Why Opt for a Certified Pre-Owned vs. a Used Vehicle? Unpacking the Pros and Cons

In your quest to find your next four-wheeled family member, you might consider purchasing a certified pre-owned or used vehicle to save some cash versus a new vehicle. Understanding the nuances between a certified pre-owned vs. a used vehicle can guide you to the choice that aligns best with your needs, budget, and preferences. 

This guide unpacks the pros and cons of opting for a CPO vehicle, shedding light on what it means, its benefits, and what to watch out for when shopping for one.

What Does Certified Pre-Owned Mean?

The term certified pre-owned (CPO) signifies a category of used vehicles that have been meticulously inspected, refurbished, and certified by a manufacturer or an authorized dealer. Unlike traditional used cars, CPO vehicles undergo a stringent evaluation process that examines every aspect of the car, from the engine’s performance to the interior’s condition. 

Each car must pass a comprehensive, multi-point inspection designed to ensure that it meets specific standards set by the manufacturer. Only after a vehicle has successfully passed this inspection can it be classified as certified pre-owned.

To add another layer of protection to your choice of buying a certified pre-owned vehicle, only dealers that have relationships in good standing with manufacturers can sell certified pre-owned vehicles. For example, a General Motors dealership like Thompson Sales can only sell certified pre-owned vehicles from GM. That means Buick, GMC, Cadillac, Chevrolet, and Hummer CPO models. 

If you go to Acme’s Used Car Lot, and they tout “CPO vehicles” but don’t sell new vehicles from a manufacturer, those certified pre-owned vehicles aren’t really CPO.

It’s the certification process that differentiates CPO vehicles from their non-certified counterparts. It guarantees a level of quality and reliability akin to a new vehicle but at a reduced cost. The criteria for certification, including the vehicle’s age and mileage limits, are determined by the manufacturer, ensuring that only relatively recent models with lower miles are eligible. 

Here are the benefits of purchasing a CPO vehicle from Thompson Sales following GM’s certification standards:

• Less than 6 model years old
• Less than 75,000 miles
• Clean vehicle title
• Free vehicle history report
• Passed a 172-point inspection
• Reconditioned with OEM parts
• Factory-backed 6-year/100,000-mile powertrain limited warranty
• Factory-backed 12-month, 12,000-mile bumper-to-bumper limited warranty
• 3-day, 150-mile exchange policy
• Roadside assistance
• Courtesy Transportation
• Scheduled maintenance program

The point of CPO vehicles is that they are as close to new condition as possible, but they cost less than a new vehicle’s price. They come complete with a manufacturer-backed warranty that typically extends beyond the original factory warranty. 

What it comes down to is that you have peace of mind beyond an ordinary used vehicle that hasn’t undergone the same reconditioning and certification process.

Why a CPO Warranty Is Important

A certified pre-owned vehicle’s warranty stands as one of the most important selling points that sets it apart from standard used cars. This warranty is not just an extension of the original factory warranty. It often introduces additional coverage areas, including major mechanical failures and, in some cases, routine maintenance. This coverage can drastically reduce the financial burden of major repairs that might otherwise be a significant concern for buyers of used vehicles without warranty protection.

GMC’s CPO warranty is two-fold, and both of them have $0 deductibles.

12-Month/12,000-Mile Bumper-to-Bumper Limited Warranty

This is an extension of the new car warranty. Bumper-to-bumper coverage does not include repairing or replacing these parts, items, or circumstances:

• Tire damage or wear
• Damage due to bedliners
• Damage due to accident, misuse or alteration
• Collision, fire, theft, freezing, vandalism, riot, explosion or objects striking the vehicle
• Misuse of the vehicle, such as driving over curbs, overloading, racing, or other competition. (Proper vehicle use is discussed in the Owner’s Manual.)
• Alteration or modification to the vehicle, including the body, chassis, or components, after final assembly by Chevrolet, Buick, or GMC.
• Coverages do not apply if the odometer has been disconnected, its reading has been altered, or mileage cannot be determined.
• Damage or corrosion due to environment, chemical treatments, and/or aftermarket product
• Damage due to insufficient or improper maintenance
• Damage due to contaminated or poor-quality fuel.

6-Year/100,000-Mile Powertrain Limited Warranty

This is what you’ll get with a transferable powertrain limited warranty for your GMC CPO vehicle:

What’s Included

• $0 Deductible
• Transferable to subsequent owners
• Roadside Assistance†  
• Courtesy Transportation

Engine

• Cylinder head
• Block
• Timing gears
• Timing chain
• Timing cover
• Oil pump/oil pump housing
• OHC carriers
• Valve covers
• Oil pan, seals
• Gaskets
• Turbocharger
• Supercharger and all internal lubricated parts, as well as manifolds, flywheel, water pump, harmonic balancer, and engine mount
• Timing belts are covered until the first scheduled maintenance interval

Transmission/Transaxle/Transfer Case

• Case
• All internal lubricated parts
• Torque converter
• Transfer case
• Transmission/transaxle mounts, seals, and gaskets

Drive Systems

• Final drive housing
• All internal lubricated parts
• Axle shafts and bearings
• Constant velocity joints
• Axle housing
• Propeller shafts
• Universal joints
• Locking hubs
• Front differential actuator
• Supports
• Seals and gaskets

What’s Not Included

All of the above items are not covered for damage due to accident, misuse, alteration, insufficient or improper maintenance, or contaminated or poor-quality fuel. 

What to Look for When Shopping for a Certified Pre-Owned vs. Used Vehicle

When shopping for the perfect certified pre-owned vehicle on our lot, there are several key aspects to consider. 

Compare the CPO standards between manufacturers. Some manufacturers might require a more rigorous inspection or have stricter age and mileage requirements for eligibility. GM’s certification system is already robust. 

Compare the CPO warranties among manufacturers, too. Not all of them are created equal. GMC has one of the best warranties in the business.

Next, look over the vehicle’s history report. CPO vehicles at Thompson have a clean title and are more likely to have a thorough maintenance history on a CARFAX report. Used vehicles may not have such records attached to them. The point is that CPO models have little, if any, maintenance issues because owners were more likely to maintain them according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.

Lastly, evaluate the vehicle’s current state, including its age and mileage. Remember, while CPO vehicles are typically newer models with less wear and tear, variations do exist, and finding the right balance between age, mileage, condition, and price is key to making a satisfying purchase. Used vehicles for sale on our lot are still good buys because we don’t take trade-ins that don’t meet our standards.

Certified Pre-Owned vs. Used Vehicle: Repair Costs

The warranty available for a CPO model can lower your potential repair costs. While some used vehicles have a 90-day warranty at some dealerships, your repair costs might be higher over time because these vehicles might not have any original factory warranty left on them. You’ll be on the hook for any and all repairs. If you’re worried about the repair costs of your vehicle, consider a CPO model vs. a used vehicle.

Advantages of Buying a Certified Pre-Owned Vehicle vs. a Used Vehicle

First, our reputation as one of Springfield’s most respected auto dealerships is on the line with every vehicle we sell and service. We’re not a fly-by-night used car lot. We’ve been in business for more than 105 years for good reasons. Our certified pre-owned vehicles meet all of the manufacturer’s stringent specifications. An ordinary used vehicle on our lot, while still a good buy, does not meet those standards.

Our service center is GMC-certified, meaning all of our service techs have undergone some level of training from GM. We have four World-Class GM Technicians on staff who have the top level of GM certification on the planet. Our four WCTs are more than any other in our area by far. These technicians know how to recondition every CPO vehicle we have in stock. If our CPO vehicles aren’t brought up to like-new condition, we might lose our good relationship with the manufacturer.

Purchasing a CPO vehicle vs. a used vehicle gives you peace of mind that your like-new vehicle has been taken care of properly. If you continue to have regular maintenance checks on it, you should get many good years out of it.

Making the Final Decision: Certified Pre-Owned vs. Used Vehicle

Deciding between a certified pre-owned vs. a used vehicle hinges on what you value most in your car-buying journey. Do you plan on owning the vehicle for a long time? A CPO model presents a compelling option. These vehicles, backed by manufacturer warranties, offer a degree of reliability and confidence similar to new cars, with the added benefit of potentially including special financing rates and other perks. 

On the flip side, if you have a tight budget, want an older model, or plan on upgrading to a new vehicle in a few short years, a traditional used car might be for you. If you’re leaning towards a used vehicle, you should always use caution. Inspect the vehicle thoroughly. Ask for a vehicle history report. 

Used vehicles at a dealership that also sells new cars are, in general, in better shape than dealers without the knowledge, resources, or backing of auto manufacturers. Again, we have a reputation to maintain in our community. We’ll make sure you get a quality vehicle when you purchase one from our lot.

If you shop at a used car dealership without a sterling reputation, you may not know what you’re getting into. Trust the team at Thompson. Contact us or call (417) 763-6811 to talk to us about your next vehicle. We’re happy to help in any way we can!