 Dear Terry,
I see a lot of dealers advertising "certified'' used cars and trucks, and when I've gone shopping I've found that they are more expensive than the Blue Book suggests. What's up?
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Marco
 Dear Marco,
Certified used cars are vehicles that are supposed to have been thoroughly inspected in dozens of mechanical areas and found to be in top shape or are repaired to the point where they are in top shape.
The benefit to the consumer is that the buyer is getting a used car with no excuses. The benefit to the dealer is a higher price and, in theory, a customer who won't be back with complaints about a vehicle's condition. First started with luxury cars, certified used car programs are available at almost every new car dealership. While the manufacturer sets the standards for the program -- and the extended warranty that usually goes along with the certified car -- it's up to the dealer to make sure the inspections and repairs are done properly. My experience with such programs has found that generally only the lowest-mileage trade-ins are retained by the dealer for the certified program. That's good on one level -- the buyer gets a lightly used vehicle. On another level, though, how much refurbishing should a car with only 30,000 miles need, and does the certified rating warrant a significantly higher price than a buyer might find for a similar noncertified car? My advice is to bargain hard on the price, regardless of whether the vehicle is certified, and agree to pay a higher price for a low-mileage vehicle only if you think you'll sleep better at night because the car has been through the inspection program.  | | This week | | | | • | Cash discounts on SUVs outweigh gas prices | | • | Stretching payment time seldom smart | | • | 'Certified' means pricey in used cars | | • | Fight back against shady dealer |
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