5 Reasons to Consider a Certified Pre-Owned Car | Consumer Reports

Join CR at CR.org/joinviaYT to access our comprehensive ratings for items you use every day. CR is a mission-driven, independent, nonprofit organization.
If you're shopping for a car, and want to avoid the potential problems of a used vehicle and the expense of buying something brand new, a certified pre-owned vehicle could be your best bet. We explain what a certified pre-owned (or CPO) car is, and using data from CR's reliability and owner satisfaction surveys, we show why it might hit the sweet spot for price and reliability for many buyers looking for a good deal on their next vehicle.
Follow Us on Social:
TikTok: bit.ly/3BVzGR9
Instagram: bit.ly/1I49Bzo
Facebook: on. 1IQ2w5q
Twitter: bit.ly/1Yf5Fh2
Pinterest: bit.ly/1P37mM9

[@TheLifetraveler1]

There is the impression that certified cars, are just below new cars. Not quite. A dealer is allowed to certify a car that has had physical damage, as long as it has NOT been in a collision. Also there have been several reports, where cars that were supposedly inspected, and 'freshened up', (fluids changed, tires replaced), didn't have any of those things done to it. So you should still get a car inspected, whether it is certified or not.

[@MBisFrenchy]

In this overpriced used car market a used / CPO car is not a great deal unfortunately.

[@lukerinderknecht2982]

That's true, but for someone hard up for a ride, the immediate inventory of a used / cpo car might seal the deal.

[@toronado455]

Is "certified pre-owned" just another name/marketing gimmick for "extended warranty" then?

[@ragweedmakesmesneeze]

I mean, yes and no. The big difference here is the "certified pre-owned" cars are covered under "extended warranty" from THE MANUFACTURER. That means, in theory, any dealership will honor/fix your car, but a third party "extended warranty" will not necessarily be honored by dealerships and/or auto repair stations.

[@ragweedmakesmesneeze]

The other nice thing about SOME CPO cars is that if you find a low mileage CPO car like Mr. Lopez did above in the comments, you can effectively get a "new" car with an even longer warranty than if you bought the same vehicle actually new. BUT...not all CPO warranties are created equally. Some are better than others!

[@georgejesson1944]

But in the current market, prices for most popular used vehicles come in very close to a three year old model. This used to be the case before the supply line debacle.

[@KJSvitko]

The problem is that people hate going to a legacy auto dealer. You always walk out feeling cheated. If they are selling new vehicles for thousands over MSRP what are they doing with used car prices. Legacy auto dealers are hurting themselves and their manufacturers by scamming their customers.

[@Fightingscot82]

I'm in the market for a CPO vehicle and I've seen DOZENS of dealerships claiming depreciation from the new car MSRP as some sort of dealer discount for the buyer. Clearly dishonest - and boy, let me tell you that they don't like being called on it.

[@ricomajestic]

Never pay over MSRP unless you are desperate!

[@foxlake6750]

With so many flooded cars coming out of Florida, you have to be careful. Name brand dealers won’t sell junk and will be able to vet flooded cars. 🧜🏻‍♂️

[@AnythingJW]

still buying from a dealer...

[@GURUKHAN_OG]

Buying "certified pre owned" cars is just a waste of money! It is going to be still not trust worthy as you don't know what happened to the vehicle in the past or why they sold it. There will b be big repairs as soon as 3- 6 months of buying it. In the long run it's better to buy new cars or buy a totally used one without the premium for "certified". The prices of cars and SUVs is really bloated these last 5 years. Even Honda and Toyota are selling like luxury vehicles and luxury vehicles are costing as much as a quarter of a brand new 2 story independent house! These prices should fall. If people stop buying cars, then the companies will have no other option but to reduce the prices to pre 2017 levels.

[@ricomajestic]

most cpo's have a 7 year power train warranty though which are the most expensive parts of a car! If your engine block or transmission go you are covered. If you buy a used car from a private party the manufacturer's warranty will most likely have expired depending on the number of miles on the car or age. Just make sure to get the car inspected before you buy it.