What is the Difference Between Used and Certified Pre-Owned Cars?

While Milton drivers have most likely seen both terms whenever they are car shopping, the differences between a used and certified pre-owned car are not always obvious, especially since they are both under the used car category. Learn more about the distinctions that you should know before purchasing your next car in the Pensacola area. Meanwhile, reach out to us if you have any questions.

Buying a Used Vehicle 

To learn what the difference between used and certified pre-owned cars is, let’s first explore what buying a used car involves. Used cars are vehicles that have been previously driven by other owners and come with different histories, whether that is model year, mileage, or the number of previous owners. As a result, they cost less than new vehicles and certified pre-owned vehicles; some are even priced under $10,000 and there are used car offers. Another upside is that Fort Walton Beach drivers don’t have to worry about depreciation. 

Along with these benefits of buying a used car, a used vehicle can also be a good buy when it can last for hundreds of thousands of miles with routine maintenance and care, even if it has 100,000 miles or more. For Milton drivers on a tight budget, a high-mileage used car might be the answer. However, do keep in mind that:

• The Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) doesn’t require standard used vehicles to be inspected before being sold. That’s why you should rely on Sandy Sansing Chevrolet, Inc. as our experienced service team inspect all of our used cars. If you are thinking of buying a privately sold used vehicle, you should get it inspected by a trusted technician and take it for a test drive before making an offer.
• Ask about the vehicle’s condition and performance, so you can be aware of any issues before you drive the car on the Crestview roads. If you plan to buy a car with known issues, factor the cost of repairs into your budget. 

Buying a Certified Pre-Owned Vehicle

If you want to purchase your next car with more guaranteed peace of mind, then you should look into buying a certified pre-owned vehicle. They have been thoroughly inspected by a factory-trained technician at the dealership, following specific guidelines from the OEM. Check out the guidelines it takes for a used car to be a Chevrolet CPO vehicle: 

• Be within the current 6 model years
• Be within a maximum of 75,000 vehicle miles
• Have a clean title and pass a Vehicle History Report 

Since certified pre-owned vehicles are newer models and have lower mileage, they are more expensive than used cars but are still cheaper than new ones. You can also enjoy more updated features in certified used cars. 

Find Your New-To-You Car at Sandy Sansing Chevrolet, Inc.!

Now that you know the answer to the common question “What is the difference between used and certified pre-owned cars?”, it’s time to browse the used and certified pre-owned vehicles for sale at Sandy Sansing Chevrolet, Inc.. Want to trade in your current car? Value your trade with our online tool and while you’re on our website, you can also find out how to shop for your next car entirely online!