There can be some advantages to buying a used certified car from a new car dealer. Most vehicle manufactures have certification programs but there are some differences from one manufacturer to another. This article will examine the GM pre-owned vehicle certified program for what the qualifications are for certification as well as the benefits. The GM makes covered in this article include Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, Pontiac and Saturn.
GM Used Certified Vehicle Qualifications
Each car manufacturer has a basic set of rules for the minimum qualifications of pre-owned certification status. The basic rules for all manufacturers include age limits, and mileage limits. Each vehicle must also pass a comprehensive vehicle inspection. The following are GM’s qualification requirements.
- GM vehicles must be at least current plus 5 model years old
- Vehicle must have less than 75,000 miles
- Must pass a 117-point mechanical and appearance inspection by trained General Motors technicians
- Vehicle must have a clean title
GM Pre-Owned Certified Warranty Coverage
General Motors used certified vehicles come with two separate warranties. The following are the two types of pre-owned certified warranty coverage for GM vehicles
- 12-month/12,000 mile bumper-to-bumper warranty
- 5-year/100,000 mile limited powertrain warranty
The factory warranty that comes with a new GM vehicle is transferrable to a person that purchases the used car or truck. The 12-month/12,000 mile bumper-to-bumper warranty (which ever occurs first) that comes with a certified pre-owned GM vehicle starts as soon as the car or truck owner drives off the dealership’s lot. Even if the new factory warranty has expired, the used certified bumper-to-bumper warranty covers the vehicle for an additional 12-months or 12,000 miles
Certified pre-owned GM vehicles also come with a 5-year/100,000 mile limited powertrain warranty. Unlike the 12-month/12,000 mile warranty, the powertrain warranty ends at 5 years from the original in service date (when the vehicle was new) or when the actual odometer reaches 100,000 miles. Some of the major components covered under the limited powertrain warranty include
- engine
- transmission
- driveshaft
- axles
- transfer case
Benefits of Buying a Used Certified GM Car or Truck
General Motors claims that their pre-owned certified vehicles have a nationwide average added value of $1,925 over non-certified comparable used vehicles. Some of the added value benefits versus non-certified preowned vehicles include
- additional warranty coverage
- lower financing rates than non-certified used cars
- parts used for reconditioning are genuine GM parts
- free Car Fax vehicle history report that reports possible fire, salvage, flood damage, odometer problems or lemon law cases
- reconditioning performed by factory-trained technicians
- roadside assistance
- 3-day/150-mile satisfaction guarantee
There are certainly some advantages to buying a certified used GM vehicle. A new leased vehicle could also be another option for a lower monthly payment. Find out if a purchase or lease is a better option. If planning on trading in a vehicle to reduce the monthly payment, find out what the car’s worth. Selling to a private party could result in a substantially larger down payment.
Source:
gmcertified.com/certified
James Clausen - Clausen received a Bachelors Degree in Business Administration in Automotive Management and Marketing at Northwood University, graduating ...
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