While used cars are often a good investment, you can make sure you are getting the best of the best from car dealerships that sell certified-owned cars.

Shopping for a used car is a smart way to save money. Not only do used cars have lower price tags, but they also are cheaper to register and insure.  There are several benefits to buying a certified pre-owned car.

Certified Pre-Owned Cars Must Pass an Inspection

Before a used car can become certified, the highly trained service technicians at car dealerships put it through a multi-point inspection. If there are any problems during the inspection, which includes everything from the engine to the drivetrain to the stereo and air conditioning, there is documentation about the proper repair.

Certified Used Cars Are Gently Used

While each manufacturer has different standards for how old a certified car can be and how many miles can be on the odometer, you can count on a vehicle that has low mileage and is a recent model year. For example, a Honda True Certified vehicle will have under 80,000 miles and won’t be over seven years old.

They Come with a Limited Warranty

If you find a certified pre-owned vehicle that still has the original New Vehicle Warranty, you’ll get the benefits of the warranty. Most CPOs also offer an extended warranty to keep you going for several thousand more miles after the original warranty expires. These warranties often come with extra benefits such as roadside assistance and can last for up to 100,000 miles.

Some of the other fringe benefits you may get with these used cars include no-cost maintenance for a set time or number of miles and replacement transportation if your car goes into the shop. Trip interruption reimbursement is another benefit offered by some manufacturers, along with towing and flat tire repair.

Special Financing Deals

When you buy a certified pre-owned vehicle at car dealerships, there is a good chance that they will offer some kind of deal. It could be special financing specifically for CPOs, which can save you thousands of dollars. Some banks and credit unions also offer lower rates on certified used cars. Since they are newer model years and are backed by the manufacturer, you can sometimes get rates similar to new car rates.

Guaranteed Satisfaction

Car dealerships and car manufacturers want their customers to be happy with their purchases. Even their used car purchases. Some CPO programs have an exchange policy if their customers are not completely happy with their used car. These come with specific parameters, and it’s only an exchange, not a money-back guarantee. But as long as you bring it to the dealership within a specific time frame and within the mileage limit, you can get a one-time swap for a different vehicle. It’s almost as good as buying a brand-new car but with a lower price tag.