If you're currently shopping for a used vehicle, you may have come across the term 'certified pre-owned vehicle'. What is a certified pre-owned vehicle? Here are some useful pieces of information that will shed light on these certification programs!
Certification programs are offered by manufacturers
First and foremost, it's important to know that certification programs for used vehicles don't come from dealerships but rather from manufacturers. Naturally, these programs can vary from one manufacturer to another. Therefore, it's important to check right from the start what specific features are offered among the brands of used cars or SUVs you're shopping for.
Despite the minor differences between certification programs offered by manufacturers, the basic principle remains the same, which is to offer you additional benefits that you wouldn't have when purchasing a non-certified used vehicle.
The benefits of buying a certified vehicle
1- Inspection
When a dealership takes back a vehicle returned from lease, for example, and intends to resell it with the manufacturer's certification program, the first step is inspection. While the number of items or "points" inspected may vary from one brand to another, the objective remains the same: to detect and repair potential problems before selling the vehicle.
So, if you hear about a "181-point inspection," it means a technician has checked 181 elements on the vehicle to ensure everything is in order. These elements range from mechanical aspects (such as checking the condition of fluids) to the bodywork (checking for rust) and even the interior (ensuring the multimedia system functions properly). Once the technician completes the inspection, they will often conduct a test drive to ensure everything is functioning normally.
2- Purchase financing rates
Regardless of the type of loan (auto, home, or even a line of credit), the interest rates associated with it are based on the risk incurred by the lender. Opting for a certified pre-owned vehicle that has undergone rigorous inspection by a qualified technician thus represents a lower risk for the lender. That's why certified used cars or SUVs come with more advantageous financing rates than if they were not certified.
It's not uncommon to see promotional financing rates that are 3% to 6% lower than normal rates, a difference that can have a significant impact on the amount of your payments!
3- Extended warranties
One of the main advantages of opting for a certified pre-owned vehicle lies in extended warranties. Once again, these warranties may vary in duration or allocated mileage from one manufacturer to another. However, virtually all manufacturers offer different options for extended warranties in their certification program. This allows you to customize your protection plan according to your needs.
Note that it is very rare for a non-certified used vehicle to be protected by a warranty, and it is even rarer for it to be a manufacturer's warranty. The peace of mind provided by the extended warranty of your certified pre-owned vehicle is therefore significant.
4- Protections similar to new vehicles
Often, certified pre-owned vehicles also offer many additional protections normally reserved for new vehicles. 24-hour roadside assistance, trip interruption protections, and even exchange privileges for a specified period are some examples.
In conclusion
So, if you're shopping for a used vehicle, it is highly recommended to consider a model that comes with a certification program. By taking advantage of a longer warranty, a more advantageous auto loan rate, and more generous protections, you'll have peace of mind, guaranteed!
To learn more about the various certification programs offered by different brands within the 24 dealerships of Groupe Beaucage, please click on the brand of your choice below:
