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

If you’re wondering what the difference is between Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) vs. used vehicles in Orland Park, you’re not alone. Technically, both categories of vehicles fall under “used”, however, there are important distinctions between used and certified pre-owned that drivers in Orland Park will want to be aware of before shopping for their next car, truck, or SUV. Read more about the differences between CPO vs. used vehicles below!

What is a Used Car?

Used vehicles are simply vehicles that have been previously driven by other owners. They vary in terms of model year, mileage, and the number of previous owners. Because of this, they are priced at a lower cost than new and pre-owned vehicles. In fact, we even have an inventory of used cars under $10,000 for sale in Tinley Park for you to browse.

While it may seem like a car with 100,000 miles or more is a risk, the truth is that some vehicles can last for hundreds of thousands of miles with routine maintenance and care. Even so, when you’re buying a new car it’s important to remember this checklist:

• Thoroughly inspect any used vehicle you’re considering and take it for a test drive before making an offer.
• Discuss any issues in terms of vehicle condition or performance that arise, to ensure the vehicle is fit for your needs and safe to drive.

What is a CPO Car?

In order to become a Certified Pre-Owned vehicle, car, trucks, and SUVs must meet certain standards to be considered. These standards vary from brand to brand, but in general, these are the criteria that must be met:

• Model year is within five years of the current model year
• Generally less than 80,000 miles, sometimes up to 100,000 miles
• It must pass a multi-point inspection
• It must have a transparent vehicle history with a clean title
• Offered with extended warranties and/or limited powertrain warranties

Because of these strict standards, certified cars are usually newer models with less mileage than used cars. They also come at a higher price than used cars, but they’re still more affordable than a new car. If you’re looking for more updated features for your New Lenox commutes but want to avoid a car with a lot of miles, then a certified pre-owned vehicle may be the right choice for you!

Shop for Pre-Owned Vehicles at Bettenhausen Automotive

Now that we’ve answered, “What is the difference between used and certified pre-owned?”, come explore our vehicle inventory, used truck inventory, and more, then schedule a visit to our showroom, not far from Mokena, for a test drive. You can also visit our service center to take advantage of our service specials and to see how our expert mechanics can fix your car with our genuine mopar parts!