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WHAT IS A CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED VEHICLE? 

Typically, a Certified Pre-Owned vehicle is a used car that has gone through a 
rigorous inspection process—and that has an extended warranty beyond the car's 
existing warranty. Other condition are vehicle age, wear and tear, no major body 
damage sustained in its lifetime, and fewer miles than a standard, non-certified used 
car.

As a result of stringent guidelines and strict criteria associated with the CPO 
qualification process, certified pre-owned vehicles are guaranteed, or "certified", by 
the manufacturer. When we refer to CPO, we're referring to manufacturer 
certification programs not individual car dealers. For added peace of mind, 
virtually every certified pre-owned vehicle sold today comes with a comprehensive 
vehicle history report as back-up documentation in addition to comprehensive 
inspections and warranties. 

The following frequently asked questions about CPO are answered for you here: 

• Do Certified Pre-Owned vehicles cost more? 
Yes, CPO vehicles typically cost more money than non-certified vehicles. They may 
be as little as $200 more than a non-certified vehicle or much higher depending on 
the certified process. For some people, paying more money for a manufacturer-
guaranteed vehicle is worth the extra cost. 

• What are some characteristics of a typical CPO warranty program? 
Most certified pre-owned warranties offer limited coverage terms from as short as 
three-months to as long as six or seven years depending on the brand. In addition, 
most manufacturers offer services in addition to the typical warranty coverage as an 
added sales incentive, including 24-hour roadside assistance, loaner vehicles for 
times when your used car is being serviced or repaired, or trip interruption or 
travel expense reimbursement should something happen to your vehicle while 
you're out of town. 

• What's involved with a typical Certified Pre-Owned inspection process? 
Typically, cars that are newer than five years old, with fewer than 50,000—60,000 
miles and solid title histories are the only vehicles considered for certification. Once 
a car passes this initial test phase, it's put through a series of evaluations (further 
defined as the inspection process) to see if it meets the manufacturer's stringent 
guidelines for certification. Most manufacturers offer anywhere from 100-point to 
3011-nnint inspections. Ask you dealer for their certification check list.