What to Look For in a Certified Pre Owned Program

A certified pre owned program can be an excellent way to get a great used car you can rely on for the road ahead. Here are some of the main things buyers look for from pre owned dealerships.

Inspect Manufacturer Certified Auto Warranties from Pre Owned Car Dealers

Each manufacturer has their own legitimate pre owned certification program for their cars and trucks. However, consumer advocates hear about a surprising amount of cases where confusion over the details of a warranty agreement leads a buyer to think they are getting a manufacturer certified vehicle, when they are actually getting a dressed-up third-party warranty with the manufacturer's name on it. Referring to the automaker in the warranty is not enough. Consumers want to make sure they hold a certification and warranty for the vehicle that has been directly guaranteed by the manufacturer. A good thorough reading of a certified pre owned vehicle warranty will clear this up.

Looking at Deductibles and Restrictions

Another issue that buyers often look at in a certified pre owned vehicle program is whether there are deductibles and other limitations applied to theoretical payouts from the warranty issuer. A deductible may not be a big deal on its own, but it is part of a set of possible exclusions and restrictions that drivers keep an eye on when they throw down extra money for manufacturer certification.

Transferable Warranties

In used car buying, a car shopper is often looking two to three years or more down the road to when they will resell a vehicle. When looking at a certified pre owned warranty program, it makes sense to check on whether the warranty is transferable to a new owner. Many potential buyers will also want to thoroughly research any maintenance requirements that apply to the warranty to see if a certified pre owned program matches their own maintenance philosophy.

The above is a good starting guide to looking at certified pre owned vehicle programs.