Searching for a car has become unusually frustrating over the past few years as demand and supply have twisted car-buying into a very expensive process. New cars now cost enough to make more people than usual look for a used (or pre-owned) car instead. That's often a great way to get a good car for a lower price, but it does take more research. Many dealerships now offer certified pre-owned cars in addition to regular used cars, and deciding which type you're going to look at is the first in a number of important decisions you have to make. If you're not sure which type of used car to go with, review the pros and cons and ensure that you're choosing the option that you feel most comfortable with.

You'll Pay More, but They'll Inspect More

Certified pre-owned vehicles are used cars, trucks, and SUVs that the dealership has thoroughly inspected and repaired. When you buy one of these, you're getting a car that's been refurbished and should drive as if it were new. When you buy a plain used car, you're not getting that. Good dealerships will ensure a used car is operational and safe to drive, but it's still a used car, and you have to approach it as such by getting it inspected by your mechanic and realizing that you've bought something with a lot of miles on it. This is why the cars are priced the way they are; certified pre-owned cars are generally cheaper than new cars, but they can still cost a lot more than a regular used car. So if you don't mind paying more as long as it gets you a better car, certified pre-owned is a great option. If you're not sure about spending that much, a regular used car may be the better choice for you.

Do You Want a Warranty?

A certified pre-owned car should have some type of warranty. It may not be the full warranty that you'd get with a new car; you may have a shorter time or less work covered by the warranty. Still, you'd have something to help you if the car needed unusual repairs. You don't really get that with regular used cars. If you want a warranty, you'll have a better chance of getting one with a certified pre-owned car.

More Years and More Usage

A certified pre-owned car is not only repaired to the point that it drives like it's new, but it's also usually a car that isn't that old. It may be only a few years old, tops. A regular used car can be any age. That means that with a certified pre-owned car, you're going to be able to drive it for a lot longer after you purchase it.

Find a good dealership that offers both certified pre-owned and regular used cars. Take a look at the stock and test drive as many as you can to ensure that you find something you want to buy and drive off the lot. For more info, contact a pre-owned car dealership near you.