Certified doesn’t really mean much. Do you really trust the people who are trying to sell you a car to give you an honest, thorough evaluation of the car’s condition? You’re better off looking at a non-certified car and having a trusted independent mechanic perform a thorough pre-purchase inspection on the car to truly give you an honest report of what shape the car is in. Dealerships charge way too much for a “certified” car and usually it doesn’t mean much at all. 

I find that this guy's (Steve Lehto) YouTube channel to be a good source of info on car legal issues - and sketchy car dealer practices.

This video I think should be informative https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hOH8jXTwELg

I would not bother with going certified esp. on a Toyota.  Save your money.  Even if it was certified, you still should not trust the dealers and will want an independent, honest mechanic to check out the car before you buy.  I’ve seen numerous times where the car was certified but the dealer had really not gone through all the checks as the car still had issues (apparently they missed a lot of areas on their multi-point inspection) - a few of those were so bad it was a deal breaker.  

IMHO, Toyota Certified means it is below a certain mileage and age.  They supposedly do a multi point inspection, but you can get a mechanic to do that on your own.

Otherwise great used cars that go beyond a certain threshold of mileage and age CANNOT be Toyota Certified.  

Depending on the dealer, it can come with warranty.  And you pay a premium for the Toyota Certified.

The only certification you need is from the trusted mechanic you take it to to be looked over. 

I would also say save your money. A good mechanic inspection is all you need.

Certified is nothing more than a marketing scheme. I bought a car from a dealership that was "certified" and it ended having issues. At only 35,000 miles, my car's wheel bearings and control arms were already damaged. Do not trust "certified" and make sure you take a good mechanic to check out any used vehicle.

What does "Certified" actually mean?  Does it include some type of warranty because it's certified?  Are you going to have your attorney with you to read and explain the fine print?  

Re "certified", … just take a hike to the back of just about any new car dealer’s lot, and you will see all bunch of late model cars - with "certified" stickers all ready affixed to the rear quarter windows, yet, … yet most of them have not been inspected, … yet!

Often, … a moister-idiot sales guy (or gal), will actually take you to the back - if you ask him or her to, - to show you a so called "near-new" models that are coming on to the lot shortly. Try it, …

F.S.

If I sold any of you guys a car I would certify it as pre-owned.