Opting for a pre-owned vehicle can be a great way to save a little cash when you’re on the hunt for your next car, truck, or SUV, but it can come with some risks. While browsing vehicle history reports, pressing the dealer for relevant details, and carefully comparing prices on similar makes and models can go a long way towards landing you a good deal, there is always going to be a little uncertainty baked into the equation. Some drivers choose to avoid this sort of automotive anxiety by investing in a brand-new model, but that option isn’t always sensible or financially feasible for many buyers.
That’s where Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) vehicles come in. CPO vehicles are basically pre-owned models that have been thoroughly inspected, reconditioned, and verified by a manufacturer or dealership. It’s not all talk. Dealers back up their CPO models with generous warranties that allow drivers to hit the road with the peace of mind that your average pre-owned vehicle simply can’t offer. If you’re in the market for a used Ford for sale, you might have come across the company’s own CPO offering in the Ford Blue Advantage program. While Ford once limited its CPO program to the Blue and Gold levels, the rise of all-electric models has seen the automaker devise a new offering aimed directly at the EV segment. This approach makes sense when you consider the inherent differences between EVs and their gas-powered competitors, which are built around entirely different powertrains, components, and systems. How do these three CPO programs compare, and which should you consider when you set out to buy your next daily driver, family hauler, or work truck? Let’s review the Blue, Gold, and EV Certified programs and see which is the right choice when it comes time to buy.
Blue Certified
Blue Certified represents Ford’s most popular CPO offering, and it’s easy to see why. To qualify for the program, Blue Certified vehicles must pass an exhaustive 139-point inspection performed by Ford factory-trained technicians. The rigorous inspection process includes a detailed examination of the engine bay, electrical systems, underbody components, comfort and convenience features, diagnostics, exterior, a 13-point road test, and even a detailed CARFAX vehicle history report to ensure the vehicle has a clean record. Only vehicles that meet these lofty standards will receive Ford’s full 90-day/4,000-mile comprehensive limited warranty coverage, which covers parts vital to the safe and consistent operation of the vehicle from the engine and transmission to the brakes, steering, climate control system, emissions components, audio system and more. Blue Certified vehicles are also packed with a 14-day/1,000 mile money-back guarantee that gives drivers plenty of time to get a feel for their new ride and, if they’re not satisfied, return it to the dealership with no questions asked.
The CPO program’s warranty and thorough inspection are two of its biggest selling points, but plenty of other perks make the Blue Certified vehicles such a worthwhile investment. Buyers will also be treated to complimentary 24/7 roadside assistance for the first 90 days, including towing, jumpstarts, tire changes, lockout services, $1,000 in travel expense reimbursement, $75 towards public transportation costs, and rental car reimbursement for overnight repairs. Blue Certified vehicles also qualify for a free, all-access three-month trial subscription to SiriusXM satellite radio and allow drivers to rack up 11,000 FordPass Rewards Points that can be redeemed for new parts, accessories, or even discounts on new vehicles. Speaking of parts, drivers can rest easy knowing that their Blue Certified vehicles have been reconditioned using only manufacturer-authorized parts that meet the highest standard for quality and performance.
What does it take for a vehicle to qualify for the Blue Certified designation? In addition to passing the 139-point inspection and returning a clean CARFAX vehicle history report, a Blue Certified model must be less than ten years old and have fewer than 120,000 miles on the odometer. The Ford Blue Certified program also distinguishes itself from your average CPO system in one important way. While most brands limit CPO offerings to their own vehicles, Ford also extends Blue Certified status to a wide variety of non-Ford models. These vehicles go through the same extensive 139-point inspection and carry the same 90-day warranty while opening up the door to a wider selection of makes and models.
Gold Certified
If you’re looking for a CPO vehicle that meets the highest standards, go for the gold. Exclusive to vehicles that are less than six years old and have been driven fewer than 80,000 miles, Ford Blue Advantage’s Gold Certified program ups the ante with a comprehensive inspection process and enhanced warranty coverage. We’ll start with the inspection, which sees the 139-point review replaced with a detailed 172-point process designed to ensure nothing slips through the cracks. Ford technicians check to ensure the vehicle has adhered to the recommended maintenance schedule and even perform emissions-related tests in states where such standards apply. The road test adds six new diagnostics related to engine noise, shift quality, drive axle/transfer case operation, and mor,e while the interior, exterior, powertrain, underbody components, and safety systems are subject to an even more rigorous review.
If a vehicle is able to pass this meticulous gauntlet of inspections and assessments, it’s rewarded with a 12-month/12,000-mile comprehensive limited warranty that covers more than 1,000 components. Gold Certified vehicles also qualify for seven-year/100,000-mile Powertrain Limited Warranty Coverage that offers long-term security for some of the most important and expensive components that power today’s vehicles, not to mention the same 14-day/1,000 mile money back guarantee found on Blue Certified models. Gold Certified vehicles come with the same free CARFAX vehicle history report, SiriusXM trial subscription, and manufacturer-authorized replacement parts as Blue Certified vehicles, but offer a few improvements that make the higher certification worthy of a closer look.
While Blue Certified vehicles are limited to 90 days of free 24/7 roadside assistance, rental reimbursements, and all the other perks that prevent an accident or unexpected issue from throwing a wrench into your daily life, Gold Certified models extend that coverage to a full seven years. That’s almost 30 times longer than the Blue Certified program, which means you’ll have one less thing to worry about when you’re behind the wheel of your Gold Certified Ford. Vehicles that meet Ford’s highest CPO standard are also rewarded with 20,000 Ford Pass Reward Points, which can really help to offset the cost of your next purchase or maintenance-related visit. If there’s one downside to the Ford Gold Certified program, it would have to be the fact that only Ford vehicles qualify for the designation. That might sound a bit limiting if you’re in the market for a non-Ford vehicle, but it speaks to how seriously the brand takes this level of certification.
EV Certified
In a bid to stay ahead of a quickly evolving market, Ford has introduced a new level of CPO certification designed specifically for electric vehicles. Launched in 2023, the Ford Blue Advantage EV Certified program allows drivers to enjoy all the benefits of the CPO experience while embracing a new generation of all-electric vehicles. The comprehensive policy is closer to Gold Certified than Blue Certified in terms of coverage, offering a 12-month/12,000-mile comprehensive limited warranty, 20,000 FordPass Rewards Points, and the same 14-day/1,000-mile money-back guarantee. The Comprehensive Limited Warranty that comes with EV Certified Ford vehicles covers many of the same components as the Blue and Gold levels but offers added protection for the battery and EV motors that play an important role in an all-electric powertrain.
The biggest difference between EV Certified and Gold Certified comes down to the inspection process, which covers 127 points versus 172 for Gold Certified vehicles. This disparity might seem a little suspect, but it’s easy to explain if you understand the inner workings of EV technology. Gas-powered vehicles are incredibly complex, especially when it comes to the engine and the rest of the powertrain. Between pistons, valves, connecting rods, camshafts, and all the equipment required to keep the fuel flowing, the average internal combustion vehicle might use as many as 200 parts just to get the wheels spinning. EVs employ a much simpler design, with the powertrain on some all-electric models encompassing just around 20 individual parts. This trend isn’t limited to the powertrain. According to some experts, an EV can be built using half as many parts as would be required for a comparable internal combustion model. This straightforward design gives EVs a leg up when it comes to repair and maintenance, and also goes a long way towards streamingling the inspection process.
With three levels of coverage to choose from, the Ford Blue Advantage CPO program aims to give drivers the upper hand when shopping on the pre-owned market. Blue Certified vehicles offer great value for a relatively low price and even include non-Ford models that allow drivers to embrace a new brand backed by the kind of reliability that only Ford can offer. Gold Certified vehicles meet the highest standard of quality and performance, offering drivers the new car experience at a significant discount. The new EV Certified program is specifically tailored to the needs of today’s all-electric vehicles, which continue to play a large role in the Ford lineup. Between the comprehensive limited warranty, 7-year or 100,000-mile powertrain limited warranty, 14-day/1,000-mile money-back guarantee, and all the associated perks, it’s hard to make a case against Ford Blue Advantage if you’re the type of buyer who’s tired of testing their luck with used car lots and private sales.
