Weathers Motors Inc.

According to a recent J.D. Power and Associates study, sales of certified used cars have increased 46 percent since 2000. For many people, certified used cars have become affordable alternatives to new cars. By "certified used" or "certified pre-owned," we mean used cars that are offered for sale by your local dealer and feature or offer warranties that usually extend beyond the initial "when new" coverage.

To qualify as a "certified used" vehicle, the vehicles must be thoroughly checked by a dealer, using stringent guidelines and must be back by the dealer or manufacturer warranty. Not all used cars can qualify for certified pre-owned programs, and terms vary from one brand to the next, but any true certified pre-owned program will include at least a 100-point inspection of the car. If problems are found, the trained technicians will fix it or disqualify the car from the program. The certified warranty availability or protection typically takes effect when the original warranty expires and, like a new car warranty, offers coverage for a certain number of years or miles, whichever comes first.  More importantly, BUY from a reputable dealer.

Used cars sold with third-party warranties are often advertised as "certified" and can be similar to factory certified cars.  Extended service contracts can usually be purchased for any vehicle, and the vehicle's manufacturer is not involved in any coverage promised by the aftermarket service contract. A true warranty offers coverage that is included in the original purchase price.

Factory Certified used vehicles are generally higher in price ($about $500) to cover the cost of a warranty.  So whether you buy a factory certified vehicle or non-factory with a warranty, your price and benefits are similar. A few perks of a certified vehicle from a dealer is safety, peace of mind, maintenance schedules, low interest rates on loans- just a few of the reasons to choose a certified used car over a less expensive used car bought from a private party or used car lot. There's also the added benefit of having your car or truck serviced at your local dealer, which in most cases means a cleaner waiting room with little touches like fresh coffee and more comfortable chairs ? it's not reason alone to choose a certain car, but it sure doesn't hurt. Even if a specific perk is not part of the official certified program, you can sometimes negotiate additional features with your local dealer ? dealers selling certified used cars will, by and large, want to treat you the same way any new car customer wants to be treated. They want to build a relationship with you.

Some certified used programs offer the option of purchasing even more coverage. The attraction to certified used vehicles is clear ? new car benefits at a used car price.

So the benefits of purchasing a certified pre-owned car versus a used car from a private party or used car lot are obvious. The initial scrutiny checking the vehicle is intense, tires are in great shape, confidence in the purchase is higher and you typically receive a better warranty. Certified pre-owned cars are generally more expensive than other used cars. But in this case, the benefits may outweigh the cost ? for many buyers, the peace of mind alone is enough to justify the extra money.