Everyone knows that Toyotas last well beyond other models on the road. My own Corolla was stranded under a tree once after a hurricane, and it still purred like a kitten when I started it back up. Nonetheless, anyone interested in a used vehicle may be apprehensive about quality. This also applies to Toyotas, even though they tend to outshine the rest, especially when it comes to reliability. If you see a used Toyota for sale, you already know that it’s probably in pretty good shape, but for those drivers who want a bit more assurance with this, buying a Certified Pre-Owned Toyota is the way to go. Let’s break down Toyota’s CPO program and what it all entails to see how it upholds Toyota’s legacy of value and quality.
Model Years and Mileage
Used car lots contain models that could be a couple of years old, or they could seem ancient. You never know what you’ll get when you shop used, which is why car shoppers understandably have their reservations. This is why automakers offer Certified Pre-Owned programs, adding another assurance layer to the used car buying process. The Certified Pre-Owned selection consists of models that fall within certain years and within certain mileage parameters. This ensures more modern features, less wear and tear, and a better, more dependable driving experience.
Toyota is no different, with two tiers to its CPO program to entice shoppers to choose from its selection. The top-of-the-line tier is the Gold Certified program, which consists of models no more than six years old, meaning that these models showcase many of the desirable features today’s drivers are looking for. From touchscreen displays to driver assistance aids, modern appointments to fuel-efficient engines, newer Toyota models offer all this, making them extremely appealing to those who want more in their vehicles without overpaying for it. Gold Certified models also have 85,000 miles or less on their odometers, which means that there’s still plenty of life left in these vehicles to elevate the overall journey.
The other tier is the Silver Certified program, which consists of models that are a little older but still offer favorable features to enhance the quality of the ride. These models are ten years old and newer, with 60,000 to 125,000 miles on their odometers. If you think about it, ten years ago was 2015, which means that these models still offer many of the innovative tech features and cozy appointments that we can expect in vehicles today. It’s nice that Toyota offers two certified programs to help appeal to drivers with various needs and budgets.
Inspection Expectations
Even though Certified Pre-Owned vehicles are newer than many other used vehicles, they’re still used. This means that they could require some work to recondition them to Toyota-level standards. The last thing anyone wants is to buy a lemon, but this is far less likely when you choose a Certified Pre-Owned vehicle. This is because they’re put through detailed inspection processes to ensure their quality. CPO Toyotas must pass a detailed multi-point inspection, which checks everything from mechanical and structural elements to design components. From the engine to the steering system, transmission, tires, lighting, and more, every inch of the vehicle is checked to ensure it’s in peak condition. If something does need to be addressed, certified Toyota technicians will recondition a model and make any repairs necessary to ensure its dependability and safety.
In addition to this rigorous inspection process, CPO Toyotas also come with a CARFAX vehicle history report at no additional cost. Interested buyers will be able to view the complete history of a particular CPO model with full transparency to know what they need to know before they sign on the dotted line. Knowing that a used vehicle has been evaluated in all areas means the world to today’s car shoppers seeking out a car they can rely on to get them everywhere they need to go each day.
Warranty Options
When you buy used, you don’t always have many options when it comes to protecting your purchase. Sometimes what you see is what you get, but other times, an underlying issue could continue to wreak havoc on your ride. Fortunately, this isn’t the case with CPO vehicles, but it’s still nice to know that you’re protected should something happen on the open road.
Gold Certified vehicles come with the Gold Limited Comprehensive Warranty, which covers the repair of any component that experiences a problem under normal driving conditions due to defective materials or service for 12 months or 12,000 miles, whichever comes first. They also come with the Gold Limited Powertrain Warranty, which covers vehicles for seven years or 100,000 miles. This warranty covers major powertrain components like the engine and transmission and offers transportation reimbursement while the vehicle is being repaired.
Silver Certified vehicles do not come with a comprehensive warranty, but do come with the Silver Limited Powertrain Warranty. This provides the same extensive powertrain coverage as the Gold Limited Powertrain Warranty, but for a shorter duration of 12 months or 12,000 miles.
Extended warranty options are also available to protect CPO Toyotas for a longer period of time, making this program a great choice for drivers who need a little bit more peace of mind while they travel.
Extra Perks
Along with a selection of warranties available, CPO Toyotas also include their fair share of benefits that make any journey more enjoyable and any driver more confident behind the wheel. Both Gold and Silver Certified vehicles offer 24-hour roadside assistance, with Gold Certified vehicles offering it for seven years or 100,000 miles and Silver Certified vehicles covered for 12 months or 12,000 miles, whichever comes first. If anything unexpected happens on the road, drivers can get help 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Anything from a flat tire to a dead battery is covered, as well as being locked out of your vehicle or running out of gas. Drivers are even able to call for a tow truck to take them to a nearby repair center with ease. This adds another level of confidence to the journey, one that many drivers need but don’t necessarily have access to. Regardless of whether you drive a new or a used car, anything can happen out on the open road, so having the right tools available to help you in these instances is invaluable.
The CPO Experience
Buying a CPO vehicle is definitely worth it. That’s what I did for my first vehicle after college, and not only did I get to take advantage of a newer vehicle for less money, but I also had the peace of mind I required since it was covered under warranty. It gave me the chance to get behind the wheel of a reliable vehicle for a price that fit my new college grad budget. Of course, this is a personal preference, but if I were to buy used again, I’d definitely consider a CPO model, especially a CPO Toyota.
Buying CPO just adds a little extra to the experience. You know that your car is still highly modern with top tech and comfortable appointments, avoiding the old clunker stereotype that the used car lot often gets. You also know that these models have been inspected and their quality has been guaranteed. It just makes buying used a little bit more satisfying, and when it comes to some of the most reliable automakers around, you can’t go wrong with Toyota.
