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

New, used and certified pre-owned are generally your three options when looking to buy a vehicle. But let’s say you decided you did not want to take the depreciation hit on a new vehicle and instead, you are looking for a vehicle on our Auto Now used car lot in Olathe, Kansas. You have come to the right place where our experienced staff is ready to help you through the car buying process every step of the way. In that process, we will work with you to find a car that you love and can afford, regardless of credit. As a buy here pay here dealership in Olathe, we know that everyone deserves a reliable vehicle and sometimes a second chance and we have dedicated our business to doing both. Not only that, but we love to help our customers learn more about their potential vehicles as well as the car buying process. Taking the mystery out of buying a used vehicle empowers our customers to make the best possible decision for themselves and their budgets. One mystery we will tackle is the difference between a pre-owned and a certified pre-owned vehicle.

Certified Pre-Owned

A certified pre-owned vehicle means a used vehicle that has been put through testing and inspections by the manufacturer, making sure it meets all the original requirements as if it were a new car. It is essentially a stamp of approval from the manufacturer who backs its brand. And often, the manufacturer backs its brand with a limited warranty which helps seal the deal for many car buyers because it acts to give a buyer peace of mind which goes a long way.

What are the pros and cons of a certified pre-owned car?

Pros: In general, a lot of CPO vehicles tend to be previously leased trade-ins with low mileage. What this means is they have typically been cared for and kept up to date with all major scheduled maintenances. If it was a previously leased vehicle, it may have had just one owner and its car history report is easily accessible and regularly updated with any issues or repairs. Because of this, CPO are popular with buyers who are looking to minimize the risk of buying a used car. In order for a vehicle to be certified pre-owned, it needs to be in great running condition, look great cosmetically on the inside and outside and have low mileage.

Cons: Certified pre-owned cars can be significantly more expensive than a used vehicle on our Auto Now used dealership lot in Olathe. Sometimes the price of a used vehicle can be higher than 8% of the normal price tag. But a higher price tag and manufacturer’s blessing does not always guarantee the vehicle is without potential problems down the road. In fact, there is a misconception that buying a CPO means no problems will arise for a long period of time.

Pre-Owned (non-certified)

A non-certified pre-owned vehicle is a used car. Breaking it down, there’s often not a big difference between CPO and a pre-owned besides price and inspection. However, at Auto Now in Olathe, every car on our lot is rigorously inspected by an independent mechanic. A car does not make it on our lot if we know of any major issues that could affect the vehicle. Getting the car checked by a trusted mechanic can give the same peace of mind as a certified stamp from the manufacturer.

What are the pros and cons of a certified pre-owned car?

Pros: Buying a used non-CPO vehicle means saving upwards of thousands of dollars. Consumers looking for an extended warranty through a CPO vehicle don’t always have to spend the extra money. For instance, buying a used vehicle from our Auto Now dealership in Olathe means every vehicle comes with a 24 month or 24,000 miles warranty. Not only that, but all of the vehicles in our inventory have been inspected before hitting the lot. Taking the right steps when buying a pre-owned vehicle doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg. Purchasing a non CPO can also lend itself to being more negotiable at the dealer.

Cons: There is usually a downside to everything and unfortunately in the car buying game, the downside of buying a used vehicle is coming across the dreaded ‘lemon.’ However, there is no real way to distinguish whether it be a CPO or non-CPO vehicle if it slips through the inspection process. Buying a pre-owned vehicle through a dealership or third party you don’t trust also comes with risk.

When it comes to buying a pre-owned vehicle, it pays to find a used car dealership you can rely on and trust. At the end of the day, buying a vehicle is a big investment and knowing as much as you can about the process will help guide you to making the best decision you can and allowing you to have confidence in your purchase. At Auto Now in Olathe, we pride ourselves on helping our customers find a reliable and affordable vehicle. As a member of the community with locations spread across Kansas and Missouri, we know cars, we know people, and we enjoy both.

With an inventory of over 500 vehicles to choose from Auto Now in Olathe not only has a large selection of pre-owned vehicles, but our buy here pay here program means that the car buying process stays under one roof with people you can trust. By offering financing other than through a traditional lender like a bank or a credit union, Auto Now’s team is able to work with our customers from start to finish in the buying process. We start the process getting to know what you can afford and we work from there to get you into a car you enjoy.

Ready to find your next car today? Give us a call or swing into our Olathe buy here pay here used car dealership today.