Certified Used Cars Facts
The Facts Behind Certified Used Cars
“Certified” is stamped on everything from ground beef to legal documents these days. It’s also the latest buzzword – and big business – in used car sales. There are many advantages to purchasing a certified used vehicle – if buyers understand the certification process, know the questions to ask, and are aware of additional “perks” they can obtain.
The Process – How Used Cars are Certified
The certification process begins when a vehicle is removed from a rental fleet, the lease on a vehicle expires, an automobile is traded in for the purchase of a new one, or a dealer purchases a vehicle via wholesale auction for resale to consumers. The next step is a thorough inspection.
A well-conducted inspection is rigorous and comprehensive – 100 points or more, including all major systems and components such as brakes, steering, suspension, transmission, electrical, and air conditioning and heating. Components that do not pass are either repaired or replaced.
One example of a used car dealer that follows a professional certification process is Enterprise Car Sales, a division of Enterprise Rent-A-Car, which closely monitors its fleet of 700,000 vehicles. Before arriving on an Enterprise Car Sales lot, all used cars for sale undergo a 109-point inspection by an ASE-certified technician. Enterprise, which prices its certified vehicles at unbelievably low prices, backs all of its vehicles with a 12-month/12,000-mile limited powertrain warranty2, and a 7-day repurchase agreement3 should a customer change their mind about the purchase.
The Questions
Certification doesn’t always ensure the quality of an automobile, so buyers should be sure to verify the details of the dealer’s certification process by asking these questions:
- Can I have a copy of the inspection checklist? A dealer should acknowledge what they inspected.
- How long did the inspection take? To properly evaluate an automobile is a time-consuming procedure.
- Who, exactly, inspected the vehicle? Ensure the inspection is performed by a technician who has passed industry standard qualifications, such as an ASE-Certified technician.
The Perks of Certified Used Cars
In addition to the peace of mind that buyers experience when purchasing a certified used car, they often receive many of the same benefits as new vehicle customers. Many dealers accept trade-ins, offer financing and make vehicle service contracts available. Some even offer no-haggle pricing so buyers can avoid unpleasant negotiation. Then, to ensure long term satisfaction, they back their certified used cars with an additional warranty and 24-hour roadside assistance.
Make the most of your next used car purchase by ensuring your dealer follows a thorough certification process, answers all of your questions and offers the added perks that contribute to your piece of mind at the point of purchase and miles down the road.