What is the Difference Between Used & Certified Pre-Owned?

Are you one of the many Charlotte drivers asking, “What’s the difference between used and certified pre-owned?” This is a common question we receive at Hendrick Cadillac Monroe, and it’s important to know that there is a distinction to be made between both. The Hendrick Cadillac Monroe finance center is here to help you understand the difference between the two, so let’s compare CPO vs. used today! For more information, feel free to contact us anytime!

What You Need to Know About Buying Used

So, what is the difference between used and certified pre-owned? The most important thing to remember about used cars is that they have had previous owner(s), and vary in terms of make, model, mileage, and age. They are also priced lower than certified pre-owned vehicles. Many buyers around Pineville will find this to be an advantage, as the vehicles in this segment are often more attainable.

Used vehicles vary in terms of mileage. When it comes to mileage, you will often see vehicles with as little as 20,000 miles to over 100,000 miles on the odometer. However, higher mileage does not mean that it’s not a good buy. As long as it has a well-documented service history, and has been cared for, it could last for years to come. Here are a few things to consider when buying a used car:

• Manufacturers don’t make it a requirement for traditional used cars to be inspected prior to sale. However, Hendrick Cadillac Monroe values their customers, and wants to make sure they receive the best deal possible. Therefore, our expert service center thoroughly inspects each used vehicle to make sure it’s in exceptional condition. This is why you should be cautious about private sales, as vehicle histories and conditions might be less than favorable.
• Regardless of whether you use a private seller or go through the dealership, you should always let them know about any issues that you during your own inspection and test drive. If the vehicle has a few issues and you still decide to purchase, be sure to factor this into your budget.
• If a vehicle is properly maintained, it can last more than 200,000 miles. It’s not a bad choice to purchase a high mileage used car if you have a smaller budget!

What You Need to Know About Buying a CPO Car

When you purchase a CPO vehicle, it has also had previous owner(s). But, these are often newer, low mileage vehicles that must go through a rigorous inspection to be considered for their respective OEM CPO programs. They include warranties and other perks, similar to buying a new car. These are considered to be some of the best used cars available and are the first choice for many Monroe shoppers. Some of the requirements to be considered for the Cadillac CPO program include:

• Model year is within five years of the current model year
• Generally less than 80,000 miles, sometimes up to 100,000 miles
• A multi-point inspection
• Offered with extended warranties and/or limited powertrain warranties

In all cases, certified used cars are newer with low mileage, however, they are often more expensive than traditional used vehicles because of that. So, if you’re looking to save a bit of money on a newer car, a certified pre-owned vehicle might be the right choice for you.

Find Pre-Owned Vehicles at Hendrick Cadillac Monroe Today!

Now that we’ve compared the difference between CPO vs. used, come see our inventory of used and CPO vehicles today at Hendrick Cadillac Monroe! Meet with our finance center to start the buying process, and be sure to use our used vehicle specials to save big near Concord!