Used vs Certified Pre-Owned in Fairfield, OH

If you’re looking for a new ride, buying a used car can help you save money and avoid depreciation. The process of purchasing a used car can be complicated, especially when it comes to terms like certified pre-owned. It can be difficult to understand exactly what that means and how it affects your car-buying process. Here’s everything you need to know about the difference between used and certified pre-owned.

What Is a Used Car?

A pre-owned car is a vehicle that someone else leased or purchased new, then sold after using it for a period of time. Used cars can vary from being a few months old to being several decades old, depending on the car and what it was used for. When you purchase a new car, you experience a steep depreciation once you drive it off the lot, and purchasing a used car can help you avoid that.

Used cars have already gone through this initial drop in value prior to you purchasing them. Though purchasing a used car can help you save money, there are also some downsides. When you opt for a used car instead of a brand new one, you may not receive a warranty to cover mechanical issues.

This is especially true if you purchase the car through a private seller. When purchasing a used car, you may not have much information about the maintenance that car has received and whether it’s been involved in any serious collisions. Unless you’re mechanically inclined, it can be difficult to assess a used vehicle and know if it’s functioning as it should, which can create potential safety issues.

What Is a Certified Pre-Owned Car?

A certified pre-owned vehicle is one that a dealership deems reliable and safe. Certifying programs for used cars seek to solve some of the problems mentioned above with purchasing used vehicles. When a pre-owned car becomes certified, that means the dealership has completed a thorough inspection of the vehicle to ensure it’s safe and high quality.

This often happens for cars that are only a few years old, as they maintain much of their value when drivers trade them in for newer models. The certifying process for different manufacturers can differ, but for Honda, there’s a strict set of rules regarding which vehicles can become certified pre-owned. Certified pre-owned Honda vehicles are no more than six years old, and go through a rigorous 182-point inspection.

During this inspection, the technicians may identify potential mechanical issues and fix them using factory parts. This helps you rest easy knowing the mechanical components are either functioning or new. When you purchase a certified pre-owned Honda, you can be sure the car is in stellar shape and ready for you to get behind the wheel.

Benefits of Purchasing a Used Car

Finding and buying a new ride can be an expensive and difficult process, and there can be many benefits to purchasing a used car instead of going for a brand new one. These are some benefits you may experience when purchasing a used car:

• Less up-front cost: When you purchase a used car, you pay a fraction of the price you may pay for the same car when it was brand new. For example, when buying a vehicle from 2017 or 2018 instead of a vehicle from 2023 or 2024, you can save thousands of dollars.
• Avoid depreciation: A large portion of the depreciation a vehicle incurs happens as soon as it’s no longer brand new. This means when you purchase a used car, you experience lower depreciation rates while you have it, so you can sell it for a price closer to what you paid.
• Lower insurance premiums: Because used cars have less value, you may pay less in insurance to cover them. For example, if your car is worth $15,000 instead of $20,000, the insurance company may offer lower premiums because they won’t have to pay as much to replace it.
• Savings on registration: Depending on where you live, you may find older cars have lower rates for annual registration. Used vehicles are more likely to pass thresholds for registration, which can help you save money.
• Eco-friendly: When vehicles are produced, they affect the environment. By purchasing a used car, you’re giving that vehicle more use for the impact it’s already had, making it more eco-friendly.

Benefits of Purchasing a Certified Pre-Owned Car

When purchasing a used car, you may not be sure about its reliability or history. A certified pre-owned car can solve some of those problems and provide some additional benefits. For example, when you purchase a certified pre-owned vehicle, you may get varying levels of warranties for the powertrain and other mechanical issues, depending on how old the car is. Purchasing a used car can be uncomfortable, especially for new buyers. However, with a certified program, you can get peace of mind knowing the car is a good investment.

Buying a Certified Pre-Owned Car with Performance Honda

Here at Performance Honda, you’re part of the family. From the moment you speak with one of our experts or walk through the doors, we ensure you have the support you need. We can help you determine which used car is best for your lifestyle and budget, help you schedule a test drive, review your options, and walk you through the financing process.

You can browse our certified pre-owned inventory online and complete financing information prior to visiting the dealership to make the process quicker. If you prefer texting or emailing, you can communicate with our team that way, too. From start to finish, we assess your situation and provide the help you need to buy a certified pre-owned Honda.

Your service doesn’t end when you leave with your new ride. You can always speak with our team members to review information about your purchase, seek further support, or schedule maintenance with our services and parts department. We love to see our happy customers return again and again, so don’t hesitate to come by with questions or concerns or even just to say hi.

We hope this guide has been helpful for you in better understanding the differences between a used car and a certified pre-owned car. You can use this information to help you navigate the used car-buying process with more confidence. If you’re looking for a reliable certified pre-owned vehicle, consider browsing our inventory. For further information, to schedule a test drive, or to ask questions, you can contact our team of professionals, who are always happy to help.