Blue vs Gold Certification: Ford CPO Categories and What They Mean

If you’re looking for a NY certified pre-owned Ford dealer, then DePaula Ford is the dealership for you. At DePaula, you can find your pick of certified pre-owned models in our large inventory. But you may be wondering about some of the terminology – for instance, what does it mean for a vehicle to be Blue vs Gold certified? That’s why we are here to help and give you some background to help you in your search for the perfect certified pre-owned Ford.

While we’re often accustomed to comparing and categorizing things as “good” and “bad” based on their level, the truth is that both Blue and Gold certified pre-owned vehicles are great options. It’s just more about what the individual is looking for in a vehicle. When we say “Blue vs Gold certified,” we’re simply pointing out the differences between them so that you can see what looks best to you. In this article, we’ll tell you about Ford’s Blue two pre-owned certification levels and then compare the two at the end. But first, let’s talk about what a certified pre-owned vehicle is.

What Does It Mean When A Vehicle Is Certified Pre-Owned?

People often want to buy new because they feel that the larger payment is worth the security of having a stable vehicle with no wear and tear and a clean history report. However, now, you can purchase used vehicles that offer many of the same benefits that a new vehicle does. That’s where certified pre-owned models come in. Certified pre-owned vehicles (otherwise known as “CPOs”) are essentially newer used vehicles that come with more perks than a traditional used vehicle.

This is a very different process compared to buying an old Ford Focus from your neighbor. The CPO option comes with protection and reliability guaranteed by Ford itself. CPOs have to go through extensive testing, including multi-point inspections and a thorough vehicle history report. Further, CPO vehicles can’t be too old, usually being five years old or newer. You’ll also get an extended factory warranty with your CPO. Overall, these used vehicles come with a lot more security and reliability than a regular used model.

The Blue Certificate

The CPO Blue certificate comes with everything we just mentioned: a detailed inspection, a free CARFAX vehicle report, an extended factory warranty, and much more. The difference between the Blue and Gold certificate lies in coverage levels. First, the Blue certification comes with a 90-day or 4,000-mile warranty and 24/7 roadside assistance. Roadside assistance here includes travel expense reimbursements of up to $1,000. If your car breaks down 100 miles or more from your home, this travel reimbursement lasts for five days after you have a breakdown.

You’ll also get destination expense assistance to cover public transportation costs up to $75. Last but not least, roadside assistance on Blue-certified vehicles includes rental car reimbursement for overnight repairs. If needed, you can use this reimbursement for ten days. The good news about that is that most minor repairs, and even some major repairs, will often be completed before this time period. All these impressive benefits are obviously not something you’d receive with a regular used model, which is part of what makes CPOs even more appealing.

Now, let’s review the inspection. With the Blue level, you’ll get a 139-point inspection on your CPO, which covers way too much for you to read here. As a result, we’ll shorten it down to give you an idea of what’s covered. This inspection includes items such as the vehicle’s wiper motors, calipers, cylinder head, cables and wiring, the radio, your safety components, driver-assist features, power seat motors, starter motor, driveshaft, and much, much more. Basically, 139 of your CPO’s components will be checked.

In addition to this, you’ll also get a free CARFAX report showing the clean history of your vehicle. But this is mostly a formality as our 139-point multi-point inspection will ensure that your vehicle is in tip-top shape before we sell it. As you can see, there are several perks to buying a Blue certified used vehicle that aren’t available if you’re purchasing a traditional used model.

The Gold Certificate

Obviously, the Gold certificate for CPOs is considered “higher” than the Blue one. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the one you should go with. The Gold and Blue certificates are very similar. Let’s look at what the Gold certification has to offer so you can see if the differences are worth the extra cost for you or not. This certification comes with a 12-month or 12,000-mile Comprehensive Limited Warranty and a 7-year or 100,000-mile Powertrain Limited Warranty. The Gold multi-point inspection covers 172 points, touching on more aspects than the Blue certification.

However, you get the same roadside assistance, travel expense reimbursement, and free CARFAX report that you get with the Blue certification. In summary, the Gold certification offers a larger inspection and a longer, broader warranty. But while the Gold certified models have significantly longer factory support, they do not go through a meaningfully different process than the Blue-certified vehicles.

Blue vs Gold Certified Pre-Owned Vehicle

So, the question is: which one is better? The Blue certification or the Gold? Like we said before, neither is necessarily “better.” If you purchase a newer CPO, you’re not as likely to need the longer warranty or the larger inspection because it’s less likely to have wear and tear. Arguably the largest difference between the two is that the Blue Certification includes vehicles that are up to 10 years old or 120,000 miles, whereas Gold certified Ford CPOs can only be up to 6 years old or have 80,000 miles. So, it’s not that one is “better,” it’s that Gold options generally have a bit less wear and tear, and their mileage isn’t as high as Blue certified models.

Other Benefits Of Ford’s CPO Program

We often assume that added benefits and flexibility are too much to ask for unless we’re buying new. That’s not the case with Ford CPOs. Whether you choose a Blue or a Gold certified vehicle, you get factory support, warranties, and you can even exchange your vehicle if you change your mind about it, as long as you do it within four days or 200 miles from the time you buy it. This is another reason to buy CPO and why you don’t have to buy a new model just to get security. Companies like Ford are making it much easier to purchase a used model without anxiety surrounding its condition.

Additionally, if a prospective CPO doesn’t fully pass its multi-point inspection, dealers will recondition the model, fixing any issues they find. The best news that we have for you regarding CPOs is that you’ll often get a much lower interest rate than you would on a new model, and Ford’s CPO programs even offer free maintenance for a certain time or mileage period. It’s safe to say that overall, whether you buy Blue or Gold, buying Ford CPO is worth considering. If you’re around the Albany, NY, area, visit DePaula Ford to learn more about your next certified pre-owned model.