New cars are great, but they can be expensive and lose some of their value as soon as they are driven off the lot. A certified pre-owned car is a great option for a budget friendly alternative.
The Difference Between Pre-owned and Certified Pre-owned
When you buy a used car you buy it as is. There is no warranty or guarantee that it will work for more than a couple of blocks. It most likely has not been looked over by a mechanic, so it is the definition of buyer beware.
That is not to say that every used car is a risk or a waste of money, there is simply no standard that a normal used car is held to. If it can start, it can be sold. Whatever happens after that is on the person who purchased the vehicle.
Certified pre-owned cars are checked out and backed by a certified mechanic. They usually are within 10 years old and haven’t been in any major accidents. Their Carfax information is up to date and the car can easily be looked up. They often come with a warranty, which is something that a regular used car will not have.
Why a Certified Pre-Owned Car Costs More
When you are looking for a used car, the main reason is probably the cost. On average a used car costs a fraction of what a new car costs. So if you are looking to save money you might shy away from a certified used car because it can be more expensive than a regular used car.
Even if you plan to buy your used car off of a reputable lot there is no guarantee that it will be free of problems. Once you drive it off of the lot it is yours as is. A certified pre-owned car takes away the risk of buying any old used car.
That is also the reason a certified used car costs more. It is checked by certified mechanics and detailed making it almost like new. Not every car qualifies for certified pre-owned status. If the car has been in multiple accidents or is older it will not be certified.
Why Buy a Certified Pre-Owned Car VS a New Car
You are in the market for a new car, so why would you settle for a certified pre-owned option? Did you know that as soon as you drive a new car off of the lot it loses some of its value? As soon as it leaves the lot it is no longer worth the amount you agreed to pay. It is only worth its wholesale value and its value drops by at least 15 to 20 percent every year after that.
On top of that, you can usually get more car for your money when you purchase a certified pre-owned vehicle. A new smaller compact car could be just as much as a certified used car that has more features and legroom.
We all love that new car smell, and there are advantages to buying a new car. You don’t have to worry about any wear and tear on the parts, it will come with a warranty, and it’s new! However, if you compare certified pre-owned options versus a new car, you might be surprised at just how much more of a car you can get for the same price or less.
What About Safety
A new car will have the most up to date safety features. That doesn’t mean that a certified pre-owned vehicle is not safe. When it is inspected all of its safety features are inspected as well. Since most certified used cars are under 10 years old and have not been in a major accident, the safety features on them will still be in good condition.
A used car on the other hand could have a number of problems that the person selling the car will not tell you about. They may not know themselves or they could intentionally be keeping that information from you. Not every used car is a bad investment, but it is a risk.
In the southern California area you have many options for buying a new, used, or certified pre-owned vehicle. However, you won’t find a better selection or friendlier sales staff than Southern California Ford Dealers. We are a collection of dealerships throughout the southern California area. You can check out our entire selection of inventory online or stop by one of our many locations. Our friendly and knowledgeable staff will help find the best car for you. Check us out today!
