Are Certified Used Vehicles Here To Stay?
Over a decade ago, the first certified vehicles began appearing on a few dealership lots. Back then, it was a creative strategy for dressing up used cars so the dealers could remove the “used” part of the name. After all, a lot of vehicles that were in perfect condition were coming off short-term leases or being traded in by their owners. The dealers needed a way to take move the inventory without holding the resale value down by selling them as “used.”
Enter the certified vehicle. A car is inspected by a team of auto technicians in order to determine whether it’s in good enough condition to warrant being prepared for certification. Today, nearly every automaker certifies its vehicles as long as they have met certain conditions. In this article, I’ll explain the process of certification and what to do when you need to have repairs performed.
How A Car Receives Certification
When a model comes off a lease or is returned by its owner, a dealership will consider whether it’s a good candidate for certification. If it is, the car is entrusted to a team of auto technicians. That team will use special equipment to bring the parts, systems, and performance back to their original specs (or as closely as possible). Once their work is complete, a limited warranty is offered to make prospective buyers feel more comfortable.
How are candidates for certification chosen? First, each automaker has a given set of standards by which a car is measured before it is even considered. For example, it can’t be more than a certain number of years old. The odometer must not exceed a certain number of miles. If it passes the initial phase of tests, the model undergoes a rigorous inspection that includes review – and possibly upgrading – of all of its parts and systems.
Once the process has been completed, a limited warranty (usually 24 months) is offered to prospective buyers. Normally, the limited warranty will cover repairs and replacement of the powertrain, A/C unit, and the parts that comprise the electrical system.
When You Need To Have Repairs Done
Before purchasing a certified vehicle, find out what entity has offered certification. Drivers often think that an automaker has certified their car and are surprised to discover that the dealership actually did. The difference is that an automaker will cover the cost of any repairs covered by the warranty regardless of which dealership you visit. It doesn’t matter if you relocate in the future; if your powertrain malfunctions, you’ll have recourse.
Also, when you take your certified car in for repairs, make sure that you tell the auto mechanic about the certification and the underlying warranty. They often won’t know and won’t check.
Are pre-owned certified vehicles here to stay? Definitely. They represent a cost-effective alternative to newer models with the peace of mind that many used models cannot provide.
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