(August 13, 2018) ATLANTA — As new model year vehicles begin to find their way into dealerships, the back half of the year is a great time to take advantage of deals on available certified pre-owned (CPO) vehicles.

"The extra cost of a certified pre-owned vehicle may seem like a lot, but it provides more peace of mind than a regular used car," said Brian Moody, executive editor for Autotrader. "You can't discount the value of a comprehensive inspection, which every CPO vehicle goes through, and the added perks of CPO are a great option for buyers to consider."

The editors at Autotrader have rounded up some of the best CPO deals to help shoppers find that perfect certified pre-owned vehicle to get through the dog days of summer.

Top Picks

This month, Acura is offering an incentive to sweeten the deal on its certified pre-owned program: through the end of August, qualified shoppers interested in a certified pre-owned MDX or RDX can get 0.99 percent interest for up to 36 months, 1.99 percent for up to 60 months, and 2.99 for up to 72 months — excellent offers for used vehicles.

BMW's certified pre-owned program offers an excellent deal to entice qualified buyers: through the end of August, BMW is offering 1.9 percent interest for up to 60 months on certified pre-owned 2014-2016 versions of the 3 Series, 4 Series, and 5 Series.

Buick's certified pre-owned program is offering a good deal for qualified shoppers interested in financing their next vehicle, touting 1.9 percent interest for up to 36 months on all certified pre-owned versions of the Enclave and Encore crossovers. That's a good deal on a used car, especially when you factor in the enticing CPO warranty.

Chevrolet's certified pre-owned program is touting an alluring special finance offer for qualified shoppers interested in a CPO vehicle: 1.9 percent interest for up to 36 months on all certified pre-owned Chevy Cruze, Equinox, Malibu, and Traverse models.

Ford's certified pre-owned program is offering an impressive deal: through the end of the month, qualified shoppers interested in a certified pre-owned Ford can get 1.9 percent interest for up to 36 months, 2.9 percent for 60 months, or 3.9 percent for 72 months — all enticing deals, especially for used vehicles.

Lincoln's certified pre-owned program offers an excellent deal on certified pre-owned models: through the end of the month, Lincoln is offering 2.9 percent interest for up to 66 months on all CPO models, which is an excellent deal with a long term.

Mazda's certified pre-owned program offers an appealing benefit: a low-interest finance rate. For qualified shoppers interested in financing a certified pre-owned Mazda, the automaker is offering 0.9 percent interest for up to 36 months, which is a great deal for a used vehicle.

Subaru's certified pre-owned program is offering qualified shoppers an excellent deal: interest rates starting at 1.49 percent for up to 36 months, which is a low rate for a desirable vehicle like a certified pre-owned Subaru.

If you're looking for budget-friendly car with the peace of mind that comes with a long warranty, you'll want to check out our list of the top CPO deals and incentives available in August.