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

At Anchor Auto Outlet, we receive a lot of questions on a regular basis from Raleigh drivers about different topics. One of the most common has been, “What is the difference between used and certified pre-owned vehicles?” To be honest, there’s some important distinctions. We’ve gotten this question so often, we decided it’s Summary Time!

Read on to learn about the differences between CPO vs. used cars in Cary. You can also check out our pre-owned vehicle and find something budget-conscious that meets your needs.

Used Car Buying: What You Need to Know

When discussing “What is the difference between used and certified pre-owned?,” we need to do some definitions. Used vehicles are those that have been previously owned and will vary in make, model, year, mileage, etc.

Due to these factors, they’re often considerably cheaper than new and certified pre-owned models. A lot of Cary owners should be happy to know we even have a section of vehicles under $10k. Our team is pleased to offering you more variety and budget-friendly options!

Another aspect where CPO vs used vehicles vary is in the mileage. While a used car with 100,000 miles might seem like a risk, it’s actually not so. Many vehicles can last for hundreds of thousands of miles with regular (documented) service and maintenance. At any rate, when considering a used vehicle, the following steps are important:

• Many dealerships, including Anchor Auto Outlet, thoroughly inspect their used vehicles before selling them. That gives you an extra buffer level, in contrast to private sellers where it’s you versus the private owner’s word.
• If you notice any potential issues, address it to the salesperson or dealer you’re working with. For those who consider purchasing a used vehicle with potential repair costs, you’ll be taking those on yourself. Remember that when factoring into your budget.
• If you do the regular service and maintenance checks as expected by your vehicle’s service manual, it can last upwards of 200,000 miles or more. Remember that when worried about a high mileage used vehicle!

Buying a CPO Car: What You Need to Know

Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) vehicles have also had previous owners, yet it’s not the same as most used cars. These pre-owned vehicle selections have been thoroughly inspected and are backed by the original manufacturer warranties. Not to mention, this inspection is very rigorous and has been done by a model certified technician. They’re the gold standard of used vehicles and only models that have passed this thorough inspection and meet the manufacturer’s CPO program standards meet this title. For example, the requirements common to many Certified Pre-Owned models often including the following:

• 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.

Certified Pre-Owned vehicles tend to be newer models with far less mileage. They will also come at a higher price than most used cars, yet they’re more budget-friendly than a newer vehicle. For more upgraded features on your Raleigh drive, consider a pre-owned vehicle selection.

Shop For Pre-Owned Vehicles at Anchor Auto Outlet

Now that we’ve answered, “What is the difference between used and certified pre-owned?”, Experience them in person at Anchor Auto Outlet! We have a wide selection of used vehicles including from major brands, Jaguar, Tesla, Mercedes-Benz, Toyota, and more! You can also save some money by considering our pre-owned vehicle specials and even learn about car financing with our informative post. Explore our vehicles at Anchor Auto Outlet. See you shortly!