USA TODAY
Despite the benefits associated with manufacturer-certified used cars, consumers still need to be careful. Consider these potential drawbacks:

• There are no industry standards for certifying used cars.

• Dealer inspections may not be comprehensive or performed by their best technicians.

• While most experts will tell you that certification adds value to the retail price of a used car, it does not contribute to its eventual resale value.

• Some financial institutions — outside of the dealership — won’t realize that a certified used vehicle is worth more than a standard used car, so you may need to convince the lender to loan you the additional amount.

• Certification vehicles offers no guarantee that you will have fewer problems than a non-certified vehicle. Just because a car is certified, does not mean that is it better than another well maintained used car.

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Understand the warranty that comes with a Certified vehicle. Most all Certified vehicles warranties only cover the drivetrain (engine and transmission). Many people who buy a Certified vehicle believe there is a bumper to bumper warranty only to find out they are responsible for nearly all repairs.  In most cases you can buy the same warranty for less than the extra money you spend for a Certified used vehicle.
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