Besides your home and college education, a car is probably the next most expensive thing you can buy. While a used car can help you save costs, it can also be risky. That is why many people in the town of Youngstown, Ohio, opt for certified used cars. This article will show you everything you need to consider before choosing a certified used car.
A certified used car is a pre-owned vehicle that has undergone rigorous testing to ensure that it is in the best condition. Such cars are typically sold under certified pre-owned (CPO) vehicle programs. Under these programs, technicians test over 100 performance metrics on each qualifying car, and the manufacturer also backs the vehicle with warranties and other perks. The age of certified used cars varies based on the CPO program, but many are not older than seven years and typically have less than 90,000 miles on the odometer.
Because of the stringent selection process and the attention dealers and manufacturers give to certified used vehicles, they tend to cost more than uncertified cars. However, the premium is worth the value because you are confident of buying a vehicle that is free of any mechanical or aesthetic issues, and sometimes you even get up to one year of road assistance and extended warranties.
Here are things to consider before choosing a CPO vehicle:
Just because the dealership claims a vehicle is certified doesn’t mean you don’t have to ask questions. It is important to know who carried out the certification process. If the dealership certified the vehicle, does it have technicians literate in the models of the make you want to buy? If a third party performed the certification, can the company’s work be trusted? Manufacturer-certified CPO vehicles will likely go through a more rigorous certification process.
Before buying a CPO vehicle, go through the certification and what it offers. Does the warranty period count when you buy the vehicle or start from the original date the first owner bought the car? Will you get roadside assistance or a free loaner car? Ask for clarification if you don’t understand any of the information before signing the deal.
Like every used vehicle, request for the maintenance history before buying a certified used car. Consider having a look at the certification checklist to be sure that it covers every area you would have checked yourself when shopping for an uncertified vehicle.
Regardless of the value you are getting from a certified used vehicle, you can get better deals if you shop around the town of Youngstown, Ohio. A little research can let you know if the dealership’s markup is outrageous or if you are better off going for an uncertified vehicle after paying an experienced mechanic for a detailed inspection.
If everything checks out and you get a good price, don’t forget to ask about refunds and the return policy, just in case you end up not liking the vehicle.
