Are pre-owned cars the same as used cars?

Yes, "pre-owned" and "used" cars are essentially the same thing. They both refer to vehicles that have been previously owned and driven by someone else.

The term "pre-owned" is often used by dealerships or car sellers to make the cars sound more appealing. It can imply a higher level of quality or that the car has been carefully maintained.

However, there is no official distinction between "pre-owned" and "used." They are both simply different ways of describing the same thing: a car that has had a previous owner.