Why would a dealer NOT certify a used car?

1. The various manufacturers each have different standards that cars must meet in order to qualify for their CPO programs. Items that will disqualify a car under all of these programs include:

- Vehicle mileage is outside program parameters
- Vehicle age is outside program parameters
- Branded title
- Frame damage

Prior accidents do not automatically disqualify a vehicle under most CPO programs. As long as the vehicle suffered no frame damage, has been properly repaired, and the accident did not result in a branded title, prior accident history alone almost never means disqualification.

2. Certification is not free to the dealer. In some cases, a dealer may simply decide that any value certification may add in the mind of the customer does not outweigh the additional cost. For example, the dealer may have an extremely low-mileage vehicle that is practically new, with almost all of the original manufacturer's new vehicle warranty remaining. Customers who view this vehicle as "practically new" may not see the value in paying a higher price for certification. And even if the manufacturer's new vehicle warranty is not as long as the CPO warranty, the dealer stands a good chance of picking up additional profit on the non-certified vehicle when his F&I manager sells the customer an extended service contract to make up the difference.

3. The dealer may wish to advertise a vehicle at the lowest possible price. When prospective buyers are perusing advertisements for similar vehicles, the ability to list a vehicle at a price that is $2,000 lower than competitors may make the difference between getting phone calls and getting nothing.