A certified pre-owned (CPO) vehicle is a used car that has undergone a thorough inspection and reconditioning process by the manufacturer, dealer, or a certifying authority before being sold. This process typically includes a detailed mechanical inspection, repairs or refurbishments as needed, and often comes with an extended warranty and additional benefits such as roadside assistance

. Key characteristics of certified pre-owned vehicles include:

• Inspection and Reconditioning: CPO cars must meet specific standards set by the manufacturer or dealer, including passing a multi-point inspection and being repaired or refurbished to meet those standards

• Warranty Coverage: Unlike typical used cars, CPO vehicles usually come with a manufacturer-backed or dealer-backed warranty that extends beyond the original factory warranty, providing additional peace of mind to buyers

• Age and Mileage Limits: Most CPO programs require vehicles to be relatively recent models (often less than 5 years old) with limited mileage (commonly under 80,000 miles or about 130,000 kilometers)

• Higher Price: Because of the inspection, repairs, and warranty coverage, certified pre-owned cars generally cost more than non-certified used cars

The CPO designation is meant to assure buyers that the vehicle is in better condition than a typical used car and has been vetted to reduce the risk of problems after purchase. However, the specifics of what qualifies as CPO can vary between manufacturers and dealers, so it’s important for buyers to understand the details of the certification program they are considering

. In summary, "certified pre-owned" means a used vehicle that has been inspected, repaired if necessary, and certified by a manufacturer or dealer, often with an extended warranty and other perks, distinguishing it from regular used cars