When watching a commercial for car dealerships, you’ve likely heard the term “Certified Pre-Owned Vehicle” being thrown around. But what is a Certified Pre-Owned Vehicle? Is it just a fancy way of saying “used car”? Believe it or not, it’s not just sales jargon. Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles are very real, and they’re an important part of the used car buying process. In order to determine whether a Certified Pre-Owned Vehicle is right for you, you’ll first need to understand the differences between a CPO and a regular used car.

When shopping for a used car, you may find anxiety creeping up around the entire process. After all, shopping for a used car is often portrayed as a harsh process where conmen in loud suits and greased back hair try to swindle unsuspecting marks out of their money. In reality, the used car buying process can be easy to navigate, as long as you go in understanding the prices, how dealers make their money, and how you can use that knowledge to negotiate a better deal for yourself.

The process of buying a car has always been a tedious task. You need to find a brand, model and make, evaluate the different features available, determine your budget, assess the various cars on the market, perform vehicle history checks, test the car out, and then negotiate a price that works. And none of it can be rushed, after all this is the vehicle because you’ll be driving around for the next few years.

Whether you’re buying a new car or a used one, it’s important to understand common car lingo. Car sales jargon can be very confusing, especially if you’re a first-time car buyer. By understanding the lingo, you cannegotiate better prices, walk away with the car you want, and feel more confident you’re not getting the raw end of the deal. Start today by reading our guide on 30 car buying industry terms we believe every car buyer should know.

Car dealers are smart and savvy, and they often get their bad reputation by tricking customers. Now, we’re not saying they all behave this way. But a large majority of buyers have been ripped off by car dealers either through excessive and unanticipated fees or extra features that they push onto the customer. That’s why we want you to know the top seven ways you could get ripped off by a dealer while buying a car.

It’s tempting to dive straight in and purchase a brand new vehicle. New cars always have the latest features, can be customized however you want, and they’re easier to buy. But between new vehicles and used cars, a used car is almost always a smarter financial decision. Used cars are significantly cheaper when it comes to the overall cost, insurance rates, and registration. While used cars come with additional risk, there are now certified pre-owned programs that can give you great peace of mind.

You’ve found the perfect used car at the lowest price, but it happens to be halfway across the country. There’s no way you can come and inspect the vehicle and give it a test drive. You’re not feeling so confident just examining photos of the car and trusting the unknown seller on their word. Don’t worry. Before you get too overwhelmed, there are many ways you can review a used car that’s out of state without undergoing a test drive.

There’s nothing a car salesperson loves more than ignorant, clueless car buyers. Buyers who haven’t done their research are more likely to pay more than a car is worth. But it’s not always a higher sticker price that gets you. A lot of the additional costs will go into overpriced dealer add-ons that profit dealerships significantly. To avoid being the clueless car buyer opting for a dozen pricy add-ons, make sure you always ask these three questions before you set foot in any dealership.

The used car search can be overwhelming! Whether it’s your first or your fifth, most car buyers tend to get so caught up in the process that they forget the essential details. It happens. That’s why buying any vehicle requires patience and research. There are a host of considerations you need to take into account before settling for a used car. In this resource, we’ve created a checklist of things you should consider while conducting your used car search and before buying.

Cars are an essential part of our everyday. We drive them to work, to visit our family and friends, and attend fun events on the weekend. But how often do you maintain your car? And do you know what to look out for? Car maintenance is crucial to road safety, and there’s nothing more important than keeping yourself and your loved ones safe on the road. In this guide, we’re going to help you become a more informed driver by showing you four basic car maintenance tips that every car owner should be familiar with.