What is the Difference Between Used vs. Certified Pre-Owned?

Tiny car with keys

Wondering what the difference is between used vs. certified pre-owned vehicles? While both categories fall under “used,” there are some important distinctions between what used vehicles vs. certified pre-owned vehicles have to offer that you should be aware of. Learn more in the used vs. certified pre-owned comparison from BMW of Bloomington.

 

What to Know About Buying a Used Car

Used vehicles have been previously driven by other owners and they vary in terms of model year, mileage, and number of previous owners. Because of this, they come with a lower price tag than new vehicles and certified pre-owned vehicles. Here at BMW of Bloomington, we offer a fine selection of used cars priced under $10,000, in addition to a wide variety of used vehicle specials where you can find some of the best deals in the Normal area. 

While a car with 100,000 miles or more may seem like a risk, the truth is that many vehicles can last for hundreds of thousands of miles if they have been kept up to date on routine maintenance and care. Some things to remember when shopping for a used car include:

  • Standard used vehicles are not required by the manufacturer to be inspected before being sold. That being said, here at BMW of Bloomington we have our certified technicians inspect each of our used vehicles for safety and quality. That’s one of the advantages of shopping for a used car at our dealership.
  • Discuss any issues in terms of vehicle condition or performance inorder to ensure the vehicle will meet your Decatur-area driving needs. With any used car however, you factor the cost of maintenance and repairs into your 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 to ensure that they meet the standards of the original manufacturer’s certified pre-owned program. 

The BMW Certified program offers the following:

  • Eligible vehicles must be a late model with more than 300 miles but less than 60,000 miles on the odometer
  • A CARFAX™ or AutoCheck® vehicle history report is provided
  • A multi-point 360° vehicle inspection is performed by a certified BMW technician, and any maintenance or reconditioning is completed using only genuine BMW parts
  • Every BMW Certified vehicle is covered by the BMW Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) Limited Warranty for one year with unlimited mileage, after the original new Vehicle warranty has expired
  • BMW Roadside Assistance coverage is provided for up to six years
  • Special BMW Certified financing offers are available 

Shop for Pre-Owned Vehicles at BMW of Bloomington

Now that you’ve reviewed the differences between used vs. certified pre-owned, you’ll have a better idea of which is the right choice to upgrade your Pekin commute. Explore our pre-owned vehicle specials, and if you plan on financing your used or certified pre-owned vehicle, apply for financing with us online. Please feel free to reach out if you have questions.

 

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