Could someone give me the pros and cons of buying a certified used vehicle vs. used vehicle?

Question

I like the idea of getting a used car from a private seller because you can get some cheaper cars while on the other hand a certified used car the cheapest you can get is one for 11,000 and its a manual. I don't know what to do. A bad thing about buying from a private seller is that you have to pay to get the car inspected around here for 60.00. Should I keep looking around for a used car and pay for inspections or should I buy a certified used car. I really don't want to finance but I can't seem to find a good used car. I also don't want to spend so much on a car because my husband and I are already financing our 1st car. Give me some pros and cons. Thanks!

Answer 1

Certified used: guy with clipboard and name tag with manufacturer's logo on his jumpsuit. Tack on $1000 for this distinguishing criteria.

Regular used from dealer: guy with clipboard and name tag with dealer's logo on his shirt. Read: not "official" manufacturer's employee but still qualified.

Used from private owner: need guy with clipboard to go over the vehicle for a small fee.

That's all tongue-in-cheek, of course. The only difference between CPO and regular dealer stock used is the designated "guy" from the brand who went over the car. Buying from a private seller is cheaper in every way. Unless you get scammed.

Answer 2

certified just means what you see is what you get no hidden things,like for example no paint work no paint damage,no frame damage,actual miles,no surprises,completly checked out.but with a professional detail those cars look great and come with a high price tag.buying some ones used car but buyer beware do sutochecks and car fax and its better to pay 60.00 for a mechanic to check it then to pay thousands of dollars more than what it may be worth...good luck

Answer 3

Pros about certified is that they are inspected, reconditioned and come with a warranty. Con is that they normally cost thousands more than comparable used cars on the market.

Is peace of mind worth thousands of dollars? Not to me.

I've bought lots of used cars and many of them have gone well over 100k miles without a single problem. Just stick to basics like buying reliable models, Carfax check, inspected by a mechanic and you'll be fine.

Answer 4

As K said CPO cars are the same as any other car on a dealers lot accept someone has donned them certified, gave it a SMALL extra warrant and charged you more for the car. Yes certified cars are inspected but every dealer inspecs every used car they get, and most certified cars are only a few years old, so all that extra warranty isnt that great because the car already has factory warranty on it they just extend it a bit, and no matter what they tell you you do pay for it.

When your buying from a private seller you have to go buy what that person tells you, no mechinics inspect the car, no one has fixed any little problems it might have like they do at dealerships, so you do run more of a risk of getting some junker. Thats the reason buying from private sellers is cheaper.

Most of the time if your looking at a car that would be certified its likely a newer car 04- and up so your probably ok buying from a private seller. Just check the car out best as you can, and get a carfax report.