You may be tempted to finance a brand-new vehicle, but don't rule out pre-owned cars until you've considered all of the benefits that could be had. Following are just a few good reasons to consider buying pre-owned instead of new:

Take Advantage of Certification

Nowadays there are a variety of certification programs out there that inspect, refurbish, and certify participating vehicles to ensure that that they perform like new. Certified pre-owned cars typically come with some kind of extended warranty that may cover just the engine and drive train, or it might cover everything under the hood for a specified amount of time.

Certification gives you the peace of mind of knowing that you won't have to worry about breakdowns anytime soon, and if a breakdown does occur, an extended warranty will help ensure that you aren't left with unexpected repair bills. If you buy a pre-owned vehicle that has been certified, make sure the inspections for the certification were done by a third party as opposed to the dealer's team to avoid bias.

Save Money on Insurance and Registration

Many states base registration fees on the purchase price of a given vehicle, so depending on where you live, you may be able to save a significant amount of money on registration fees by purchasing your vehicle used and for a lesser amount than its new counterpart. You will likely save some money on your insurance premiums, as they're usually based on the value of the vehicle, too. Buying used doesn't have to mean sacrificing quality, but it does mean investing in a cheaper vehicle compared to buying new.

And you may be able to drop various elements of your insurance policy because they aren't required by law like they would be if you were to buy new. For example, you may not have to pay for collision insurance or worry about theft inclusions if your vehicle is old enough at the time of purchasing your policy.

Enjoy Minimal Depreciation

Vehicles lose about 60 percent of their value on average within just the first five years of being on the road. While all vehicles continue to lose value as they age, buying a used car that's at least five years old will help ensure that you don't take that large depreciation hit. Depreciation doesn't need to be factored into your purchasing decision if you plan to keep the car until it dies.

But if you think you might trade it in or sell it in the future, depreciation needs to be considered, or you might end up losing money when it's time to get rid of the car. Look for a used vehicle to invest in with impressive fuel economy and lower-than-average miles to minimize depreciation as time goes on.

Gain Access to Affordable Upgrades

Another great reason to consider buying your next vehicle pre-owned instead of new is that you'll have an opportunity to access affordable upgrades that you may not want to pay for if you had to have them installed in a new car. Many used vehicles have already been upgraded with aftermarket parts and accessories by a previous owner, which means you can enjoy the features without having to make the initial investment for them. So even if you have to pay a little more for that cool stereo system or upgraded air conditioner, chances are that you'll be paying a fraction of what you would have paid for these features brand new.

After a little window shopping, it should be easy to create your own list of benefits to enjoy if you purchase your next vehicle used.