Certified Used Cars Explained

A certified pre owned car is a used car that passed an inspection and came with added warranty coverage, but what that means depends on who certified it.

What Certified Usually Means

Certified pre owned, often called CPO, is a label for used cars that meet a set of standards. In a manufacturer program, the car usually has to be under a certain age and mileage, pass a multipoint inspection, and have an acceptable history. In return, it comes with extra warranty coverage from the brand.

Buyers often pay more for a certified car than for a similar car without the label. The question is whether the extras are worth the difference for you.

Manufacturer Programs Differ by Brand

Each carmaker runs its own program. The age and mileage limits, the length of the warranty, what parts are covered, and any extras like roadside help all vary by brand. Some programs have more than one tier.

Manufacturer certified cars are usually sold by franchise dealers for that brand. Before you buy, look up the brand's own program rules and read what the certified warranty covers. Ask the dealer for the inspection checklist that was completed on the car.

A Dealer's Own Certified Label

Here is where buyers get tripped up. The word certified is not a legal standard. Any seller can call a car certified. On a lot with no manufacturer program behind the label, certified can mean whatever the seller wants it to mean.

Some dealer programs are fine and include a real warranty. Others are little more than a sticker. Ask these questions.

• Who certified this car, the carmaker or the dealer?
• What exactly was inspected, and can I see the checklist?
• What warranty comes with it, who backs it, and how long does it last?
• Is that warranty a manufacturer warranty or a service contract?

That last question matters. A service contract is not the same as a manufacturer warranty. Our guide on extended car warranties explains the difference.

What Certified Does Not Promise

A certified car is not a perfect car. The inspection is done by the dealer that is selling it. Items can be missed, and wear parts like tires and brakes may only need to meet a minimum.

Certification also does not erase a car's history. Read the vehicle history report yourself, and do not assume the program screened out every problem. Our guide on reading a vehicle history report can help.

Check the Buyers Guide sticker on the window too. Federal rules require it on used cars sold by dealers. It should show the warranty that comes with the car.

Is Certified Worth the Extra Cost?

It can be. A strong manufacturer program adds real coverage, and that has value if a costly part fails. It can also give you a bit more confidence in a car you know little about.

Compare the certified price with similar cars that are not certified. Then ask what the extra money buys. If the coverage is short or the program is only the dealer's own, the premium may not be worth much. The price of a certified car is still open to negotiation, as covered in our guide on how to negotiate a used car price.

You can also see how past buyers rated the dealer in our dealer directory before you visit.

How to Check a Certified Car Yourself

A certified label should make you curious, not relaxed. Do the same checks you would on any used car.

• Ask for the completed inspection checklist, signed and dated, for this exact car.
• Read the certified warranty terms and note when coverage starts and ends.
• Check whether coverage is measured from the car's original sale date or from the day you buy it.
• Ask if there is a deductible and whether the coverage can move to a new owner if you sell.
• Look at the tires and brakes yourself. Ask what was replaced to meet the standard.
• Check for open recalls with the VIN on the NHTSA recall site.

Get every answer that matters in writing. If the dealer says a repair was done or a feature is covered, it should appear on the paperwork you take home.

A Second Look at a Certified Car

An outside check can confirm what the certification says. Our used car inspection covers 122 points, a full OBD-II scan with readiness monitors, a road test, and tire and brake measurements, with photos of anything we find. We go to the dealer, you do not need to be there, and the report comes the same day.

Common Questions

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