The Difference Between a Used and Certified Chevy

Buying a pre-owned vehicle is a great way to save money, but not all used cars are the same. At our Chevy dealership in Blue Springs, MO, there are two broad categories of used vehicles available—there are regular used cars, and then there are our Certified Pre-Owned Chevy vehicles. 

So, what makes a CPO Chevy different from a run-of-the-mill used vehicle? That’s precisely what we’re here to discuss. Read on to find out the benefits of each and discover which one might be best for you. 

Certified Pre-Owned Chevy Benefits 

Nearly all major automakers have a Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) program, including Chevrolet. The specific details and requirements vary based on the brand, but the basic gist is that these are some of the highest quality used cars on the market. They’re hand-picked by the manufacturer, and they come with a variety of available perks that may make them more attractive for used car shoppers. 

• Late model, low miles: Most CPO programs, including Chevy, have strict age and mileage requirements to qualify. In Chevy’s case, the vehicle must be less than 6 years old and have under 75,000 miles, and many are even newer, which gives you more peace of mind and lowers the chance that you’ll have to buck up for major repairs any time soon. 
• Rigorously inspected and refurbished: Another requirement for the Chevy CPO program is that the car must pass a thorough 172-point inspection. It also must have a clean title, and it comes with a complimentary Vehicle History Report. All of this means even more peace of mind, and you won’t need to spend time and money having the vehicle independently inspected. 
• Extended warranty coverage: Yet another major benefit is that all Certified Chevy vehicles come with a 6-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty and a 12-month/12,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty. This free coverage is superior to many other used car warranties, and the program also comes with perks like roadside assistance, courtesy transportation, and a scheduled maintenance program. 
• Enjoy like-new features: Many CPO vehicles are less than a few years old, and this increases the likelihood that you’ll be able to find one with the latest comfort, safety, and infotainment features. 
• More affordable than new vehicles: A Certified Chevy is still a used car, meaning it’ll have depreciated to some extent. Vehicles tend to depreciate significantly in the first few years of their lifespan, so you’ll be able to buy a next-to-new car for a lot less money up front. 
• Better financing rates: Generally speaking, the older a car is, the higher the interest rate will be on a car loan. CPO vehicles tend to sit in a sort of sweet spot—they’re new enough to still have favorable low APR financing, and many brands offer new car financing rates for qualified CPO vehicles. 
• Solid resale value: Thanks to the laundry list of benefits to CPO vehicles, and because many come with transferable warranty coverage, you may be able to own it for a few years and still recoup most of your money if you decide to sell it later on. 

Used Chevy Benefits 

The term “used vehicle” is pretty self-explanatory. It’s any car that’s been owned or leased for a period of time, then traded in or sold. Shopping for a used car can feel a bit daunting because you’ll have to do a little extra work to ensure it’s in good shape, but for shoppers willing to do their due diligence, a used car can provide some of the best value available. 

• The most affordable option: According to Kelley Blue Book, a Certified Pre-Owned car may cost between 2% to 5% more than a comparable used car. This is because a regular used vehicle usually doesn’t go through as thorough of an inspection and doesn’t come with all of the additional advantages of a CPO vehicle. For our lowest prices, shop our selection of used cars priced under $25k. 
• The least depreciation: Generally speaking, new cars depreciate the quickest in their first couple years in service. After that, the rate of depreciation levels off, and as long as the car is well taken care of, it can hold most of its value for years to come. 
• A wider selection: Dealerships tend to have less Certified inventory than used. There are two main reasons for this: CPO vehicles have to meet a higher standard in order to qualify, and they tend to be in high demand. This can make finding a Certified vehicle a bit harder than a garden variety used car. 
• A huge range of features: Since there are more used cars than Certified cars available, you may have an easier time finding a used car that checks all of your boxes, especially if you’re in the market for a specific trim level or engine spec. 
• Can be just as dependable: Certified vehicles are widely considered the gold standard in the world of used cars, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t plenty of high quality used vehicles at your local dealership. 

Certified Pre-Owned Chevy Models near Kansas City 

At Molle Chevrolet, we have an excellent selection of Certified Chevy vehicles and a wide range of quality used cars, so no matter what you’re after, we have you covered. If you’re looking for some of our lowest prices, don’t forget to check out our used vehicle specials. 

Ready to schedule a test drive to discover affordable Chevy vehicles and more in Blue Springs, MO? Contact us online or call us at (866) 774-2669 today.