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

If you’re wondering what the difference is between CPO vs. used vehicles, 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 the Sunnyside area will want to be aware of before shopping for their next car, truck, or SUV.

What to Know About Buying 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 number of previous owners. Because of this, they’re priced at a lower cost than new vehicles and certified pre-owned vehicles. In fact, we even have an inventory of used cars under $10,000 and even used SUVs for sale at Harvest Honda Yakima. Because these vehicles aren’t new, you don’t have to worry about depreciation.

While a car with 100,000 miles or more may seem like a risk, the truth is that some vehicles can last for hundreds of thousands of miles with routine maintenance and care. Even so, remember:

• Standard used vehicles are not required by the OEM to be inspected before being sold. Dealerships like Harvest Honda Yakima can be counted on to still inspect the vehicle for safety and quality, but you should approach private sales with greater caution. Any privately sold used vehicle you’re considering should be inspected by a trusted technician and taken 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. If you plan to purchase it despite any problems, make sure you factor the cost of repairs into your budget. 
• Some cars and SUVs can last more than 200,000 miles with proper care and maintenance, so a high-mileage used car could well be a good option if you’re on a tight budget. 

What to Know About Buying a CPO Car

Certified pre-owned vehicles are used vehicles that have been thoroughly inspected by a factory-trained technician at the dealership. The inspection follows a stringent list of points laid out by the manufacturer. If the vehicle passes inspection, only then can it be considered part of the manufacturer’s certified pre-owned program. 

The requirements for the Honda CPO program are as follows:

• Model year is within five years of the current model year
• Generally less than 80,000 miles, sometimes up to 100,000 miles 
• A multi-point inspection
• Offered with extended warranties and/or limited powertrain warranties

Certified used cars are typically newer models with less mileage. They typically 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 Ellensburg commutes, then you might want to buy a certified pre-owned vehicle.

Shop for Pre-Owned Vehicles at Harvest Honda Yakima

Now that we’ve answered, “What is the difference between used and certified pre-owned?”, it’s time to explore our CPO and used vehicle for sale, then schedule a visit to our showroom, not far from Wenatchee, for some test drives.