If you’ve ever had to buy or sell a used car on platforms like Marketplace (on which we spend too much time browsing, as evidenced by the Marketplace Finds segment of our podcast), you’ll know that it’s never a straightforward process. On the buyers’ side, it’s impossible to assess a unit’s true condition from photos and owner disclosures alone, while on the part of sellers, it can be difficult to get the best value out of a car and to make it stand out amid so many other listings for the same model.
The new Honda Certified Plus program aims to simplify all of this, at least for those looking to buy or sell a preowned Honda vehicle. Through this car certification scheme, secondhand units for sale can get an official rating after undergoing a four-step process.
How can a used car get Honda Certified Plus certification?
The first step is pre-qualification. To qualify, a Honda unit must be no more than 10 years old or have a mileage of no more than 100,000km. Even cars with irregular or no service visits may be eligible. The second step is a 288-point quality inspection conducted by Honda-trained technicians, who will then discuss the assessment result and the service recommendations with the owner.
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After this, the third step—rectification—addresses the issues found during the inspection. Repairs are conducted by Honda technicians using genuine Honda parts and lubricants. Once the repairs are complete, the assessment result will be updated and a Certified Plus rating will be given to the vehicle.
Honda Certified Plus ratings
There are two rating levels under the Honda Certified Plus program. A maximum four-star rating may be given to vehicles up to five years old, with mileage of up to 50,000km. A three-star rating, meanwhile, may be given to vehicles that are more than five years old up 10 years old, with mileage of more than 50,000km up to 100,000km.
Certified vehicles may be declared as such on listings. They are also eligible for posting on Honda’s upcoming preowned vehicle website.
At the moment, the pilot dealerships for the Honda Certified Plus program are:
- Honda Cars Makati
- Honda Cars Alabang
- Honda Cars Quezon City
- Honda Cars Marcos Highway
- Honda Cars Fairview
- Honda Cars Batangas
“By establishing the Honda Certified Plus Program, Honda Cars Philippines aims to help existing customers get the best price from selling their Honda vehicle,” reads the official statement. “At the same time, HCPI ensures their new owners experience the joy of buying a safe and roadworthy vehicle.”
