The implied selling point of "certified" used cars is they won't break. That kind of makes used car extended warranties seem unnecessary. Naturally, some buyers may wonder what will be happen if something does break anyway. In order to ease those inquiring minds, "certified" used car warranties often come included, or are at least implied. Sadly, too few people will inquire further about what the "certified" used car warranty covers. - Does certified mean "under warranty"? Not necessarily. The major manufacturers' "certified" programs usually include some extended warranty protection. But oftentimes, "certified" cars sold outside of manufacturers' programs do not come with any extended warranty coverage. If it does break, tough luck.
- How good's the warranty? The GM Certified Used Vehicle Warranty is only for 3 months or 3,000 miles! Ford offers longer "certified" warranties. But they generally aren't bumper-to-bumper, covering only the "power train." Forget about the little extras like the roof or the doors. Right off the internet, you can buy extended warranty used car coverage that is generally bumper-to-bumper and lasts several years.
"Certified" Used Cars: Extended Warranties Still Needed
"Certified" used cars offer two things: an inspection and a used car extended warranty. Arguably, neither is worth the price. - Inspection. Let's face reality. The junky used car problem doesn't exist for want of dealer inspections. Lemons get sold for one of three reasons. a) The defect did not show up in the dealer's own inspection. b) The dealer is trying to sell a car whose defects were already known. Or sometimes c) the buyer knows about the defects but is guilty of wishful thinking. In none of these cases will a "certified" inspection provide the protection of an independent inspection and extended used car warranty.
- Warranty. A "certified" used car will often cost 10%-25% more. For a $10,000 used car, that's $1,000-$2,500. An extended used car warranty from an independent auto warranty company will often cost about the same. But the best used car warranties will provide a lot more protection than "certified" used car warranties. Given that fact, you may end up getting an independent extended car warranty anyway.
Worst of all, certified used cars come with an expensive risk. They tempt you to let your guard down. Ford even issued a press release headlined "Pre-Owned Vehicle Program Reduces Customer Buyer Beware." As if that were a good thing.
Of course, in the end, you may buy a "certified" used car anyway. These days it seems there are fewer and fewer used cars that aren't "certified." Just make sure to get an independent inspection and an independent used car extended warranty. "Certified" or not, it's still a used car.
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