It’s Time to Shop for a Ford Certified Pre-Owned Vehicle

If you’re shopping for a used car, you’re probably hoping to find a vehicle that has very low mileage, is within the past few model years, has no known issues, and is in fantastic shape. Some people might laugh at the idea of finding a unicorn like that in the wild, but these are exactly the types of vehicles that you can expect from the Ford Blue Advantage Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) program. If you’re looking for a used Ford for sale near Schenectady and you have very specific demands for your next vehicle, you might consider the Ford Blue Advantage program.  

While there’s no rule saying you can’t shop for your very own unicorn in the wild, the Ford Blue Advantage program is specifically designed to help drivers like you find their next like-new vehicle. If you are interested in a no-nonsense used car shopping experience in which the word “advantage” has several meanings, you might consider shopping for a Ford Certified Pre-Owned vehicle.

What Is the Ford Blue Advantage Program?

If you’re tired of gambling when buying a used car, you’ll love what the Ford Blue Advantage program has to offer: full peace of mind with no regrets. The Ford Blue Advantage program offers a special selection of previously owned Ford vehicles. These vehicles must meet specific guidelines, which include the age of the vehicle and the number of miles it has on it.

If the vehicle meets these preliminary qualifications, it then must undergo a demanding inspection process, which is conducted by a certified Ford technician. Any defects or concerns must be noted on an inspection report and corrected using genuine Ford parts. A CARFAX vehicle history report confirms whether anything has happened to the vehicle previously. Vehicles that pass all of these steps are then offered through the Ford Blue Advantage program.

The major “advantage” of this Certified Pre-Owned car program is the manufacturer’s involvement in the process. Ford must sign off on each and every vehicle within the Ford Blue Advantage program because each vehicle is backed by manufacturer’s warranties. The exact warranty coverage depends on which level of the program the vehicle falls under, but all warranty work is handled through Ford rather than the dealership from which you bought the car.

Furthermore, Ford offers complimentary roadside assistance with each CPO vehicle. This 24/7 service includes not only jumps, gas, tows, and other emergency services but also travel and rental car reimbursement. Lastly, you have two weeks to see if your new-to-you Ford is really the perfect vehicle. With a 14-day/1,000-mile Money Back Guarantee, you have the opportunity to give your Ford Blue Advantage vehicle a try with your lifestyle without risk.

What Do the Different Levels Mean?

Whether your idea of adventure leans more towards kayaking the Mohawk River or spending the day hunkered down at one of Schenectady’s many bookstores, there’s a Ford vehicle that matches your lifestyle and driving personality. To match your budget and preferences, there are three levels within the Ford Blue Advantage CPO Program.

Blue Certified

Unlike the other levels of the Ford Blue Advantage program, any make and model can be Blue Certified, not just Ford vehicles. The Blue Certified designation is granted to vehicles that are no more than 10 years old. So, for the 2024 model year, that would include models produced since 2015. To be considered for the Blue Certified program, these vehicles must have fewer than 150,000 miles and a clean CARFAX report. Then, the vehicles undergo a 139-point inspection by certified Ford technicians.

Vehicles that have qualified as Blue Certified come with a 90-day/4,000-mile Comprehensive Limited Warranty. If the vehicle you purchase still has some of its original Ford New Vehicle Bumper-to-Bumper Limited Warranty remaining, this Comprehensive Limited Warranty will take effect once that has expired. Otherwise, this warranty will be available right away.  

Gold Certified

Ford Gold Certified used vehicles are newer, with fewer miles. To qualify for this level of certification, vehicles must have been produced within the past six model years and have fewer than 80,000 miles on them. Drivers who are shopping in 2024 will be looking at models no older than the 2019 model year.

These vehicles include a few extra perks. First, they undergo a much more rigid 172-point inspection process. Once they pass their inspection, the Comprehensive Limited Warranty for these vehicles is extended to 12 months or 12,000 miles, whichever comes first. Additionally, a seven-year/100,000-mile Powertrain Limited Warranty is offered on these vehicles, although this warranty is calculated from when the vehicle was first sold as new.

EV Certified

There is also an EV Certified level within the Ford Blue Advantage Program. This is comparable to the Gold Certified level, but it has been adjusted to meet the unique needs of electric vehicles. Like Gold Certified vehicles, EV Certified models must be no more than six years old and have fewer than 80,000 miles on them. After passing a 127-point inspection (this inspection is just as thorough as the 172-point Gold Certified inspection, electric vehicles just have fewer parts to inspect), Ford EV Certified used vehicles receive 12-month/12,000-mile Comprehensive Limited Warranty coverage as well as an eight-year/100,000-mile BaseCARE EV Limited Warranty.

What Does the Inspection Cover?

The peace of mind that comes from knowing your used vehicle has been fully inspected by a certified technician can give everyone extra peace of mind. Each inspection includes not just a visual and hands-on check of the various components but functional testing as well. Though it may seem basic, the Ford Blue Advantage inspection process includes simple activities, like opening and closing power-operated liftgates and double-checking the cruise control.  

From the safety belt buckles to the radio, every detail of a car will be carefully inspected. All of the seals and gaskets will be checked, along with brakes, suspension, steering, and electrical components. Even the components of the Ford CoPilot360 package of driver assistance technology will be checked to ensure they function properly.  

Should the technicians discover anything that does not live up to the certification standards, it may only be replaced with genuine Ford parts. Best of all, these details will be noted on the Vehicle Inspection Checklist, which is submitted to Ford as part of the CPO program. You can request a copy of your vehicle’s inspection report when you purchase it.

Shopping for a Ford Certified Pre-Owned Vehicle

Schenectady is home to history, nature, and, above all, finding your own adventure. The Ford lineup of vehicles makes it easier than ever to start your journey. Buying a used Ford car, truck, or SUV is a wise choice since you know you’re buying a reliable, enjoyable vehicle. Buying a vehicle that has been certified through the Ford Blue Advantage CPO program is not just a wise choice but one that can bring you significant peace of mind. 

Not only have Ford Blue Certified, Ford Gold Certified, and Ford EV Certified used vehicles been fully inspected to ensure all of their parts, features, and technology are operating properly, but they are backed by a manufacturer’s warranty in the event that something should happen after you drive off the lot. There’s no way to guarantee that nothing bad will ever happen to your next vehicle, but selecting a car, truck, or SUV that has been certified through the Ford Blue Advantage program is a smart way to shop for a vehicle with low mileage and low risk.