FAQ Regarding Approved Used Cars Approved Used Car Schemes are one of the finest methods to get your hands on a used car without worrying about its condition or mechanical reliability.But what exactly is an approved used automobile plan, how does it work, what does the premium you pay get you, and why might it not be good for you? All of these questions are addressed further below. 1.What exactly is an Approved Used car? An authorised used car is simply the greatest used car you can buy - one that has been handpicked off the dealership forecourt due to its excellent condition. A automobile that is so good that the dealer franchise groups it with the rest of the best used cars it has in stock under an umbrella - also known as the authorised used car programme. Manufacturers have their own names for similar programmes, such as Lexus SELECT and Alfa Romeo Selected For You, but the bottom line is that these programmes combine the peace of mind of buying new with the savings of buying used. 2.Why should you buy an Approved Pre-Owned car? When you dig into the specifics of what these programmes provide, it becomes evident that a certified used car provides many of the same benefits as a new car. Let's take a deeper look at the Mercedes-Benz scheme; all automobiles in its Approved Used Range have been subjected to a multi-point inspection – including a mechanical health check and a road test – and Mercedes ensures that everything is in working order as a result.To be sure, each car on the scheme comes with at least a 12-month/unlimited mileage warranty, as well as £100 per day toward a rental car if your Mercedes needs to be repaired. In addition, if your automobile is more than two years old and fails a MoT, Mercedes will cover the cost of any MoT failures up to the price of the car. However, this should not be the case because all automobiles come with a comprehensive history check ensuring the car has the correct mileage, no outstanding financing, and has never been written off, as well as a certificate confirming the chassis and engine numbers match. The icing on the cake is the 12-month roadside support, which will get you back on the road if you are in an accident, lock yourself out or get a puncture, your car is vandalised, or it breaks down. We've used Mercedes as an example of the kind of assistance you may expect from an approved used plan, but most – if not all – of these elements will be featured in used schemes supplied by other manufacturers. 3.Is it worthwhile to invest in an Approved Used car scheme? Let's not mince words: buying a used automobile from a franchised dealer is more expensive than buying one privately, and buying an approved used car is even more expensive. What you're paying for is the assurance that your automobile is in excellent functioning order and will remain so if you service it properly, as well as the knowledge that it comes with a guarantee that will cover any issues that arise. You may have to settle for a less expensive model in exchange for this peace of mind. You may have to forego some of the opulent gadgets you imagined – those massaging chairs, for example, may have to take a back, er, seat – or you may have to give up your ambition of having a powerful engine. Only you know how important peace of mind is to you, but purchasing an approved used automobile comes with its own set of sacrifices.