticker shock of new vehicles in the current market has you looking to buy used, you'll want to consider Certified Pre-Owned vehicles. We are currently seeing used car prices slowly coming down, which is putting more of a spread between new and Certified.
CPO vehicles are typically pricier than non-CPO vehicles but provide peace of mind since they go through a rigorous quality check that varies by manufacturer. Honda and Acura announced they'll be expanding their CPO warranty program to vehicles up to 10 years old, an industry first. Ford is also now offering a 14-day money back guarantee on certified used vehicles that are part of the Ford Advantage online marketplace. Ford is also now letting dealers certify vehicles that are not Ford products.
So, what exactly are CPOs and makes them so attractive despite the fact they are typically more expensive than non-CPO vehicles?
Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles (CPO)
Daily, I get the question of whether or not someone should buy a factory certified pre-owned car, and if it is worth the extra money you pay for one. When I was the Ford National Dealer Council Chairman about 16 years ago, they asked me to help them come up with the best-certified program for consumers and dealers. It was a little foreign for an automaker to take an interest in selling used vehicles. This was ALL about resale value and ultimately residual values on leases. A couple of manufacturers were already big on certified pre-owned car (CPO) sales, and I looked for the best program out there. Much to my surprise, it was Jaguar's CPO program that at the time looked the best. Today, every manufacturer has a certified program, although some are better than others.
Certification Process
Over time, I have become a huge fan of Certified vehicles, and buy them myself when I need a personal vehicle. While most people focus on the long warranty that comes with a CPO vehicle, for me the process of certification is equally as important.
Although the programs vary by manufacturer, they all have processes by which the car goes through a rigorous checklist. Just about everything is checked to make sure it works and is in good order. Many of the programs require such things as new wiper blades, two working keys and remotes if the car is equipped with those, and they must also have a clean vehicle history. Management of the dealership has to sign a form saying all work was done.
Perks
Other perks of a Certified Pre-Owned car often include incentives such as low interest rates, roadside assistance, and a full tank of gas. In other words, it is as close to a new car as a used car can get, often for a fraction of the price of a new car.
Warranties
Most CPO cars have the balance of a five or six-year warranty that extends to 100,000 miles. Some CPO warranties are now going to 120,000 miles, and some give unlimited mileage. Note that most of these warranties start from when the car was new. More on typical warranty terms here.
Pricing
Pricewise, certified cars generally run more than non-certified cars, but the process the car goes through, the incentives associated with it, and most of all the warranty that is included make it all even out in the end. Best of all, you get the peace of mind of knowing the car was gone over with a fine-toothed comb.
Factory Programs
The only pitfall is to make sure the Certified Pre-Owned car you look at is part of a factory program. For instance, if you are looking at a Lexus CPO, make sure the dealer is part of the factory program, not his own certified program. Some dealers have tried that and gotten away with it.
CPO Programs By Brand
All in all, I think factory certified vehicles make a ton of sense and there is little doubt they will save you money over the long haul. Links to CPO programs by brand are below.
