Chevrolet Certified vs Pre-Owned

At C. Harper Chevrolet East, we understand that not everyone wants to get behind the wheel of something brand new. Often, you can get a car of equal quality for a significantly reduced price.

Well, if you’ve taken new cars out of your buying equation, then you’re essentially down to two options: pre-owned or certified pre-owned (CPO). But what’s the difference between the two? How is one going to benefit your rides around New Alexandria, Monroeville, and Irwin, PA, more than the other?

Below, our team will answer all your questions in our Chevrolet certified vs. pre-owned car comparison guide.

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN CPO AND PRE-OWNED

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On the surface, certified pre-owned and pre-owned cars are strikingly similar. They’re both vehicles that people have previously driven and are up for sale once again. However, once you dig just a bit deeper, you’ll quickly learn they’re very different.

PRE-OWNED

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Pre-owned vehicles are much more straightforward. They can be of any make, model, or year, and are likely marked at much lower prices than new—or even CPO—cars.

These vehicles can also be sold from one of two places. You can buy them from private sellers, many of whom sell their used cars online. Or you can find them at local dealerships, who often boast vast inventories of used cars from a variety of manufacturers.

CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED

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CPO cars, on the other hand, have much more to them. Depending on the manufacturer, they typically fall between just 5 or 6 years old. If they’re any older, they likely won’t qualify for the manufacturer’s CPO program.

Speaking of which, CPO vehicles are only given that title by meeting a certain set of standards set by the given manufacturer’s certified pre-owned program. Along with their production year, a vehicle usually needs to be within a certain milage range to be considered certified pre-owned. Additionally, they have to pass a multi-point inspection to ensure high-quality condition, and come with a comprehensive vehicle history report.

Unlike pre-owned vehicles, you’re likely only going to find CPO vehicles for sale at your local dealership. They also come with a long list of additional benefits that often include limited warranty coverage and roadside assistance.

SHOPPING PRE-OWNED VS CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED

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Fortunately, the search process for both pre-owned and certified pre-owned vehicles is about the same. This is especially true if you’re looking at our dealership for either.

You’ll typically find that dealerships feature extensive pre-owned and certified pre-owned inventories. There might be a bit more variety in the selection of pre-owned cars, since you’re looking at vehicles from a much larger range of production years. Nonetheless, CPO vehicles will still be in abundance at dealerships, and you’ll still have an assortment of vehicle makes to choose from.

PRE-OWNED VS CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED FINANCING

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Much like the search process, the actual car-buying experience is more or less the same for pre-owned and certified pre-owned vehicles. The only difference you might find is if you’re purchasing your pre-owned car through a private sale.

However, if you plan to buy or lease with our Chevy dealership, it all starts with a meeting with our financing team. After you’ve found the perfect pre-owned or CPO car, you can go over your needs and discuss your buying options with our team. Then, they’ll get to work with local banks and lenders to find you a range of offers or loans that fit the bill.

You’ll also have a slew of online financing tools at your disposal. Some of them include:

• Finance Application
• Get a Quote
• Value Your Trade Tool

You can even take it a step further with our Chevy Shop. Click. Drive. Program. With this, you can quickly search for your favorite Chevy model, create a finance deal that works for you, and even get your car delivered right to your door.

FIND A PRE-OWNED OR CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED RIDE WITH EASE

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Whether you’re buying pre-owned or certified pre-owned, we hope you turn to C. Harper Chevrolet East. We provide a massive selection of both vehicle types, and we’ve been proudly serving the New Alexandria, Monroeville, and Irwin, Pennsylvania, communities for years.

To learn more about the pre-owned vs. certified pre-owned comparison—or to schedule a test drive—call or visit us today!