Unveiling the Secrets of Shopping Certified Pre-Owned: Chevy Edition

Years ago, buying a used vehicle came with a risk that few people were willing to take. Unless they were skilled mechanics, potential buyers only knew what the buyer told them about the vehicle. They could look under the hood and inspect every inch of the model, but unless they knew what to look for, it was nothing more than a gut feeling and guess. As a result, there was a significant level of uncertainty even when purchasing a used model from a dealership. It was nearly impossible to know precisely what you were buying and getting.

Fortunately, your search for a certified used Chevy dealer is an entirely different matter. Advancements in the automotive industry and tools like comprehensive vehicle history reports make buying a used vehicle more enticing than ever. In fact, the used car market sells more units than the new car industry, which speaks volumes about just how far the industry has come.

But what about the Certified Pre-Owned badge makes buying a used car even more enticing? Automakers like Chevrolet believe customers deserve to have confidence in their purchases. As a result, Chevrolet has created an exceptional Certified Pre-Owned program that engineers confidence with the guarantee that you’re getting the most for your money as you get behind the wheel of a top-quality vehicle that will serve you many miles down the road.

What Is Certified Pre-Owned?

The Certified Pre-Owned badge carries a lot of weight in the industry, especially at DePaula Chevrolet. Why? Because the badge signifies that the vehicle is legions beyond your standard or average used model. It represents the extra work we put into the model to give you confidence in its quality and your purchase. But what exactly does this mean when shopping for a Certified Pre-Owned Chevrolet?

Chevy’s Certified Pre-Owned Program

Chevrolet markets its Certified Pre-Owned selection as “a better kind of used vehicle,” and it’s easy to see why. Like us, Chevrolet believes drivers deserve to have confidence in their purchases today, tomorrow, and every day afterward. Engineering this confidence begins long before you arrive at the dealership and officially starts when a used model arrives on our lot and is considered for Chevy’s Certified Pre-Owned badge.

Chevrolet’s Certified Pre-Owned models are held to higher standards since the automaker limits eligible models to those less than six years old and with fewer than 75,000 miles on the odometer. Vehicles that meet these requirements must pass a comprehensive 172-point inspection and reconditioning process. During the inspection, our factory-trained and certified technicians go over every inch of the vehicle, looking for issues that need repair. They’ll look at everything from the engine and brake system to the owner’s manual, upholstery, and tire tread.

As our technicians inspect the vehicle, they’ll note any areas that need repair or reconditioning. From there, it’s a matter of restoring the car, truck, or SUV to as close to its like-new condition as possible. It also means ensuring the vehicle has a clean title and can pass a vehicle history report. This eliminates models with salvage designations, a history of flood, fire, or electrical damage, and significant accident involvement where the airbags deployed.

Vehicles that pass the age, mileage, inspection, and reconditioning requirements earn the certified sticker and are added to our inventory. However, the benefits don’t stop there! Chevrolet gives you even more confidence to shop our Certified Pre-Owned selection by offering two factory-backed limited warranties that cover up to 100,000 miles, two complimentary maintenance visits, and a three-day or 150-mile satisfaction guarantee!

Certified Pre-Owned vs Used vs New: What’s the Difference?

What’s the difference between shopping for a new, used, or Certified Pre-Owned model? It all comes down to how hard you want your money to work for you and how much confidence you’re looking for in your purchase. Here’s what we mean.

New Models

New models are enticing because there’s nothing quite like that new car smell and knowing you’re the first to take the vehicle home. However, that newness often comes at a premium that can leave a gaping hole in your wallet. For example, new cars lose up to 11% in value as soon as they leave the lot, which means you’ve already overpaid before you park your new car, truck, or SUV in your garage. Likewise, your new vehicle will continue to depreciate over the next five years, losing as much as 60% in value.

Let’s put this depreciation in perspective. You purchase a $40,000 SUV off the new lot, which means you’ve lost $4,400 before you get it home. Fast forward five years down the road, and your SUV is now only worth $16,000, but you signed a long-term loan and still owe $20,000. This puts you in a negative equity situation, where you must satisfy the $4,000 balance. Signing a shorter loan can help you avoid this situation, but it doesn’t discount the rapid rate of depreciation that befalls every new vehicle.

Used Models

Investing in a used vehicle is often touted as a wiser financial investment. This is because used models are older, meaning the first owner experienced the heaviest hit in depreciation. As a result, you’re paying closer to the vehicle’s value and can often enjoy newer features and technology without paying a premium. In addition, you’ll also find that your money goes a lot further on the used lot and can get you behind the wheel of a top-tier trim at a fraction of the cost.

Unfortunately, used vehicles don’t offer the same confidence or peace of mind as newer or Certified Pre-Owned models. Because of their age, few used models are still under warranty, requiring you to spend extra on extended warranty coverage or pay costly out-of-pocket expenses. Additionally, used models are usually sold as-is and don’t have to meet quality standards, which means there’s no guarantee of what you’re getting.

Certified Pre-Owned Models

Certified Pre-Owned models blend the advantages of new and used models to create an excellent option for customers looking to invest in a top-quality vehicle without paying a mile-high price. Chevrolet’s Certified Pre-Owned models are thoroughly inspected for quality and operability, so much so that we provide a comprehensive vehicle history report before your purchase. We want you to know what you’re paying for before the sale is final.

Our Certified Pre-Owned selection also comes with a satisfaction guarantee, a rarity on the new or used lot. In addition, every Certified Pre-Owned Chevrolet comes with a factory-backed warranty that minimizes your expenses and maximizes your investment. They also offer plenty of other perks, including a trial subscription to SiriusXM and two complimentary maintenance visits that cover a routine oil change, multi-point inspection, and tire rotation.

Shop Certified Pre-Owned, Shop Chevrolet

Chevrolet’s Certified Pre-Owned program is one of the best in the industry because it engineers confidence and peace of mind every mile down the road. For starters, Chevrolet knows the importance of being happy with your purchase and offers a satisfaction guarantee that gives you three days or 150 miles to determine if the car, truck, or SUV is the right fit for you. This guarantee eliminates buyer’s remorse and sets you up for success in finding the perfect Certified Pre-Owned Chevy for all your driving needs.

More importantly, Chevrolet’s Certified Pre-Owned program helps you protect your investment long after your purchase. Chevrolet’s Certified Pre-Owned warranty coverage minimizes your out-of-pocket expenses when the unthinkable happens, giving you more reason to say “yes” to your next Chevrolet. So, what will you drive? That’s a question that only you can answer, and it starts by exploring our Certified Pre-Owned Chevy inventory!