$1,500 - $2,000 off on select new vehicles vehicles!

Why Buy Certified

Apr 21, 2015

When purchasing a pre-owned vehicle, it is especially important to know exactly what you are getting. Unlike new vehicles, used cars can vary substantially in quality, even when comparing two cars of the same year, make and model. To provide peace-of-mind to our customers, many new car franchises have factory certified pre-owned (CPO) vehicle programs. A CPO vehicle is one that has undergone a more rigorous inspection than the average used car, and has been fully reconditioned to meet the exacting requirements of the original manufacturer.

For example, for a used Toyota to become a Toyota certified vehicle, it undergoes a 170-point inspection. Among other items, the tire tread and brake pads must both be 50% or better, and no more than two body panels can have had prior paintwork (even by a professional bodyshop). Because the tires and brakes have a high minimum requirement, many CPO Toyotas actually have new tires and brake pads installed so that they can pass the CPO inspection, providing a higher quality used car to the consumer.

Factory-certified pre-owned cars do not just provide peace-of-mind and higher quality, there are other benefits to the CPO program as well, such as better warranties, and sometimes, reduced interest rates. For example, a CPO Toyota comes with the balance of a 7-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty, a 12-month/12,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty, and a full year of roadside assistance. Additionally, Toyota CPO models are eligible for special financing rates.

The specific requirements for certification and any added benefit in the form of warranties or financing rates will vary between manufacturers, but in every case the goal is to provide an exceptional used car and to remove any uncertainty about the car. When considering a used car, definitely consider a factory certified pre-owned vehicle. For the peace-of-mind that comes with a superior product, be sure to look for the terms “Toyota certified,” “Ford certified,” or “Hyundai certified.” Vehicles that pass a manufacturer’s certification requirements represent the very best used cars on the market and we are proud to offer them to our customers.