HondaTrue Certified vs. HondaTrue Certified+: What Are the Differences?

Certified or Certified+? That’s the big question some of you may have swimming around in your head as you contemplate the differences and benefits of shopping for a Certified Pre-Owned Honda. How do they measure up to one another? Is it actually important to buy a certified Honda? Why not just stick with a basic used Honda? Does Certified+ really deserve the plus at the end? Are you losing out if you go with one or the other? Is it worth it if you just want a basic Honda but still want some kind of coverage just in case anything happens?

It’s easy to get overwhelmed with all of these questions, but the reality is that it’s really much simpler than you think. We will review the benefits of the different certified programs for buying a Honda and how they will impact your shopping decisions. These are extremely important for those of you who have a specific budget in mind or are shopping for a pre-owned vehicle that you want to last for an expected amount of years. Let’s start with the basics of what each offers and then understand how they differ.

What Is HondaTrue Certified?

The HondaTrue Certified is the next step up from the HondaTrue Used, which offers limited benefits above a basic used vehicle. HondaTrue Certified gives you access to benefits for vehicles released within the last six years. This ensures that you’re not getting a vehicle that is too old or a vehicle that has warranty benefits associated with it where it already feels deprecated.

The HondaTrue Certified package also comes with powertrain coverage that spans seven years or 100,000 miles, whichever comes first. You have coverage for up to seven years if you don’t drive your vehicle much. If you drive your vehicle a lot, your coverage is up to 100,000 miles. There is also the bumper-to-bumper limited non-powertrain coverage. This coverage plan works with vehicles purchased within the new vehicle limited warranty period and vehicles that have expired beyond the vehicle limited warranty coverage date.

If you purchase a HondaTrue Certified before the new vehicle’s warranty period expires, you can take advantage of the non-powertrain coverage that covers up to four years or 48,000 miles, whichever comes first. If you purchase a vehicle after the new car’s limited warranty expires, you can take advantage of one year or 12,000-mile non-powertrain coverage. There are a few other benefits as well, including eligibility for Honda Care, roadside assistance, trip interruption, concierge services, and 90 days of SiriusXM.

What Is HondaTrue Certified+?

The HondaTrue Certified+ also offers limited powertrain and non-powertrain coverage, with up to seven years or 100,000 miles worth of powertrain coverage for a Certified Pre-Owned Honda. However, this only applies to vehicles within 12 months of the model year release and less than 12,000 miles from the original in-service date. You also have the added non-powertrain coverage that extends to any vehicle purchased after the new vehicle limited warranty has expired, with coverage for up to five years or 86,000 miles from the original in-service date.

Much like the HondaTrue Certified coverage, you also have complimentary access to two free maintenance visits for oil changes within the first year of ownership and an available three-day exchange opportunity. You can also purchase a separate Honda Care package, and you have access to 24-hour roadside assistance. Much like the standard HondaTrue Certified, you also have trip interruption coverage, concierge service, and 90 free days of SiriusXM Satellite Radio.

What Are The Major Differences Between Certified And Certified+?

You might be scratching your head about the major differences since they offer powertrain and bumper-to-bumper coverage. The differences are in the model year eligibility and the extension of the coverage. You may have noticed that the model year eligibility for HondaTrue Certified vehicles differs from the Certified+ vehicle eligibility.

With HondaTrue Certified, the vehicles must be older than one year but within six years of the model year release. This gives you some leeway to purchase something slightly older than a brand-new Honda but still new enough that it’s not a decade or older when it comes to eligibility for the certified benefits. Additionally, all HondaTrue Certified vehicles must have less than 80,000 miles on the odometer at the time of purchase. This combination of time and miles guarantees a certain level of quality when purchasing a HondaTrue Certified vehicle.

HondaTrue Certified+, however, requires that the vehicle is less than a year old and has less than 12,000 miles on it. This is a fairly new vehicle that is barely used but not entirely brand new. You also have added bonuses with the non-powertrain coverage with HondaTrue Certified+, including up to five years of coverage, as opposed to the standard Certified, which tops out at four years. The Certified+ non-powertrain coverage also extends up to 86,000 miles worth of coverage as opposed to the standard Certified warranty benefits that extend up to 48,000 miles of coverage.

The other difference is that there is available coverage for standard HondaTrue Certified vehicles whose non-powertrain warranty has expired, up to a year’s worth of coverage or 12,000 miles, whichever comes first. This doesn’t apply to HondaTrue Certified+ models because all eligible models are within a year of the model year release, so they are always within the new model year warranty coverage window provided by Honda. HondaTrue Certified vehicles may be just outside the warranty coverage window, which is why they are eligible for one year of non-powertrain coverage.

Which HondaTrue Vehicle Is Right For You?

The options basically boil down to how new you want your Honda and how much you are willing to spend shopping for a certified pre-owned Honda. If you want one of the latest models available but without the price tag of buying brand new, you will definitely want to consider shopping for a HondaTrue Certified+ model. That will easily be a good option for those wanting a high-quality, pre-owned Honda with some of the best warranty coverage.

However, if you still want great coverage but feel like a Certified+ model might be just outside your price range since qualifying vehicles are newer than the standard Certified models, then the standard HondaTrue Certified models are a good option. The HondaTrue Certified models are slightly older and have slightly less range on the non-powertrain coverage, but you may be able to get them for a lower price than a brand-new Honda or a Certified+ model. This opens up shopping opportunities for more customers who may want a little bit more variance when it comes to trim level, mileage, or features.

Let Us Help You Shop for a HondaTrue Vehicle

There is a lot to gain from shopping for a HondaTrue model. You get extra warranty coverage and protection guarantees that you don’t get with a regular purchase. However, if you’re still stuck between going with HondaTrue Certified or Certified+, that’s where we can help you decide by providing you with the information and the ability to test drive the vehicles to figure out what’s best for you. It’s something to consider as you shop for your next Honda, looking for something affordable and worthwhile warranty coverage even when shopping for a used model.