When it comes to seeking out the very best life has to offer, we love options. From local restaurants to cutting-edge technology, we can spend countless hours researching our choices.
However, in one particular area of life, we often have an overwhelming number of options: car shopping.
When it comes to buying your dream ride, where do you even begin? Is the used Chevy Silverado 1500 for sale the one for you–or is the new 2025 Chevy Trax what your heart desires?
Is shopping for used cars near you the right choice, or should you set your sights on the certified pre-owned inventory? What does “certified pre-owned” even mean?
Keep reading to find out how to get started on your journey to finding your dream ride–starting with deciding between used or certified pre-owned!
What is a Certified Pre-Owned Chevy?
If you have browsed cars online before visiting a dealership, you’ve likely come across the term “certified pre-owned.”
A certified pre-owned (CPO) vehicle is a used car that has undergone a rigorous inspection process to meet the criteria and standards set forth by the manufacturer before it is available for sale. They’re often classified as a solid middle ground between a brand-new vehicle and a used alternative.
CPO vehicles often come with warranty coverage protection provided by the manufacturer and are only available at dealerships from the same brand. For example, a true factory CPO Chevy vehicle will only be available for sale at a Chevy dealership.
The Standards for Becoming a Certified Pre-Owned Chevy
Think of a certified pre-owned vehicle like the NFL–only the best of the best make it onto the team after undergoing a comprehensive inspection and meeting certain eligibility requirements.
In order for a used Chevy to graduate from used to CPO, the vehicles must typically meet the general prerequisites:
- Age limitations: In order to make it past the first-round draft pick of the CPO program, most used cars must be no more than 6 years old. In recent years, however, market conditions have expanded criteria to include vehicles older than six years. This will vary from one dealer to the next.
- Low mileage: If you’re searching for a CPO vehicle with over 100,000 miles (though we don’t know why you would) you’ll have a difficult time finding it. Most vehicles in the CPO program will have been driven less than 85,000 miles. Again, this is a requirement that will vary between dealerships and manufacturers.
- Gently used: CPO vehicles will typically have near-spotless vehicle history reports, showing an accident-free background.
- Proper maintenance: The lifespan of your Chevy is only as good as the maintenance and service it has received throughout the years. Vehicles sold under the CPO program have typically received the recommended service checks and maintenance tune-ups to keep them in pristine condition.
Once a used vehicle has passed the first round of requirements, it’s time to put their money where their mouth is–or so to speak.
Vehicles at Legacy Chevrolet undergo a 172-point inspection and thorough reconditioning process by our factory-trained technicians. This ensures that not only are the most important components of your Chevy ready to receive the CPO nomenclature but also that you have peace of mind that your vehicle is ready for the road ahead.
Factors to Consider When Visiting Chevy Car Dealerships Near You
When choosing between used and CPO vehicles, the decision can prove to be more difficult than you would initially believe.
Here are some key factors to consider when choosing between a used or CPO Chevy vehicle:
Budget
Your budget will always be at the top of your list when car shopping. If your goal is to keep car costs as low as possible, shopping for used cars in Greenwood, SC may be for you. A used car may not offer the latest and greatest advancements in technology, but if the price is right, you may not mind.
Warranty Coverage
Warranty protection is a huge selling point when buying a brand-new car, and can also be a deciding factor when choosing a used or CPO vehicle.
Most CPO vehicles will offer the original factory warranty, along with extended warranty coverage, offering more protection and security for you and your investment.
Routine Maintenance Visits
Although CPO vehicles are used vehicles, their rigorous inspection process to become CPO vehicles inches them closer to the high standards found in new vehicles.
If you hate the idea of potentially frequent visits to your Chevy service center for repairs and maintenance checks, a CPO Chevy may be the best route for you.
Can’t Decide Between New, Used or CPO? Visit Legacy Chevrolet for a Test Drive Today!
The car-buying process can be daunting, but the team at Legacy Chevrolet is here to help!
Whether you are drawn to a brand-new Chevy or find that our pre-owned inventory has piqued your interest, we will help you find the right vehicle for you, all while taking your budget, wants, and needs into consideration.
We offer a wide selection of certified used cars near you, from the coveted 2024 Chevy Colorado to the sleek 2019 Chevy Corvette. As one of the leading used car lots in Greenwood, SC, we offer some of the best used Chevy inventory at the most affordable price points in the area!
Check out our ongoing Chevy service specials near you to get your used ride into top-notch shape for the road ahead!
Head on down to Legacy Chevrolet to explore our inventory of used and pre-owned vehicles, then take a test drive to find the one that fits you today!