Used vs. CPO at Our San Diego Area Toyota Dealer

A pre-owned car could be gently used and in near-perfect condition, but the fact that someone else owned it previously means that it could be purchased at a much affordable price than if you bought it new.  Dealerships are a great place to find used vehicles and some even offer Toyota certified pre-owned vehicles, like Toyota Chula Vista. So, what’s the difference between a used and CPO car?

The difference between used and CPO

A used car is just that, used. You can find used cars sold in dealerships, most of which are trade-ins from previous customers. Plenty of used cars are also sold privately by their owners.

Certified pre-owned cars are sold by dealerships of the same brand. Many CPO cars are leased vehicles that have been returned after their term is complete. Before a used car can be labeled as certified pre-owned, it must meet certain qualifications and pass rigid inspections.

After a vehicle has passed inspection, it is thoroughly cleaned and reconditioned. Any necessary repairs to the body, paint, engine, and internal components are completed, and parts are replaced as necessary. Finally, the vehicle will undergo a final inspection before it is deemed certified pre-owned.

Buying Used vs CPO

Buying a used car from a private party will involve many steps. First, you must contact the seller to schedule a time you can view the car. Then you have to drive over to their location to see and test drive the used vehicle. For your security, you’ll need to get a vehicle history report online and get your trusted mechanic to inspect the vehicle for defects. After a bit of haggling, you will then have to drive over to complete the transaction and paperwork.

When buying a certified pre-owned, all you need to do is to head to the dealership where you can choose from an inventory of CPO vehicles. If you have chosen a vehicle you like, you just need to arrange a payment plan with the finance department and you’re done. There’s no need to bring your mechanic, since a CPO car has already been inspected and reconditioned by a factory trained technician. CPO cars are also backed by a warranty.

If you’re looking for used Toyota cars in San Diego, come to our Toyota dealership in Chula Vista. We have used vehicles like a certified pre-owned Toyota Corolla and many others.