Certified pre-owned cars

Learn about certified pre-owned cars and manufacturer programs.

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Used car programs

Shop smart with vehicle certification and condition programs

Factory warranty

The vehicle manufacturer will typically honor the warranty. If a Ford Certified Pre-Owned vehicle breaks down, any authorized Ford dealer in the country will honor the warranty.
Strict inspection standards

Strict, uniform, and high-standard inspection (often 100+ points) set by the corporate factory.
Key advantage: Peace of mind

Highest level of peace of mind and resale value. Usually includes manufacturer-backed roadside assistance, free loaner vehicles, and complimentary satellite radio trials.

Third-party warranty

The dealer or a third-party insurer provides a warranty, this may not be the manufacturer vehicle. It may have higher deductibles or fewer covered components compared to a factory warranty.
Inspection standards vary

Inspections vary widely and are often less rigorous than manufacturer standards.
Key advantage: Affordability

Can be cheaper; offers a way to get a "certified" used car for a brand that doesn't have a local dealer nearby.

Shop Certified Pre-Owned cars

Physical inspection

The dealer verifies the vehicle for visible physical damage like dents or scratches.
Electrical scan (optional)

The dealer plugs a diagnostic scanner (OBDII) into the car. The scanner retrieves real-time information from the vehicle, which may identify electrical or mechanical issues.
Key advantage: Knowledge

Use this report to learn more about the vehicle and see if maintenance is on the horizon. Please note that vehicle condition warranties are excluded.

Shop cars with Dealer Verified Condition

A CPO used car is a certified pre-owned car and they’re very different from the average used car. A car can be certified either by a dealer using an automaker’s specifications, or dealers can certify cars on their own. There are a number of advantages that come along with certification:

A multipoint inspection: An automaker or dealer will check on hundreds of parts and systems to ensure they meet the minimum requirements.

An extended warranty: Typically, the CPO car will get a warranty that extends the miles covered, the months remaining, or both to the bumper-to-bumper warranty or powertrain warranty.

Other incentives: CPO cars often come with a vehicle history report at no extra charge, roadside assistance programs and more.

One element to weigh, though, is that CPO cars typically run more expensive than non-CPO cars, so consider the benefits versus that extra cost and decide which approach is best for you.

Explore how different manufacturer’s certified pre-owned programs stack up against each other.

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