Certification Process for Pre-Owned Chevy

Not every used Chevrolet qualifies as a Certified Pre-Owned vehicle. Before earning the designation, a Chevrolet must meet specific age and mileage requirements, have a qualifying vehicle history, complete applicable safety recall work, and pass Chevrolet’s multi-point inspection.

At Pete Moore Chevrolet in Pensacola, FL, shoppers can use these certification requirements to understand what separates a Chevrolet Certified Pre-Owned vehicle from another pre-owned option.

Step 1: Meet Certified Pre-Owned Requirements

The Chevrolet Certified Pre-Owned process starts by determining whether a vehicle is eligible for the program. A Chevrolet that falls outside the program’s initial requirements cannot move forward with certification.

To qualify, a vehicle must meet requirements that include:

• No more than six model years old
• No more than 75,000 miles
• Clean title and qualifying vehicle history
• Completed applicable safety recall work

Meeting these requirements allows the vehicle to continue through the certification process, but it does not automatically make it Certified Pre-Owned.

Step 2: The Vehicle’s History Is Reviewed

Age and mileage do not tell the entire story of a pre-owned vehicle. Its reported history helps determine whether it qualifies for Chevrolet certification.

A free CARFAX® Vehicle History Report provides information about the vehicle’s reported history. Title status and applicable safety recalls are also considered during the certification process.

This review gives shoppers additional information to consider before purchasing and helps ensure that certification is based on more than a vehicle’s mileage and appearance.

Step 3: A Technician Completes a 172-Point Inspection

An eligible Chevrolet must undergo a 172-point inspection performed by a trained Chevrolet technician. The inspection covers multiple areas of the vehicle rather than focusing only on the engine or other major mechanical components.

Major inspection areas include:

• Powertrain
• Electrical systems
• Brakes, steering, suspension, and tires
• Interior condition and equipment
• Exterior condition and components

During the inspection, the technician evaluates the operation and condition of components throughout the vehicle. That includes major mechanical systems as well as equipment inside the cabin and exterior components.

Step 4: Necessary Reconditioning Is Completed

Finding an issue during the inspection does not necessarily prevent a vehicle from becoming Certified Pre-Owned. Certain maintenance, mechanical, or cosmetic concerns can be addressed through reconditioning before certification.

However, certification is not guaranteed. A vehicle that requires major repairs or cannot meet Chevrolet’s program requirements will not qualify.

Only after the vehicle satisfies the required standards can it receive the Chevrolet Certified Pre-Owned designation.

Chevrolet Certified Pre-Owned Warranty Coverage

The certification process is only part of what separates a Chevrolet Certified Pre-Owned vehicle from another pre-owned option. Certified pre-owned vehicles also include specific warranty and ownership benefits.

Program benefits include:

• 12-month/12,000-mile bumper-to-bumper limited warranty
• Six-year/100,000-mile powertrain limited warranty
• 24/7 roadside assistance during applicable powertrain warranty coverage
• Free CARFAX® Vehicle History Report

Coverage is subject to program terms, mileage limitations, exclusions, and other conditions. Before purchasing a Certified Pre-Owned Chevrolet, review the warranty documentation for the individual vehicle to understand the coverage that applies.

Benefits With Chevrolet Certification

Chevrolet certification can include additional benefits beyond its inspection and warranty coverage. These extras provide support after you leave the dealership and begin driving your certified pre-owned Chevrolet.

Depending on vehicle eligibility and equipment, benefits can include:

• SiriusXM® trial services
• OnStar® trial services
• Three-day/150-mile vehicle exchange program

Eligibility, trial periods, and program requirements can vary. Confirm which benefits apply to the specific Chevrolet Certified Pre-Owned vehicle you are considering.

Certified Pre-Owned vs Pre-Owned

Certified Pre-Owned and pre-owned do not mean the same thing. A regular pre-owned Chevrolet may still be inspected, serviced, or reconditioned by a dealership before being offered for sale, but those steps alone do not make it Certified Pre-Owned.

A Chevrolet must complete the certification process and meet the program’s requirements before receiving the certified pre-owned designation. That distinction gives shoppers a defined set of standards to consider when comparing their options.

Shop Chevrolet Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles in Pensacola, FL

A Chevrolet Certified Pre-Owned vehicle has to clear several requirements before receiving the certified pre-owned designation. For shoppers, that means there is a defined process behind the Certified Pre-Owned name rather than certification being based simply on mileage or appearance.

Visit Pete Moore Chevrolet in Pensacola, FL, to explore available Chevrolet Certified Pre-Owned vehicles. Review the CARFAX® Vehicle History Report and applicable warranty information, take a test drive, and compare your financing options when you find a vehicle that fits your needs.

*Disclaimer: This content was drafted with AI assistance for initial drafting, reviewed by a subject-matter expert for accuracy, and edited by our team of writers and editors.