Certified Pre-Owned vs. Used Cars: Which is Right For You?

When shopping for a car at a dealership, you’ll run into two categories: certified pre-owned and used. While both offer cost-saving alternatives compared to buying newer models, many drivers wonder, “What’s the difference on certified pre-owned cars?”

At McElveen Buick GMC, our dealership offers fantastic used vehicles with high-quality assurance, builds, tech, and more. At the same time, our CPOs give you access to stellar benefits that can sway any driver, as these exclusive perks make CPOs an excellent investment!

What is a Used Vehicle?

Used cars are one of the most searched-for terms on the web as they offer lower prices, greater variety, and more, but what are they?

A pre-owned vehicle means it has had at least one previous owner, and a used car usually means any year, make, or model. Our inventory grows as we constantly add trucks, sedans, and SUVs with terrific builds that are eager for your test drive and ready to hit the road again!

You may wonder if there are any perks to buying used products. Yes, there are multiple reasons to purchase a pre-owned car compared to a certified pre-owned!

  • Lower Cost: Used vehicles typically have lower prices than certified pre-owned models, as used cars don’t carry the exclusive perks that CPOs do. This means you can get a ride that still keeps your wallet hefty. McElveen Buick GMC offers a special section with used vehicles priced under 15K so you can get a car with any budget!
  • Greater Variety: Compared to certified pre-owned vehicles, used cars can offer you any year, make, and model during your search. Why is that? At McElveen, our dealership sells Buick and GMC’s fresh lineup, meaning our CPOs can only be Buick and GMC models, limiting your search to two brands.

So, in the battle for certified pre-owned vs. used, used vehicles allow you to shop around with brands, years, trim levels, and more at a lower cost that aims to fit the tight budget! If you’re a first-time driver or want a low-cost ride, check out our used inventory today!

What is a Certified Pre-Owned Vehicle?

CPOs are brand-specific vehicles that undergo exclusive tests and inspections to meet their golden standards, such as age, miles, title, condition, and more.

The CPO program for Buick and GMC are all the same as certified pre-owned Buick models go through the same tests as GMC vehicles, which means to be a CPO for McElveen Buick GMC, it must have:

  • A Clean Title
  • Pass a 172-Point Inspection
  • Less Than Six Model Years Old
  • Have Less Than 75,00 Miles

So, when you want certified pre-owned GMC models, like a Sierra 1500 or a Yukon, you can breathe easily knowing that it has passed our golden standards in exterior, interior, and mechanical inspections!

What are the pros of purchasing a certified pre-owned model? You get access to fantastic exclusive benefits that traditional used vehicles don’t.

Benefits include:

  • 6-Year/100,000-Mile Powertrain Limited Warranty
  • 12-Month/12,000-Mile Bumper-to-Bumper Limited Warranty
  • Free Vehicle History Report
  • Roadside Assistance
  • Scheduled Maintenance
  • Courtesy Transportation
  • And More!

Whether you want certified pre-owned Buick models or with GMC, you get unique benefits only our CPOs can get!

Check Out Our CPO and Used Lot Today!

McElveen Buick GMC offers drivers stunning vehicles with our used inventory. Our used inventory allows you to choose your make, model, year, and more at a lower cost. Certified pre-owned cars give you peace of mind with stellar benefits, making our CPOs a perfect investment for any driver!

So, are you in the market for a new ride? Visit McElveen Buick GMC in Summerville, SC, and drive home in the car of your dreams!