What is the Difference Between a Used Car and a Certified Used Car?

by Ben Rozema on Thu, 2010-02-18 05:00

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If you've wondered what the difference is between a used car and a certified used car, the answer is simple. A certified used car has been through an automaker's inspection, so you get an extra sense of security. It makes your used car less of a blind date. Someone knowledgeable about automobiles looked under the hood, and liked what they saw. To be certified, used cars need to be of a certain age and mileage bracket.

Certified Vehicles Make Affordable Alternatives to Brand New Cars

The second you drive a new car off the lot it's worth less than you paid for it. New cars are depreciating investments. Used cars are a much more affordable option. When you buy a used car, it's always difficult to tell what you are getting. There may be serious reasons why the owner wants to get rid of the car. You could drive away and soon be broken down. A certified car offers reassurance that you are getting a good deal on a quality car. Certified used cars are often bought through the local dealer and feature warranties that extend beyond the car's standard warranty.

The original manufacturer will use its own people to inspect the car to determine if it's worth certifying. If so, it will offer support for the car beyond the original warranty. Not all used cars qualify, and some will vary from make and model. True certification will include a 100-point (or more) inspection for the car. Any problems found will be fixed by the factory. The new warranty will usually be limited to certain mileage or years, like new car warranties.

What's Important About the Warranty

Some 3rd parties will offer certification, but it means nothing if there's not a warranty to back it up. If there is a warranty, make sure it's not just an extended service contract that you'll need to buy at an extra cost.

3rd party warranties can have problems. For instance, they often require customers to pay for repairs up front or may have up to a $400 deductible. You also risk that the insurance company or underwriter of the service contract won't be around when you need to depend on their warranty.

Same Perks as New

Most cases, the customer of a certified used car will enjoy the same benefits that a new car customer gets. You may get such perks as shuttle pick-up or drop-off service, roadside assistance, free maintenance and low rate loans.

In fact, you'll most likely get the complete attention of a car salesman, just as if you were buying something new. They want you to buy your next car from them, so they're willing to help.

Possibility of More Coverage

Some certified car options offer more coverage, but your real value comes from the factory provided coverage. Some cars have a longer initial warranty when purchased new. When you buy a certified used car, you get the full power of that warranty. You essentially get all the benefits of a new car at a used car price.

This post was written by Ben Rozema. He is a writer for many blogs such as www.california-lemonlawyer.com/blog, a legal blog discussing many aspects of the California Lemon Law

Comments

Certified Used Car Purchase

Submitted by Sharon (not verified) on Wed, 2010-06-16 14:02.

I recently purchased a "certified" 2006 Equinox for my son. I asked the salesman what the difference was between a certifed and a regular used car and he told us that to be certfied, the car has to pass inspection at 50% or better, whereas regular used cars have to pass at only 37%. I specifically asked about the tires because it was dark outside and I couldn't see them very well. I did see some tread on them. He told us not to worry, that's why the car is certified. I replied that I have never purchased a used car before and that I didn't want to have any problems, that was why I chose a certified car - so we wouldn't have to worry about anything expensive for awhile. Again, he told us not to worry and that we have a one-year warranty on the car.

I had a mechanic-friend look the car over the next day, and he said that the tires were original (64,000 miles), dry-rotted and completely bare in places and would not last 5,000 miles. The next day my son had a flat tire. I immediately contacted our salesperson and told him what had happened, and he told us that the car had to be seen by their service department. I told him that my son would have to drive 45 miles to the dealership and to have the service department be prepared to put on new tires because I didn't want him to drive back and forth on those tires.

To make a long story short, the service department simply plugged his flat tire and put it back on the car. The service manager told my son that the tires passed inspection and that the used car sales manager would not replace the tires, nor would he give us a refund so we can purchase new tires.

I am doing research to learn exactly what gets "inspected" to pass a car as "certified" and stumbled on this website so thought I'd share my saga. There is no way a car should be sold as "certified" with tires as bad as the ones on this car. Of course, we paid more for this vehicle.

I worked at a used car dealer

Submitted by Jefferson (not verified) on Sat, 2010-08-14 11:32.

I worked at a used car dealer and you'd be surprised how often the value of a used car outperforms the value of a certified used car. The touchup paint used on used cars is actually typically a better quality as well...

I think the difference

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 2010-08-25 11:13.

I think the difference between certified and regular used cars is pretty big. Most used car dealerships, unless they are huge, do not provide the certification though. I believe it's limited to the larger ones because the vehicle manufacturer is involved in issuing the warranty.

Certificate used car

Submitted by Car Sales Inspection (not verified) on Wed, 2010-12-22 14:41.

A certificate used car gives the consumer to buy a vehicle which will guarantee to be in good condition for a long time because this was reviewed by someone with great knowledge of mechanics.

Thanks!...

I'm not sure if I would trust

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 2010-12-01 05:12.

I'm not sure if I would trust many Used Cars certified checks. The last car I bought has apparently gone through a rigerous 155 point check list and passed all of it. However within 48 hours I had to take it to another Garage and found out the light fittings were all in upside down and it shouldn't have passed any test at all!

Certified used cars will

Submitted by MichaelSerf (not verified) on Sat, 2010-12-04 04:45.

Certified used cars will gives consumers peace of mind to know that the auto has been looked over by a manufacturer’s mechanic and has come out clean, low in mileage, but more expensive. The best part about a non-certified vehicle is the savings, prices are even more negotiable, but the downside to non-certified vehicles is the simple fact that “lemons” are more prominent.

Regards,
Michael - Car Repair Houston

Certified used cars are

Submitted by Wesley M (not verified) on Wed, 2010-12-29 15:32.

Certified used cars are better, hands down! It does not guarantee that the car itself is in better shape but it means that the auto dealer believes it to be. This directly effects you because they will usually give you an extended vehicle warranty!

Always shoose certifed Used cars

Submitted by Jeffy smith (not verified) on Thu, 2011-01-06 01:58.

when ever i want to by used cars i always go and check cars for sale available with auto dealers as they will always have Certified Used Car available with them ...

A used car can provide a good

Submitted by mediaprizm on Wed, 2011-01-26 06:48.

A used car can provide a good starter vehicle for a teenager when he first gets his learning permit. It can also serve as a good way to make sure families whose members have multiple activities can get to each activity without having to split the transportation time between the two activities.Japanese used cars exporter|Japanese used vehicles sale

certified used cars

Submitted by used car inspections (not verified) on Tue, 2011-02-01 13:02.

Getting a used car that is certified makes all the difference in the world! I would never trust purchasing a used car without getting it properly inspected. These inspections can save you from a huge investment fail!

Nice tips

Submitted by RosCar on Tue, 2011-03-08 01:25.

Well, this can be used by individuals who want to invest in cars but dont know how to start first. So for a start, this tips will help a lot.

I rarely trust Used Cars than Certified Used Cars...

Submitted by mathewsteff (not verified) on Fri, 2011-03-11 04:43.

I once saw my uncle, who buyed a used car, which was all in a bad condition. But to my curiosity, i dint think used cars are always like that. Most of the used cars now come with an option of Certification from the third party member as said.

Certified used cars, if they come around in a less price, then there is no question of keeping some extra dollars so as to get certified, so that if there is any problem in future, it will taken care by the certified user.
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This is a very intriguing

Submitted by andrew (not verified) on Tue, 2011-05-24 01:52.

This is a very intriguing post, I was looking for this knowledge. Just so you know I located your blog page when I was looking around for blogs like mine, so please check out my site sometime and leave me a comment to let me know what you think.Used Cars In Delhi

Admirable and supportive

Submitted by gloria.lee on Mon, 2011-07-18 00:38.

Admirable and supportive elaboration has given here to distinguish between old car and certified used car as for getting an extra sense of security and benefit.For getting appropriate authenticated car we have to definitely go through this.used auto parts

Review

Submitted by custom writing (not verified) on Mon, 2011-07-18 11:10.

You know what's funny? The

Submitted by Andreea (not verified) on Thu, 2011-09-22 14:50.

You know what's funny? The first time I drove a car was at Fox Rent a car and I really enjoyed it. I didn't make any difference between a new car or an old car. And I really don't think the difference matters. The prices are different indeed, but the new one is gonna get old anyway, so why bother?

Thanks very good information,

Submitted by Descarga musica mp3 (not verified) on Thu, 2011-09-29 10:08.

Thanks very good information, clear and precise

It means it has tested and

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 2011-10-11 02:55.

It means it has tested and comes with a better warranty from the car maker than a regular used car.

Rv sales

Are there any specific makes

Submitted by used car inspections (not verified) on Fri, 2011-10-28 16:33.

Are there any specific makes and models not worth checking out and that should be avoided altogether?

about certified cars

Submitted by used cars ireland (not verified) on Tue, 2011-11-15 07:08.

A certified used car is a car that is certified by the manufacturer of vehicle.If vehicle is certified than its warranty period extended and if it is found not in efficient conditions than it is reconditioned to comes take it up to certification standards.

great

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 2011-12-06 08:33.

Of course it is always best to choose the certified used car, makeup lessons