Many drivers prefer to buy their cars brand-spanking new. It’s comforting to know that no one has owned your car before you got behind the wheel and that its entire history going forward is up to you. There’s no need to worry about where it’s been, who drove it, and what bumps and bruises it may have accumulated along the way as someone else’s vehicle.
However, this privilege comes at a high price and it’s not a price tag everyone can afford. Indeed, many drivers who understand how quickly any vehicle depreciates in monetary value once you drive it off the lot would much prefer to take their chances with GM certified used cars.
Sadly, however, as Chevrolet prepares to discontinue some of its flagship models, such as the Chevrolet Impala and Chevy Bolt, you will only be able to get your hands on some of your favorite models by purchasing them used or certified pre-owned (CPO) in the near future.
Keep in mind that while purchasing a non-certified used Chevy will save you a lot of money in the short run, there are perks to paying the extra premium to ensure your ride has been through the rigorous Chevy certification process. Here are just a few of the benefits of buying Chevrolet certified used and pre-owned vehicles.
Chevy doesn’t accept just any car into its certified program. To ensure you receive the pick of the litter, each car is thoroughly inspected and then reconditioned. Cars in our certified program must have a clean record, be 6 years or younger, and feature mileage under 75,000. Cars that have survived floods, been in accidents, or show signs of rust are automatically disqualified after the 172-point inspection completed by our authorized mechanics.
When you purchase Chevy CPO vehicles, we also ensure the oil and oil filters are changed. Any other fluids at or nearing their changing deadline will also be refreshed. This helps to ensure that you drive home a reliable vehicle that “feels” brand-new but without the price tag. Additionally, for your peace of mind, CPO vehicles come with a vehicle history report from Carfax or equivalent.
Free Car Maintenance
The cost of purchasing a car is expensive enough without adding maintenance to the bill. Chevrolet would like to subtract this expense from your budget by providing free factory maintenance for 2 years or 24,000 miles, whichever comes first. If your CPO is coming up on that 60,000-mile limit, this can help to reduce the cost of maintenance usually scheduled for this period, including new filters and the first coolant and transmission flushes.
Extended Vehicle Warranty
Even with the best pre-inspections and free maintenance, there is peace of mind in knowing your vehicle is covered by not just one, but two warranties. The first is the 6-Year/100,000-Mile Powertrain Limited Warranty. The second is the 12-Month/12,000-Mile Bumper-to-Bumper Limited Warranty. Both offerings feature a $0 deductible and are transferable.
Customer Satisfaction Guarantee
We are so sure you’ll love your almost-new Chevy that we provide a 3-day or 150-mile guarantee. If you’re dissatisfied with your certified car for any reason, just take it back within 3 days or before 150 miles, whichever comes first. We then allow you to exchange the car for another one in our inventory, no questions asked. Cars are way too expensive to allow yourself to suffer from buyers’ remorse for even a second.
Low Car Financing Rates
Cars that are not brand-new tend to attract a higher APR from creditors. Though the higher APR still doesn’t make them anywhere near as expensive as buying a vehicle fresh off the lot, if you can get that premium lowered, your bank account will thank you. Chevrolet steps in to assist with this by offering car loans for as low as just 1.9 percent on some of its CPO models, provided you have a good credit score. This is lower than the APR you would receive even for a new car from some lenders, with the same credit score.
Leasing Opportunities
In 2016, General Motors introduced the opportunity to lease their CPO vehicles at participating dealerships. This is a great option for drivers who like to upgrade to a new car every year or so, but have no intention of owning one. It is also ideal for companies who lease vehicles to provide corporate cars to their employees.
The Car Looks Brand New
You know it and we know it. A lot of people who buy cars aren’t too keen on the specs. What grabs their attention is a shiny new car without the bumps and bruises on the exterior and an interior that’s still clinging to that lingering new-car smell. While it is perfectly possible to find a non-CPO that looks brand new and is in great shape, nothing beats the reconditioned quality of a certified Chevy vehicle. When we say low-mileage and like-new, we mean it.
Additional Benefits from Chevy
Now that we have the essentials down pat, it’s time to discuss some additional add-ons you can look forward to when you purchase a CPO from Chevy. For starters, your new ride will come with a 3-month subscription for Sirius satellite radio. You also receive a 3-month trial subscription to General Motor’s OnStar for peace of mind if you’re in an accident or just lose your keys. Instead of a 3-month subscription, some dealerships offer 24-hour roadside assistance with Courtesy Transportation for the duration of the original 5-Year/100,000 Powertrain Limited Warranty, up to the additional year. Go ahead and take that road trip you’ve been planning. We’ve got you covered!
Measuring Up To the Competition
Chevy is one of many trusted automakers who sell certified pre-owned vehicles. However, especially when it comes to rugged SUVs and trucks that take consistent abuse, it’s still a level above the competition. For example, Toyota certifies used vehicles up to 85,000 miles, which means you are more likely to receive a CPO vehicle from Toyota with higher mileage. Nissan, another top competitor to the GM lineup, while offering a great extended powertrain warranty, neglected to include a bumper-to-bumper warranty. Also, Nissan’s warranty starts from the date of the original purchase. Not surprisingly, in May 2018, AutoTrader included the Chevrolet’s CPO program on their list of the top ten non-luxury CPO programs in America.
Final Word
Chevy dealerships like Valley Chevy get first-pick of low-mile vehicles with clean records when they return to the market. These are the Chevys in line to become certified models. Because of this, the Chevy vehicles that end up at other dealerships or in open auctions tend to be the vehicles that failed to meet the high standards set by Chevrolet.
Owners who wish to alleviate some of the risk associated with purchasing big-ticket items like a car, but who cannot afford or do not want to buy a brand-new vehicle, will appreciate Chevy’s CPO program. And, while there are many CPO programs from other automakers, including other GM brands, the real Chevy advantage shows in the generous warranty offerings illustrating the faith we have in our brand.
Are you ready to test that faith and drive off in your certified pre-owned Chevy today? Find a Valley Chevy dealership near you and schedule a test drive, today.