The bosses here at Lakeland Automotive are always on the look out for ways to meet our customers' needs. This spring we have started offering "Certified Pre-Owned" Hondas and Toyotas.
So? What's the big deal? What's the difference between a "Certified Pre-owned" and a regular pre-owned vehicle? Is it just the next euphemism for a USED car? (Incidentally, I prefer the term "Previously Enjoyed.")
To answer these tough questions for you, I did what I usually do... I Googled.
WikiPedia says:
"A certified pre-owned car or CPO is a type of used car....And they're absolutely right.
Most often late-model, they differ from other used cars by having been inspected, refurbished, and certified by a manufacturer or other certifying authority. They also typically include an extended warranty, special financing, and additional benefits." (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Certified_Pre-Owned)
Edmunds, the go-to website for all things automotive says this:
"'Factory Certified' refers to used cars that are offered for sale by your local dealer with the support of the vehicle's original manufacturer, with warranties that extend beyond the initial coverage. The original manufacturer of the vehicle is using their dealer network to inspect the car, determine if it is worth certifying, then offering support for the vehicle for a period of time beyond the original warranty. The certified warranty protection typically takes effect when the original warranty expires and, like a new car warranty, offers coverage for a certain number of years or miles, whichever comes first. Used cars sold with third-party warranties are sometimes advertised as "certified" but are not truly factory certified because the authority and expertise of the vehicle's manufacturer do not stand behind the "warranty" in any way. In fact the term "warranty" may be misleading as third-party warranties are really extended service contracts. A true warranty offers coverage that is included in the original purchase price." (http://www.edmunds.com/certified-cars/certified-pre-owned-vehicle-programs.html)In a nutshell, CPO programs allow you to get high-quality, late-model, gently driven cars at a substantial savings over new. You still get many of the warranty, insurance, and special financing options that new car customers enjoy. It's kind of like finding a dress as Goodwill with the original store tags still on.
Toyota and Honda each have slightly different Certification guidelines.
My little Toyota booklet says that Toyota Certified Used Vehicles are:
- All Toyota Models
- All sources
- trades
- off-lease
- auctions
- purchase
- Under 85,000 miles
- Come with a Certified Comprehensive Warranty
- Current model year plus 6 years back
- 12-month/12,000 miles Comprehensive Warranty
- From Date of TCUV purchase
- $50 deductible per visit
- Come with a Certified Limited Powertrain Warranty
- 7-year/100,000-mile Limited Powertrain Warranty
- From original date of first use when sold as new
- $50 deductible per visit
- Warranty is transferable--no charge
- Come with Roadside Assistance
- 1-year of Roadside Assistance
- From date of TCUV purchase
- Toll-free call for service 24 hours a day, 365 days a year
- Covers
- Flat tires
- lockouts
- jump starts
- towing
- fuel delivery
- Must meet these standards
- CARFAX Vehicle History Report
- 160-point Quality Assurance Inspection
- 131-Checkpoint mechanical inspection
- All tires must match; minimum of 5/32" tread
- Brakes minimum 50% wear remaining
- 100% mechanically correct
- 29-point detailing and appearance standards
- exterior
- interior
- engine compartment
- trunk compartment
- Hybrids--same benefits plus
- 8-year/100,000 miles Factory Hybrid Battery Warranty
- 174-point Quality Assurance Inspection
- Optional Vehicle Service Agreements are also available
The Honda booklet lays it out like this:
- Eligibility
- 6 years old or newer
- Up to 80,000 miles
- No gray-market vehicles
- No branded title or salvage vehicles
- Inspection/Certification
- CARFAX Vehicle History Report
- Comprehensive 150-point inspection
- Must pass stringent Honda Certified requirements
- Mechanical check and scheduled service
- Appearance inspection and reconditioning as required (interior and exterior)
- Warranty Coverage
- Any remaining balance of new-car warranty
- 12-month/12,000-mile nonpowertrain coverage (following expiration of new-car warranty)
- 7-year/100,000-mile power train coverage (from original-in-service date)
- No deductible
- Covers most mechanical components except routine maintenance items like spark plugs, wiper blades, brake pads, etc)
- Warranty transferable (private-party transactions only)
- Warranty honored at all Honda automobile dealerships
You may be saying, "Hold the phone! What about Warranty Forever?!?" Never fear, my darlings. We are still including Warranty Forever on all our new cars, qualified non-certified used cars, domestic used cars. Basically, if it isn't Factory Certified, and it's under ten years old and under 100,000 miles at the time of purchase, it still comes with Warranty Forever at no additional cost.
More on Warranty Forever in another article.
