What is the Difference Between Used Cars and Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles?

What is the difference between used and certified pre-owned? Many drivers are curious about the distinctions between these categories, and they are actually important. Our team at Allen Samuels Chevrolet is happy to cover the details about what separates used vs. certified pre-owned vehicles and help our Bryan drivers choose the right vehicle for their lifestyle. Keep reading to learn more about used vs. CPO and find the right model for you.

What to Know When Buying a Used Car

Used cars have significant variations in make, model, year, mileage, condition and more. This and the fact that they’ve had previous owners makes them more affordable options for College Station drivers. A big difference between used and certified used cars is the mileage. A used car can have an odometer reading anywhere from tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of miles. As scary as those higher numbers may seem, a regularly serviced car could last you another few years despite a high mileage. Other things to keep in mind when shopping for a used vs. CPO Chevrolet vehicle:

• OEMs don’t require inspection for standard used cars, but Allen Samuels Chevrolet wants to make sure our customers get the highest value for their dollar. We carefully select our used models, but warn you to navigate a private sale with extra caution. Private sellers don’t have the reputation of a well-established dealership.
• Prior to purchase, you should discuss any potential issues that you notice with the dealership or seller. If you plan to purchase the car, even with a few problems, that’s 100% your choice— you’ll want to be sure you factor possible repairs into your shopping budget.
• Some vehicles can last upwards of 200,000 miles if they’ve been properly maintained, and high-mileage used cars can still be a great option, especially if you’re on a strict budget.

Benefits of the Chevrolet CPO Program

What does certified pre-owned mean? Certified pre-owned Chevrolet have previously been owned, but they aren’t the standard used vehicle we discussed above. They must go through a thorough inspection according to the standards of the manufacturer by a certified technician. They’re the upper echelon of used cars due to their strict standards. For Chevrolet to consider a model for part of the CPO Chevrolet program, they must:

• Model year is within six years of the current model year
• Must have less than 75,000 miles
• A 172-point inspection
• Must have a clean title
• Offered with extended warranties and/or limited powertrain warranties

Test Drive a Used or Certified Pre-Owned Chevy, Buick, or GMC Model in Hearne

After exploring the difference between used and certified cars, it’s time to explore our CPO Chevrolet and used vehicles for sale, then schedule a visit to our showroom in Hearne, located just outside of Franklin, for some test drives. Contact us today to schedule an appointment and explore used vs. CPO in person! You can also learn more about Chevrolet from our other guides.