Certified pre-owned vehicles are commonly presented as being a better buy, or more likely to be reliable, than your average used car. Of course, this additional reliability comes at a premium, which some consumers are willing to pay. However, once you see what certified pre-owned actually means, it may not seem like such a great deal.
The only thing that separates a certified pre-owned vehicle from any other vehicle is that it has very low miles (probably has some original warranty left on it) and has been thoroughly inspected by the dealerships mechanic (this is done to every used vehicle regardless) and deemed fit for a warranty package, which is added to the price of the car.
Essentially, the warranty comes with the vehicle, whether you want it or not. Although the vehicle inspection may be somewhat more rigorous when it comes to a certified vehicle, it is still done by the dealerships mechanics, which some may say constitutes a conflict of interest.
Despite the newness of certified pre-owned vehicles, it is still a good idea to have them looked at by an independent mechanic to ensure there are no signs of abuse or neglect.
Remember, pre-owned is...