Is buying a "Certified" used car worth it?

Question

I want to buy a compact used car about $10,000-$13,000 and wonder if it is worth it to buy it "certified".

I am thinking maybe Honda Civic or Toyota Carolla.

Answer 1

If it actualy is certified, yes. I bought a certified pre-owned Ford, & they missed, or didn't even look, a bent loer control arm in the front. If they had driven it, they would have seen the steering wheel ****** to one side. When I took it back, almost immediately, they did fix it, but then they told me that the frame was slightly bent from the impact...they straightened it as best they could...but it is still out.
Make SURE it is certified, & if you have *any* problem, get back to them ASAP!

Answer 2

Hi Crystal,

Great question, and one that as you can see has different opinions.

One factor to consider, it's still a used car, and any used car is subject to have problems. Of course if everyone could afford new cars then there wouldn't have been over 45 million used cars sold last year. That's not to say that used cars aren't a good buy, they can be if it's in good mechanical shape, hasn't been wrecked etc.

Certified cars are supposed to be inspected, brought up to standards and then resold. This process has many flaws and is really dependent on the dealer, the technician doing the inspection and the degree of inspection required by the manufactuer.

If the dealer follows ALL the rules regarding it's certification process then you should be relatively safe. You'll always pay more for a certified used car, sometimes as much 1500-2000 versus a non-certified. But you will typically have more advantages, such as warranty, road side assistance etc.

You should still be careful, I urge you to read the article at the link below, it will give you some more insight with the process of certified used cars.

Click on the article titled "Are Certified Used Cars Really Up To Standards"

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

Jerry Christopher
http://www.usedcarwise.com
(Former service director of multi line
dealerships)

Answer 3

if i was you, i would definitely look at buying a new car. Why? because nowadays many so called "certified" cars are not really checked to high standards and you probably don't know what the history of the car. The prices you metioned sound reasonable to get a "certified" car, i suggest that you should get a new one because you would save the headaches and worries if your "certified" car shall ever have problems down the line. Just be very cautious on choosing, besides its your money and you want a good investment...and i would highly suggest the corolla over the honda...excellent in gas and a thousand dollar cheaper than the honda.....

Answer 4

My current car was a 'certified' used car and I have had no problems with it. Except for the fact that I put way too many miles on vehicles. I see nothing wrong in going that route, but to each their own. I've bought used and new...the car that I had the most problems with was my first new car that I purchased...the two used ones I bought in recent years (both were just a year old and absolutely loaded...one thing about the used, you can get slightly used with every option you want and pay a lot less than buying new), anyway the two used ones I bought in recent years, I have had no problems with...except for the first one was a victim of driver error (mine) and suffered a horrific end and the second I'm still driving, even though I've abused it (i.e. leaving the sunroof cracked during a torrential downpour in a parking lot with shopping carts and high winds).

Answer 5

"Certified" can mean anything. Each dealer and manufacturer can have a Certified Used Car" program, and it can mean anything they want it to. Most undergo some type of inspection, and have some type of warranty. Some manufacturers offer better financing rates on the "certified cars".

The best thing to do is have any car that you are seriously considering checked out my your own qualified mechanic. It may cost you $50-$100 for this, but it is well worth the money if it prevents you from buying a problem!

Answer 6

Both the civic and the corolla are excellent cars for the money. If you purchase a "certified" unit, you can purchase an extended warranty at reduced cost, due to the additional work that has gone into the certification process. It's a good value for the extra money.

Answer 7

The dealer is not obliged to tell you about faults, but he cannot say some thing is there that is not and cannot say there is nothing wrong with it apart from the wheel bearing if there is some other thing/s. If you have a camera phone or a digital camera photograph the passenger side of dashboard, the loose lock barrell, the dropped window, the bumper and door. As you have not paid for it, take it back to the dealer and tell them it is not as described. When he tells you he will sue you for breach of contract tell him to go ahead, tell him what photo's you have taken and that they will be produced in open court. He will not sue you! The car is a lemon and what you have found so far will just be the tip of the ice berg.

Answer 8

Its worth it provided that you know what "certified" really means. Find out exactly what their definition is. Even though it varies from dealer to dealer, usually this means that the vehicle has been inspected to determine that there are no major mechanical or structural defects. Understand that this does not mean that the vehicle will not have any problems and that will it never break down.

Answer 9

My rule of thumb is to never buy a used car because obviously there was something wrong with it if the person got rid of it and for the price you are will to pay you would be better off spending alittle bit more and get a new car like the honda civic then you will have a full warranty.

Answer 10

Definitely, a certified car has been thorougly gone through and comes with a much better warranty than the typical "used car".