- Toyota has taken out the top spot for certified used cars in the Reader's Digest service awards.
- Toyota Certified beat Honda's Certified Used program for the gold award.
- Previous called Signature Class, Toyota has offered the used car refurbishment programme since 1997.
Toyota New Zealand’s used-car arm, Toyota Certified, has taken out gold in the Manufacturer Certified Used Car Sales category at the Reader’s Digest 2027 Quality Service Awards.
The award is based on independent research by Catalyst Research, which surveyed more than 1400 New Zealanders across the usual customer-service touchpoints: personalisation, understanding, simplicity, satisfaction and consistency. In other words, the stuff that actually matters when you’re handing over your money for a used car and hoping it doesn’t become a problem child six weeks later.
It’s the first time Toyota Certified has picked up the award under that name, following the switch from Toyota Signature Class in November 2025. That makes the result more than just a nice pat on the back for Toyota New Zealand, as it strongly suggests the rebrand has landed properly and that the programme is doing what it’s supposed to do.
Before a car can wear the Toyota Certified badge, it undergoes a comprehensive mechanical and quality inspection by trained Toyota technicians. This covers the engine, transmission, suspension, brakes, and electrical systems to ensure they meet strict manufacturer standards.
Each vehicle is checked to confirm its history, ensuring there are no outstanding financial interests or records of significant accident damage, and all Certified vehicles come with a 1 year/15,000km factory-backed warranty and 24/7 roadside assistance. The warranty can be extended by further year (or 15,000km) each time a scheduled service is completed at an authorised Toyota Store, up to a maximum of 10 years and 150,000km.
Toyota New Zealand chief strategic officer Andrew Davis said the recognition reflects the people behind the program as much as the program itself.
"We know buying a used vehicle is a big decision. Customers want to feel confident in the vehicle they're choosing, but also in the people they're dealing with and the process behind it," he said.
"Toyota Certified provides that foundation, but it's our Toyota Store teams that bring it to life every day."
Davis also pointed to the importance of reliable used transport in the current market, saying that New Zealanders are heavily reliant on motor vehicles every day and for many, a safe and reliable used vehicle is the most practical option.
"This result is a testament to the work happening across our Store network and the effort our teams put into delivering a consistent customer experience for every customer who walks through the door," he said.
Honda's Certified Used programme took up the runner-up spot, with other automotive categories being won by AA Insurance (car insurance), Avis (car rentals), AA Motoring (roadside assistance), Bridgestone (tyre retailers/service centres) and Turners (used vehicle dealerships).