While there is nothing quite like that new car smell, not all consumers take the route of a brand new car when searching for a vehicle. Used vehicles can be a smart choice for today’s savvy consumer. But unless you know something about cars, or have experience under the hood, it can be difficult to be sure you are getting a deal and not a lemon.
You may have heard the term certified pre-owned before. Today most of the major car companies offer some sort of a certified pre-owned program. You may have also noticed that vehicles that have the certified pre-owned label are often priced a bit higher than a typical used vehicle of the same year, make and model. But why? Basically, certified pre-owned means that the vehicle has been inspected, reconditioned and warranted by the manufacturer. Certified used vehicles can be an affordable alternative to purchasing a new car.
Ford also has a certified pre-owned vehicle program. Let’s take a closer look at what makes this program a smart option for consumers. Not just any Ford vehicle can become a certified pre-owned vehicle. To qualify, a vehicle must be under 6 years old and have less than 80,000 miles. Once these qualifications are met, the vehicle must then undergo intensive 172-point inspection by factory trained technicians. Any part that does not meet the Ford Certified pre-owned standards is replaced. Part of the inspection is to obtain a CARFAX® Vehicle History Report.™ This includes checks for:
- Flood vehicles
- Fire damage
- Frame damage
- Salvage vehicles
- Branded title
- Odometer issues
- Accident history
- Vehicle title history
Once a car has met the criteria for being labeled a “Ford Certified Pre-Owned Vehicle” it is then given a 7-year/100,000 mile Ford powertrain limited warranty from warranty start date in addition to a 12-month/12,000 mile Ford limited warranty coverage, and comes with 24/7 roadside assistance, all while being backed my Ford Motor Company. You may sometimes see a vehicle that is labeled “dealer certified.” This is not the same as a vehicle that is certified pre-owned by Ford Motor Company. A dealership may inspect and refurbish a vehicle to it’s own standards, but that is often very different than a program backed by the major car company. A Ford Certified Pre-Owned car can be serviced by any Ford dealership and will fall under the same criteria where ever it is serviced, warranty wise. A dealership certified vehicle may come with a limited warranty, but that warranty will only be honored by the specific dealership that you purchased your vehicle from.
Another benefit to purchasing a Certified Pre-Owned vehicle from Ford is that you will qualify for Ford Financing, and some special Certified Pre-Owned incentives may also apply.
Contact Acton Ford for more information and to explore our used vehicle inventory to find the pre-owned vehicle that is right for you.