Certified used car programs began appearing in the mid-1990s as more vehicles were returned by customers leasing their vehicles. These cars were in good mechanical condition, usually with fewer than 40,000 miles on the odometer. The best of these vehicles were put on sale at the dealership where the car was returned; the rest were sent to auction where they were acquired and then sold at used car lots.
For many people, certified used cars are an attractive option to buying expensive new cars. For less cash, you get a quality car that's loaded and almost brand new even if the odometer shows it has traveled 20,000 miles.
Certified pre-owned (CPO) cars are generally late-model, low-mileage used cars that have passed a certain degree of inspection. These have been thoroughly examined by mechanics that have repaired anything that is wrong with the vehicle
CPO cars usually come with a factory warranty or service contract. Unlike other used cars, CPO cars are regularly maintained fact that can be verified independently with a vehicle-tracking service. This makes them a good alternative to new models with high prices.
Many vehicles branded as CPOs were leased rather than sold. As such, they have been cared for by customers to avoid additional charges for wear and tear. This eventually became a popular way for manufacturers to get rid of low-mileage off-lease cars when the leasing boom of the 1990s ended.
If you decide to purchase a CPO car, make sure you're getting your moneys worth. See what the manufacturer has to offer. Aside from the warranty, a lot of CPO vehicles come with the option to return the vehicle if it doesn't meet your expectations. However, the words certified used car can mean different things to different dealers. Be sure to familiarize yourself with what has been inspected during the certification process and what is covered by the warranty. In some cases, the term certified has very little value, other than being an advertising buzz word.
But these conditions vary greatly among dealers so read the contract carefully. Look around and compare polices. That way, you get a good deal. For instance, Lexus, a pioneer of CPO programs, has a three-year, 100,000-total-vehicle-mile limited warranty to its CPO cars. Not so with Chrysler that has different conditions. While it carries an inspection and a return policy, its CPO cars only have a three-month, 3,000-mile limited warranty and an 80,000-total-vehicle-mile drive train-only warranty.
Here's how a typical certified used car program works. When a vehicle is returned from a lease, or traded in on the purchase of a new car, the dealership evaluates its condition and considers it for the certified used car program. Taking VW as an example, the car has certain requirements to meet right off the top: The car must be five model years old or newer with fewer than 75,000 miles on the odometer, and it has to have been operated by the previous owner for at least 12 months.
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Certified pre-owned, or CPO, is a term coined by the automotive industry to describe late-model, low-mileage used cars that have passed some sort of inspection and are backed by a factory warranty or service contract. Certified pre-owned cars are generally in better shape than the average used car and have a history of regular maintenance and accident-free operation that can be verified independently through a vehicle-tracking service such as Carfax.