If you’re in the market for a used SUV, you might balk at first at the higher prices of Certified Pre-Owned. But look at it this way. Certified Pre-Owned offers the style, reliability, and warranty of late-model cars – as well as peace of mind from an extended warranty, and from the knowledge that it has been thoroughly inspected by the manufacturer before it has even reached you.
Let’s take a look at some of the benefits offered by the top SUV manufacturers for their Certified Pre-Owned vehicles.
If you’ve had your eye on a Ford SUV, you may want to consider the fact that a certified pre-owned model comes with a 3-month or 3,000-mile covering over 500 components, such as transmission, brakes, electrical, and steering. Three months may not seem like a very long time, but Ford throws in 6-year or 60,000 mile warranty for the powertrain. The dealer can offer these warranties because it’s backed by the manufacturer, after a thorough, 169-point inspection. You may well wonder what these points include. First, the vehicle history is checked, to ensure there has never been any major damage to the car. Then a road test is done, which rules out any vehicles that rattle or squeak, and that don’t accelerate, steer, or shift properly. Exterior and interior are both checked for damage and wear; any in evidence must be fixed before the SUV is good enough to warrant the Certified Pre-Owned label. The vehicle must also pass a host of underhood and undercarriage inspection points certify it is in top working order, aligned, and with all fluids topped up. There is even a “convenience” check for items such as alarm switches, key fobs and garage door openers.
Now, what if instead of a Ford SUV, you have your heart set on a Toyota Model, like a Land Cruiser or Rav4? Toyota also boasts a Certified Pre-Owned program with a thorough inspection similar to the one offered by Ford. Toyota’s warranty is considerably longer, however: 12 months or 12,000 miles of comprehensive warranty, and 7 years or 70,000 miles powertrain warranty. Toyota also bestows free roadside assistance on its Certified Pre-Owned customers; Ford offers this service as well. In addition, Toyota’s Pre-Owned website says that certain customers may qualify for lower financing. In general, you can expect to get lower financing on any Certified Pre-Owned SUV because you are more likely to be satisfied with it than you would be with a non-certified car, and hence more likely to keep your certified car and make the payments.
Suppose, on the other hand, you have a more generous budget and nothing would make you happier than to drive a Lexus SUV, perhaps the smaller GX of the deluxe LX. As befits the higher Lexus price point, the Pre-Owned inspections are particularly thorough. “Every detail is inspected by Lexus-trained technicians, right down to first aid kits and spare tires. A small squeak or faint odor is enough to disqualify a vehicle,” claims the Lexus Certified Pre-Owned website. Also, not only does the Lexus program offer 24-hour roadside assistance, it reimburses the driver for expenses incurred, for up to three days, if the car breaks down away from home. Rental car fees will be reimbursed for up to five days. Now it’s hard to argue with a program that makes sure you are so well cared for in the event of a breakdown.
Whichever type of Certified Pre-Owned SUV you are considering, it’s easy to see the advantages Certified Pre-Owned has over regular used cars. Also, as a word of warning, be advised that “third-party certified used cars” have not been through the same programs as the Certified ones. Third-party certifications are not necessarily regulated and should not be counted on to have the same reliability as Certified Pre-Owned programs. Although Certified Pre-Owned may cost more up front, owning one is almost as good as owning a new vehicle, without taking the depreciation hit. It’s also better than having a regular used car, because your financing rate will probably be lower. For many, of course, the additional money up front is well worth the peace of mind provided by the thorough inspection, warranties, and roadside assistance. Perhaps this is why Certified Pre-Owned programs continue their long-standing popularity.