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What Does Certified Pre-Owned Mean

Published on Feb 4, 2026 by Fred Martin

What Does Certified Pre-Owned Mean

Have you been shopping for used cars? You may have been surprised, like a lot of Akron drivers, that there are more options for getting a pre-owned vehicle than you expected. For instance, you’ve likely come across vehicles that are labeled “CPO”, meaning “Certified Pre-Owned”. What does “certified pre-owned” mean, and how do those vehicles differ from other used cars? In short, a certified pre-owned vehicle is a pre-owned car that has been certified by the manufacturer, such as Nissan, to meet certain quality standards before it can be sold. Take a look at what that means in more detail with Fred Martin Nissan and then browse our certified pre-owned inventory to find the right CPO vehicle for you!

Nissan Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles

So, what does certified pre-owned mean, as far as what you can expect from the vehicle? Nissan will categorize some pre-owned cars as “CPO”, meaning that those vehicles have passed a rigorous inspection process and are covered by warranty. In order to be certified by Nissan, a pre-owned car must pass one of two inspections:

Nissan Certified

  • Vehicle must be less than six years old and have less than 80,000 miles
  • Vehicle must pass a 167-point inspection
  • Available Carfax vehicle history report

Nissan Certified Select

  • Vehicle must be less than ten years old and have less than 100,000 miles
  • Vehicle must pass an 84-point inspection
  • Available Carfax vehicle history report


When a vehicle has met one of those two categories, Canton drivers can expect the following benefits:

Nissan Certified

  • 7-year/100,000-mile limited warranty
  • 24/7 hour roadside assistance
  • 1 year pre-paid maintenance included


Nissan Certified Select

  • 6-months/6,000-mile limited warranty
  • 24/7 hour roadside assistance
  • 1 complimentary service visit included

Benefits of CPO Vehicles

How does the experience of owning a certified pre-owned car compare to buying a regular used car for your Akron commute? Here are a few key differences:

  • Used cars are usually not under warranty or covered by a vehicle exchange program
  • Complimentary maintenance visits are not offered for used cars
  • Used cars are inspected by technicians, but are not required to pass the stringent certification inspection
  • Used cars are not necessarily low-mileage or late-model

Check Out the Certified Pre-Owned Cars at Fred Martin Nissan

We have a wide selection of cars that have been labeled CPO, meaning they are the finest pre-owned vehicles we have to offer and are backed by warranty. Come take one for a test drive! Just be sure to take advantage of our offers and incentives. In the meantime, you can learn more by reading about the Nissan Certified Pre-Owned program. We’re just a short drive away from Massillon and we’re here to help you find your perfect car. Contact us today!