Everything You Need to Know About Certified Pre-Owned Cars

If you’re on the hunt for a used car, you may have heard the term Certified Pre-Owned – or CPO – tossed around. You might think it’s just another term for a used car, but in fact, CPO is a very unique distinction assigned to cars, trucks, and SUVs that meet specific quality standards. Visit Newton Chevrolet GMC, your Murfreesboro used car dealer, and you’ll quickly see the difference between our used inventory and our CPO inventory.

CPO vehicles are only available at authorized dealerships for one important reason: the factory determines the criteria by which these vehicles are measured. In other words, CPO vehicles must meet a strict set of criteria set out by the manufacturer and earn the certification only after undergoing rigorous inspection and reconditioning.

Buying a used vehicle often comes with risk, especially if you shop with private sellers or decide to plugin with one of the new app-based touchless car buying services. While it’s always possible to find a diamond in the rough, without a comprehensive plan that includes finding a mechanic to inspect the car you want to buy and generating an expensive CARFAX report, you’re rolling the dice on quality. There’s a better way, one that is nearly foolproof. Three simple letters can mean the difference between hassle-free ownership and ending up with a lemon: CPO.

What Is a CPO Vehicle?

Put simply, CPO vehicles are a cut above other used cars. Let’s take a closer look at General Motors’ CPO certification process to put it in perspective. Called GM Certified, the program is designed to ferret out the best used inventory on dealer showroom floors and reward buyers with extra warranty coverage and other benefits when they choose to buy CPO. To qualify for a CPO distinction, Chevys and GMCs must be less than 6 model years old, cannot exceed 75,000 miles on the odometer, and must come with a clean title, which means no major accidents or water/flood damage and no salvage title status. It’s very common for dealers to add off-lease vehicles to CPO inventory, as these cars are typically returned in excellent condition and because the previous owner adhered to strict mileage limitations, they easily qualify for GM’s odometer requirements.

Once a vehicle passes the qualification standards, it’s put through a rigorous 172-point inspection. Qualified technicians examine every inch of the car, including mechanical components, electronics and infotainment, and exterior body panels. They’re looking for evidence of excessive wear and tear or other damage, as well as confirming that equipment and components are in excellent working order. The inspection is so detailed, in fact, that technicians are called upon to repair even the smallest door dings.

After the inspection, the vehicle is thoroughly reconditioned. Newer CPO vehicles even retain the desirable new car smell, leaving buyers to wonder why they’d ever buy new again. Buyer’s remorse is also a thing of the past when you opt for a CPO vehicle because GM offers a 3-Day/150-Mile exchange policy with no questions asked. It’s the epitome of peace of mind.

What Is a 172-Point Inspection?

If you service your car at a certified dealer, you might notice that inspections are part of your vehicle’s recommended scheduled maintenance. These inspections typically include fuel lines, brake systems, and other components that must be in good working order for optimal performance and to maintain the highest levels of safety. When qualifying a vehicle for CPO status, authorized factory-certified technicians perform a much more comprehensive inspection that includes 172 steps. Nothing is overlooked and every bulb, switch, and bolt is examined for quality and operability.

First, technicians investigate the vehicle’s history, determining whether it’s still covered by the original factory warranty and then pulling a vehicle history report. Diagnostically, the car is hooked up to a machine that determines if there are any vehicle trouble codes. It’s also inspected for any aftermarket accessories that could impact the warranty or the vehicle’s performance.

The inspection includes 17 maintenance steps, including performing a simple oil and filter change, inspecting air filters, wiper blades, all hoses and belts, and replacing any that are past their useful life. Finally, all fluids are replaced or topped off as needed during the mechanical phase of the inspection. Next, tires and brakes are thoroughly inspected and repaired or replaced as necessary, so the end result is like new.

After passing mechanical requirements and receiving necessary repairs or service, the vehicle heads to detailing. The interior and exterior are deep cleaned, and any stains or lingering odors are eliminated. The exterior is checked for dings or dents, then washed and waxed for a like-new appearance.

Benefits of Buying CPO

Along with knowing your vehicle is completely restored to a nearly new condition, driving home in a CPO means you’re covered against unforeseen mechanical issues and even a cooling-off period that gives you up to three days to decide if the vehicle is right for you. If you hate it, bring it back and exchange it for another one. It’s that easy.

Every GM CPO vehicle comes with a 12-month/12,000-mile bumper-to-bumper limited warranty with no deductible. It covers almost everything, giving you a year of worry-free ownership. To further peace of mind, GM also includes a 6-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty that covers the car’s most expensive equipment, like the engine and transmission. CPO buyers also receive 24/7 Roadside Assistance, a handy benefit that eliminates the stress of being stranded if the vehicle encounters mechanical issues. The comprehensive program also provides courtesy transportation and even reimburses drivers when alternative transportation is necessary.

Perhaps most exciting is that CPO cars come with two free scheduled maintenance visits. You’ll receive two complimentary oil and filter changes, two tire rotations, and two comprehensive multi-point inspections. You’ll also relax knowing maintenance is performed by qualified, factory-trained technicians in a state-of-the-art certified facility that only uses genuine GM parts.

Finally, your CPO vehicle includes a free three-month SiriusXM Satellite Radio trial, and you can try out OnStar, GM’s connected service with access to live operators who are there when you need them. Services include Automatic Crash Response, which detects when the airbags deploy and contacts emergency services automatically. It also includes advanced vehicle diagnostics and turn-by-turn navigation.

Other CPO benefits are not as tangible but no less desirable. Consider this: because CPO cars are newer and have low mileage, the previous owner – who likely bought the car new – took on the initial depreciation. New cars depreciate in value substantially in the first year of ownership, so by the time you buy it, the car’s value has stabilized, and you’ll enjoy all the benefits not only of a high-quality vehicle but also the savings that come from buying used.

Additionally, CPO vehicles are in excellent mechanical condition and come with two years of free scheduled maintenance, so you can expect a very low cost-of-ownership compared with buying a traditional used car as is. Lastly, because you can only buy CPO cars at certified dealerships, you’re establishing a long-lasting relationship with a facility that can be there for all your driving needs.

A Better Way to Buy Used

Not everyone knows about CPO cars and all the benefits they offer. With the popularity of leasing exploding over the past few years, the market is flooded with end-of-lease cars that easily qualify for CPO status. Tons of great inventory, a rock-solid set of guarantees, and incredible value make choosing a Certified Pre-Owned model a no-brainer.