What is the Difference Between Used and Certified Pre-Owned?

Certified pre-owned (CPO) vs. used vehicles: what’s the difference? In essence, the designation of “certified pre-owned vehicles” is a subcategory of “used vehicles.” All certified pre-owned vehicles are therefore used (aka “pre-owned”) vehicles, but not all used or pre-owned vehicles are certified pre-owned vehicles. Read on to learn more with Olathe Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram or contact us for additional information on buying used cars the smart way. 

What to Know About Buying a Used Car

Used cars are simply vehicles that have had previous owners before you purchased them. They can vary widely in condition, mileage, features, maintenance history, and just about any other factor you can think of. Accordingly, their prices vary as well, but generally speaking, they’re almost always cheaper than their new vehicle counterparts. Still, before buying used in Olathe, you should weigh many factors for their relative importance for you, such as price vs. reliability vs. features.

It used to be the case that vehicles didn’t last much longer than, say, 100,000 miles. However, today’s used cars are engineered to last much longer than that, provided the proper maintenance is done. Still, you should consider the following if you’re looking to purchase a used vehicle:

• Any privately sold used vehicle you’re considering should be inspected by your mechanic and taken for a test drive before making an offer. There are no rules for providing warranty coverage with used vehicles, and you won’t necessarily know how the vehicle was taken care of unless you’re provided a maintenance history like we offer on our used cars for sale at Olathe Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram.
• Ensure that you discuss any potential issues with the seller of your used vehicle. 
• With the right service & maintenance, used cars can last for many years. Make sure you bring your vehicle back to us when you buy used for expert repairs!

What to Know About Buying a CPO Car

Certified pre-owned vehicles are essentially just used vehicles that have been carefully inspected by a factory-trained technician at the dealership, and they come backed by some form of limited warranty coverage. Requirements such as those listed below can go further than you may think in ensuring you get a good pre-owned vehicle vs. a lemon:

• Model year is within five years of the current model year
• Generally less than 80,000 miles, sometimes up to 100,000 miles 
• A multi-point inspection
• Offered with extended warranties and/or limited powertrain warranties

As you can see, CPO vehicles often are newer, lower-mileage, and better inspected than other used vehicles. Consequently, they often cost a little more, but are still almost always cheaper than buying a new vehicle. 

Shop for Pre-Owned Vehicles at Olathe Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram

Congratulations — you now know the answer to the question, “What is the difference between used and certified pre-owned?” If you’ve decided on buying a CPO vehicle from Olathe Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram, we encourage you to value your trade and quick qualify for financing online.