How Honda Certifies Pre-Owned Vehicles at Bob Lindsay Honda

Let’s face it, buying a used car is a little like ordering off the “specials” menu at a restaurant you’ve never been to. It might be great, but it might also leave you stranded somewhere on I-74 outside Peoria with a blown head gasket. That’s not the case at Bob Lindsay Honda.

In fact, preventing that is exactly why Honda’s Certified Pre-Owned program exists – and why we take it seriously here at Bob Lindsay Honda. If you’re considering a used Honda, here’s how the certification process works, why it matters, and how you benefit every time you turn the key.

Not All Used Cars Make the Cut

Honda doesn’t hand out that Certified Pre-Owned badge like Halloween candy. To even be considered, a used vehicle has to meet a short list of non-negotiables:

• It must be less than six years old.
• It needs fewer than 80,000 miles on the odometer.
• It has to have a clean title and pass a full vehicle history report.

If a vehicle doesn’t check all those boxes, it’s not certified. Period.

The 182-Point Inspection

Once a car passes the initial qualifications, it goes through a 182-point inspection – think of it as a mechanical background check. Our Honda-trained technicians at Bob Lindsay Honda go bumper to bumper, checking everything from the condition of the brake pads to the performance of the transmission to the stitching on the seats.

Here’s a sample of what gets looked at:

• Engine and drivetrain performance
• Suspension and steering
• Tires and brake condition
• HVAC functionality
• Dashboard electronics and tech features
• Fluid levels and filters
• Interior trim, upholstery, and controls
• Structural integrity and signs of previous repair

And if anything’s off? We fix it with genuine Honda parts. That’s non-negotiable.

Reconditioning: Not Just a Wash and Wax

Any worn or out-of-spec parts are replaced. We’re not talking about sprucing up the paint and vacuuming the carpets – this is mechanical reconditioning. Our goal is to make the car drive and feel like new. That might mean new tires, fresh brake pads, a full fluid flush, or replacing a cracked infotainment screen. If it needs it, we do it.

Backed by Real Warranties

Honda Certified Pre-Owned vehicles come with two levels of warranty coverage:

• 7-Year/100,000-Mile Powertrain Warranty: That’s from the vehicle’s original in-service date, and it covers the engine, transmission, and drivetrain.
• HondaTrue Certified (12-Month/12,000-Mile Non-Powertrain Warranty): That’s bumper-to-bumper coverage once the factory warranty ends.

You also get roadside assistance, two free oil changes, and a 3-month trial of SiriusXM. It’s the kind of backup plan that keeps Peoria commutes stress-free – even in January.

Bonus: The Peace-of-Mind Factor

Honda’s certified pre-owned process isn’t about making a used car look trustworthy. It’s about making sure it is. That’s why everything from a loose tie rod to a malfunctioning power window motor gets caught before the keys ever hit your hand. And it’s why we back every certified vehicle with warranties that are more than just fine print.

Want to see what certified pre-owned really looks like? Come visit Bob Lindsay Honda in Peoria. We’ll show you how we take “used” and turn it into something that feels anything but.