Most car sales are used car sales for a good reason.
In April, the new luxury car cost an average of $64,144. That was down from the March average, but still out of reach for many.
Used cars are a much more realistic possibility for most Americans. They sold for an average of $26,799 in April.
A used luxury vehicle makes for a unique bargain. Luxury cars depreciate faster than more affordable cars, meaning you can often find a used model recently for just a fraction of what a buyer paid for it a few years ago.
Buying a used luxury car puts all the latest technology at your fingertips and gives you more power and a more refined suspension than you could probably afford in the new car market. It also allows you to enjoy the luxuries of premium leather, high-end audio systems and that extra touch of grace that comes with a luxury car design.
But buying used negates your warranty coverage. Unless you find a way to get it too.
About certified used cars
Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) cars are recently used cars that have been thoroughly inspected by the manufacturer and agreed to be covered by a warranty.
They tend to cost a bit more than used cars without warranty coverage. But the extra cost is often worth the added peace of mind.
Related: What to look for in a CPO program
About L/Certificate
Lexus calls its CPO program L/Certified. It is one of the best in the automotive industry. All L/Certified cars are six years old or older and have less than 80,000 miles on the odometer. According to the Federal Highway Administration, the average American drives just under 13,500 miles per year. Thus, L/Certified vehicles have been used more lightly than the average car.
Lexus won Best Luxury Brand in our 2023 5-year Cost to Own Awards because they cost their owners less than most rivals’ cars once they drive off the lot.
So an L/Certified car is a car that holds up better than most and has been driven less than average anyway.
Related: Lexus Certified Pre-Owned: What We Like
The Inspection
But even the most well-built cars are subject to wear and tear and require regular maintenance. If you buy a used Lexus without the L/Certified stamp, you’re still betting that the previous owners did all that maintenance on time.
L/Certified vehicles, however, have gone through a 161-point inspection at the hands of a skeptical dealer technician looking for defects. The checklist used by Lexus technicians includes an inspection of normal wear and tear items such as belts and hoses.
But technicians go further, checking maintenance records to make sure the car received the necessary maintenance at the right intervals, filtering the oil for contaminants (a sign of deeper, invisible engine damage), and checking both the exterior as well as the interior in case there are stains or signs of excess. wear and tear
They are transparent about the process. If you’re curious, they’ll even show you the form the inspectors use.
The Guarantee
Lexus protects L/Certified cars with a 2-year warranty. Most CPO programs have a mileage limit on their warranties, but the Lexus program does not. This makes L/Certified cars especially good choices for those who plan to drive a lot. An L/Certified car has been driven lightly and is covered by a 2-year warranty, even if you plan to drive it hard. There is no deductible for covered repairs.
If the L/Certified vehicle you purchase is still covered by its 4-year/50,000 mile new car limited warranty, the additional two years of coverage does not begin until that original warranty has expired.
Free maintenance, car loan and more
The thrill of driving a luxury car is only part of the experience of owning a luxury car. A special treatment by the manufacturer and the dealer is the rest.
Lexus includes four free factory-recommended service appointments in the price of every L/Certified car, as long as you take advantage of them within the first two years or 20,000 miles, whichever comes first.
L/Certified owners also get roadside assistance, a loaner car during dealer appointments that can take more than eight hours, and even a trip interruption plan that covers meals and lodging if a problem with the car leaves you stranded far from home.
The closest thing to a downside to the L/Certified program is that the benefits don’t pass to a third-party owner if you sell the car. But this is typical of CPO programs. Find a Lexus CPO near you.
