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

If you’re in the market for a pre-owned vehicle in the Minneapolis area, you might be asking “What is the difference between used and certified pre-owned (CPO) vehicles?” While CPO vehicles fall under the same umbrella as used vehicles, they undergo a stricter set of requirements determined by the OEM (original engine manufacturer) before they can have their label. Let’s dive deeper into CPO vs. used cars below with the finance experts at Cornerstone Kia!

What You Need to Know When Shopping Used Cars

Used vehicles have previous owners and they can come in many different forms, such as their makes, models, and year. They are also more affordable than new and CPO cars, which is one of the main highlights when it comes to CPO vs. used vehicles. Sometimes, they are even under $15K! 

Another highlight is their mileage. While both types of cars have some kind of mileage before you own them, used vehicles can have a bigger range of mileage while CPO has to stay under a particular amount set by its OEM. When deciding what is a good mileage for used cars, you will need to consider if the car has been well taken care of. You should also consider the following in addition to the mileage: 

• Dealerships near Maple Grove, like Cornerstone Kia, will inspect every used car before they’re up for sale even though the OEM doesn’t require them to do so. However, when you go to a private seller, you can’t expect that guarantee, so you will need to proceed carefully. 
• If you see any issues with the car, be sure to talk to the seller about it, so you can ask for a lower price and account for the money you will need to spend to repair them should you still buy the car.
• While high-mileage cars seem like a bad idea, they can be a good option if they have been well taken care of (consistent basic maintenance) and if you plan to use it for a while until you purchase a new car. 

What You Need to Know When Shopping for a CPO Car

CPO cars are a portion of the used cars you will see when you are shopping around. They meet high standards that have been required by the OEM, so you will know that you can get more peace of mind as you drive around Andover in it. What’s more is that they will often come with other benefits, such as warranties. If you’re thinking of getting a Kia CPO vehicle, look at all of the requirements and benefits you can enjoy here!

While CPO cars are more expensive than used cars, they are usually newer and have a lower mileage, which is attractive to drivers who want newer features or plan to drive their next car for several years. Keep in mind, they still cost less than a brand new vehicle, so you would still be saving some money or staying within your budget. 

Explore Used vs. CPO Inventory at Cornerstone Kia

Now that you know what the difference between used and certified pre-owned vehicles is, explore our vast inventory at Cornerstone Kia today! We even have used vehicle specials, so you can save more money on your next purchase at our Elk River location.