Approved Used Car scheme: benefits and deals
Approved used car scheme: benefits and deals
Top-quality, manufacturer-guaranteed approved used cars can take much of the anxiety out of buying a second-hand car, but are approved used cars worth the extra money? We find out more about the scheme.
For those who don’t want to pay the higher prices of a new car, but don’t fancy a typical used car, approved used cars could offer a comfortable middle ground. In this article, we look at what approved used cars are, and how the various manufacturer schemes work.
What is an approved used car scheme?
Approved used cars refer to used cars that come with a manufacturer-backed guarantee for top-quality and safety.
Approved used cars are rigorously inspected (there are 100 inspection points on average) and usually come with guarantees, warranties, exchange policies for peace of mind. Approved used cars are cherry-picked by the manufacturers and run through safety and security checks related to the car’s history (ensuring it’s not stolen, written-off or has pending payments against it), plus mileage, road safety, service history and mechanical faults, to ensure that it meets the high standards set by the manufacturer. Different manufacturers have different names for their approved used schemes. We’ve put together a full list at the bottom of this page, including the benefits of each manufacturer’s approved used scheme for easy comparison.
Are approved used cars good cars?
As with anything, this depends on what you’re looking for and the condition of the car. Always check the vehicle’s history and any fine print to the contract before you buy. And, most importantly, make sure you like the car. Is it comfortable, does it suit your driving style? Are you going to enjoy being behind the wheel of it?
In most cases, approved used cars come with low mileage and only have one previous owner.
Is it worth buying an approved used car?
Buying a used car can seem daunting, especially if you’re a first-time buyer. There can be anxiety about any hidden problems with the car and fear of the car’s whereabouts before it landed on the forecourt.
An approved used car scheme helps in eliminating the problems that come with a used car and provides the buyer with peace of mind through manufacturer-backed warranties, exchange policies and quality and safety certifications.
Are approved used cars more expensive than used cars?
Approved used cars do tend to cost slightly more than regular used cars, but this reflects the benefits of the approved used scheme. You’re getting a lot of the benefits of buying a new car, but at a lower price.
If a car fails to match all of these criteria, it will not be sold as an approved used car, but it could still wind up on a dealer’s forecourt. These cars should be just as reliable, they just won’t have the warranty benefits of an approved used scheme. They should, however, be cheaper as a result.
Do different manufacturers have different approved used car schemes?
Different manufacturers use different names for these used and approved cars such as ‘approved car scheme’, ‘approved used car programme’ and so on.
Approved used cars are usually low mileage, and cost more than a used car but less than what a new car would cost. Such cars are usually sold by dealers representing the manufacturers, and each car company offers various different benefits of buying these cars.
