What Makes a Car Certified Pre-Owned?

April 29th, 2024 by


Those shopping for vehicles may have read or heard about the term CPO, but what does this mean? In short, CPO stands for Certified Pre-Owned. However, this differs greatly from typical used vehicles and it doesn’t simply mean slapping on a sticker that says “certified.” 

In fact, there is actually quite a bit that goes into a vehicle achieving the CPO title. Continue reading to learn more about CPO vehicles. 

View Our LCPO Vehicle Inventory


BMW LCPOThe Standards of CPO

A few different characteristics make a car a CPO, which are detailed below:

Car Age and Mileage

Every CPO vehicle must meet its manufacturer’s requirements to achieve certification. The exact standards can vary between manufacturers, but they typically require the vehicle to be relatively new and under a certain mileage. For instance, BMW requires CPO vehicles to be under six years old and have less than 60,000 miles. 

Rigorous Inspection

CPO vehicles must also pass rigorous inspection policies put forth by the manufacturer. The extent of the inspection can also vary between manufacturers, but it will cover the exterior, interior, powertrain, and more. The vehicle will also be road-tested to ensure it runs smoothly and has no problematic noises.

No Major Accidents or Body Damage

To qualify as a CPO, a vehicle has no history of major body or frame damage or accidents. This is an excellent point for buyers, as they know that the vehicle has been decently maintained and nothing is being hidden. In fact, manufacturers will often require a CARFAX report to accompany the vehicle to verify this point. 

Warranty Protection

The final point is that CPO vehicles will also include warranty protection through the manufacturer or dealership selling the vehicle.  The warranty will cover major components, such as the powertrain for up to 120,000 miles in some cases. This helps to protect the buyer if anything goes wrong soon after their purchase.

Why Choose a CPO? 

Everyone would love to buy a new car, but this can be expensive. CPO vehicles allow buyers to get most of the value of a brand-new car at a much better cost. Moreover, depending on their driving habits and lifestyle, CPO may be a much better option for some drivers. 

After all, if they don’t put in many miles on their daily commute, a CPO can last them for many years. Additionally, some valued discontinued models can’t be purchased brand new anymore but could be found as CPO vehicles. 

Ray Catena is Here to Help You Find the Perfect Vehicle

If you are considering a luxury CPO vehicle, Ray Catena is here to help. Our top priority is customer service to ensure you find the right vehicle for you and your family. Our expert team can help guide you through our extensive inventory and answer any questions you may have without pressuring you into a vehicle. 

To learn more or schedule a test drive, contact us online or visit one of our Ray Catena dealership locations. We look forward to helping you find the perfect vehicle.

Learn More About Luxury Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles: