Why Buy a Toyota Certified Used Vehicle?
Buying a pre-owned vehicle can be a great way to get more vehicle for your money—but not every used vehicle comes with the same level of confidence. A Toyota Certified Used Vehicle (TCUV) goes through additional requirements established by Toyota and includes benefits that you simply don't receive with a typical used vehicle.
Gold Certified vehicles represent Toyota's highest level of used-vehicle certification. Eligible vehicles can be up to six model years old with 85,000 miles or less. Gold Certified vehicles receive a 12-month/12,000-mile Limited Comprehensive Warranty as well as a 7-year/100,000-total-vehicle-mile Limited Powertrain Warranty. Toyota's warranty materials state that Gold comprehensive coverage begins on the certified purchase date, while the powertrain warranty continues until seven years from that date or 100,000 total vehicle miles, whichever occurs first.
But certification is about much more than warranty coverage.
Before a Toyota can be offered as Certified, it must complete Toyota's Quality Assurance Inspection. Toyota describes the process as a multi-point inspection designed to ensure Certified vehicles meet its standards for both mechanical quality and physical appearance. For Gold Certified vehicles, the current inspection checklist reaches 160 primary inspection points, covering everything from engine and transmission operation to brakes, suspension, tires, electrical systems, interior condition and exterior appearance. The inspection also includes a CARFAX Vehicle History Report, a Toyota Techstream diagnostic health check, checks for outstanding recalls and applicable campaigns, and available over-the-air updates.
Every Toyota Certified Used Vehicle also includes a CARFAX Vehicle History Report, giving customers additional information about the vehicle's past before making their purchase.
Another major advantage is 24-hour Roadside Assistance. Gold Certified vehicles receive coverage for up to 7 years/100,000 total vehicle miles, while Silver Certified vehicles receive 12 months/12,000 miles. Covered services can include towing, flat-tire assistance, jump starts, lockout service and emergency fuel delivery, subject to program terms and exclusions. Assistance is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Toyota certification also travels with you. TCUV warranty coverage is honored by more than 1,400 Toyota dealerships throughout the United States and Canada, so customers aren't limited to the dealership where they purchased their vehicle. Even better, Toyota Certified warranties are transferable to a subsequent owner at no charge while coverage remains in effect, which can provide an additional benefit when it eventually comes time to sell the vehicle.
Toyota's Certified program even includes additional protections that many customers may not realize are available. Depending on the applicable warranty, benefits can include substitute transportation reimbursement and travel protection when a covered repair occurs away from home. And for TCUV vehicles sold after May 1, 2021, Toyota states that covered TCUV warranty visits carry a $0 deductible.
Gold Certified vehicles may also qualify for standard new-car financing rates in select regions, giving buyers another potential advantage over purchasing a traditional pre-owned vehicle. Trade-ins are welcome, and your Toyota dealer can also handle the purchase and DMV paperwork to make the process as convenient as possible.
At Landers Toyota, we believe a Toyota Certified Used Vehicle offers a phenomenal value to a pre-owned buyer: Toyota quality, a thorough inspection process, valuable warranty protection, roadside assistance, nationwide support and the confidence of knowing your vehicle met Toyota's certification standards before you drove it home.
A used Toyota may already be a great vehicle. A Toyota Certified Used Vehicle gives you even more reasons to feel confident about buying it.