Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles: What Are They & Why Should You Buy One?
Posted on: 16 October 2017
It used to be that looking for a car meant choosing between buying new and buying used, but there's now another option that brings the best of both worlds: certified pre-owned. Most manufacturers have now launched such schemes in Australia, and they essentially involve taking the best used vehicles, putting them through a certification process, and then selling them on to the consumer as a cut above the average used car.
Here are just four reasons you should consider picking up certified pre-owned used cars.
1. Peace of Mind
Reliability is something people tend to worry about when buying used. A certified pre-owned vehicle is still technically used, but the manufacturer themselves will lend their seal of approval. Though criteria vary between manufacturers, vehicles will need to be less than a certain age with less than a certain number of miles on the speedometer to even be considered for the program. Once they pass that first hurdle, a manufacturer-certified technician will perform an exhaustive multi-point inspection. If any parts aren't up to their high standards, they will be switched out with an OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) replacement. As such, certified pre-owned vehicles offer superior peace of mind.
2. Reduced Expenses
So, going certified pre-owned means enjoying reliability on par with a new car, but you'll pay a price more reminiscent of a traditional used model. Of course, a certified pre-owned will be slightly more expensive than your basic used car, but the savings over buying new can be considerable. This is down to the fact that a car's value depreciates sharply over the first couple of years. A certified pre-owned vehicle will already have gone through that early period of depreciation, so the price you pay will be much lower.
3. Strong Warranty Coverage
Again, terms vary between manufacturers, but certified pre-owned vehicles are almost always covered by some kind of warranty that trumps the coverage you'll receive for traditional used cars. Coverage will usually be backed by the manufacturer, meaning major and minor repairs will be covered for a certain period even after the original factory warranty has expired.
4. Added Incentives
Finally, most manufacturers will add in a few nice little treats for people buying their certified pre-owned vehicles. These alone won't compel you to buy a certified pre-owned car, but they can be a great little cherry on top. You might receive a free satellite radio subscription for a certain time, a choice of accessories, or roadside assistance coverage, so make sure you check around for the finest enticements.
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