What Does Ford's Certified Pre-Owned Warranty Actually Cover?
Ford's certified pre-owned program, Ford Blue Advantage, has three tiers. Gold Certified Ford vehicles get a 12-month/12,000-mile Comprehensive Limited Warranty covering more than 1,000 components, plus a 7-year/100,000-mile Powertrain Limited Warranty counted from the vehicle's original new-vehicle warranty start date. EV Certified electric Fords get the same 12-month/12,000-mile coverage plus an 8-year/100,000-mile BaseCARE EV Limited Warranty. Blue Certified vehicles, which can be any make, get a 90-day/4,000-mile Comprehensive Limited Warranty. Repairs under the certified warranty carry a $100 deductible per visit, and wear items and routine maintenance aren't covered. See how reliable certified pre-owned Fords near St. Louis come with this protection at Suntrup Ford Westport.
The word "certified" gets used loosely on used-car lots, but Ford's version comes with written coverage backed by Ford. The details that matter are which tier the vehicle earned, when each coverage clock started, and what the fine print leaves out. A Gold Certified truck and a Blue Certified SUV can sit side by side in the same used vehicle inventory in St. Louis and carry very different protection, so it pays to know the difference before you sign.
Gold, EV, and Blue Certified Coverage Side by Side
| Coverage Feature | Gold Certified (and EV Certified) | Blue Certified |
|---|---|---|
| Eligible Vehicles | Ford vehicles up to 6 years old with under 80,000 miles; EV Certified is for all-electric Fords | Any make or model up to 10 years old with under 150,000 miles |
| Inspection | 172-point inspection (127-point for EV Certified) | 139-point inspection |
| Comprehensive Limited Warranty | 12 months/12,000 miles, starting when the Ford New Vehicle Limited Warranty expires or on the purchase date, whichever is later | 90 days/4,000 miles |
| Long-Term Coverage | 7-year/100,000-mile Powertrain Limited Warranty from the original warranty start date (8-year/100,000-mile BaseCARE EV Limited Warranty for EV Certified) | No separate powertrain warranty |
| Deductible | $100 per repair visit under the certified warranty; $0 for repairs still under the original new-vehicle coverage | $100 per repair visit under the certified warranty |
| Extras | 24/7 Ford Roadside Assistance, free CARFAX Vehicle History Report, transferable coverage | 24/7 Ford Roadside Assistance, free CARFAX Vehicle History Report, transferable coverage |
Terms come from Ford Blue Advantage materials published on ford.com. Confirm coverage on a specific vehicle before you buy.
What the Powertrain and Comprehensive Coverage Include
Ford models like the Explorer can qualify for Gold Certified status if they're up to 6 years old with under 80,000 miles.
Ford's Gold Certified comprehensive coverage lists the engine, transmission, front- and rear-wheel drive, steering, brakes, front and rear suspension, electrical system, air conditioning and heating, technology components, emissions components, factory-installed audio, and safety systems. The longer powertrain warranty is narrower. It covers the engine block and internal lubricated parts, cylinder heads, factory turbochargers or superchargers, the transmission and torque converter, transfer case internals, and drive axles and driveshafts. That's the coverage that matters most on a used pre-owned Ford F-150 or a family hauler from our used SUV selection.
What It Doesn't Cover
Ford's Gold Certified warranty booklet excludes scheduled maintenance, wear items such as brakes and batteries, the exhaust system and catalytic converter, software upgrades, collision damage, and failures caused by aftermarket parts or missed maintenance. Ford can ask for maintenance records showing the date, mileage, VIN, and work performed if a failure looks related to skipped service.
When the Coverage Clock Starts
This is the detail most buyers miss. The 7-year/100,000-mile Gold Certified powertrain warranty counts from the day the vehicle was first sold new, not the day you buy it. On a Ford that's four years old, about three years of powertrain coverage remain. The 12-month/12,000-mile comprehensive coverage works the other way: it starts once the original new-vehicle warranty ends, or on your purchase date if that warranty has already expired.
How to Get the Most From a Ford CPO Warranty
- Ask which tier the vehicle earned. Gold and Blue Certified coverage are very different, so confirm the certification level in writing.
- Do the math on the powertrain clock. Subtract the vehicle's age and miles from 7 years/100,000 miles to see how much powertrain coverage is left.
- Keep every service record. Routine maintenance at a Ford-certified service center near St. Louis makes covered claims easier to document.
- Consider extended protection. A Ford Protect extended service plan can add coverage after the certified warranty ends.
- Ask about dealer programs. Suntrup offers its own Suntrup Lifetime Powertrain Warranty Program on qualifying vehicles. Ask whether the vehicle you're considering qualifies.
Ford Certified Pre-Owned Warranty Questions, Answered
What does Ford's certified pre-owned warranty actually cover?
Gold Certified Fords get a 12-month/12,000-mile Comprehensive Limited Warranty covering more than 1,000 components, plus a 7-year/100,000-mile Powertrain Limited Warranty from the original warranty start date. EV Certified vehicles get 12-month/12,000-mile coverage plus an 8-year/100,000-mile BaseCARE EV Limited Warranty. Blue Certified vehicles get a 90-day/4,000-mile Comprehensive Limited Warranty.
Is there a deductible on the Ford CPO warranty?
Yes. Repairs under the Ford Blue Advantage limited warranty carry a $100 deductible per repair visit. Repairs still covered by the vehicle's original Ford New Vehicle Limited Warranty have a $0 deductible.
Does the 7-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty start when I buy the vehicle?
No. The Gold Certified powertrain warranty counts from the vehicle's original new-vehicle warranty start date, so an older certified Ford has less of that coverage left.
Is the Ford certified pre-owned warranty transferable?
Yes. Ford states that its certified limited warranties transfer to future owners at no extra cost, and any remaining coverage stays with the vehicle.
Can I return a Ford certified pre-owned vehicle?
Ford Blue Advantage includes a 14-Day/1,000-Mile Money Back Guarantee, whichever comes first, at participating Ford dealers. Conditions apply. The vehicle must be returned in the condition it was sold, it can't have a lien on it, and the original trade-in isn't returned. Ask the dealer for full terms before you buy.
Know the Coverage Before You Visit
Ask our team which certification a vehicle carries, or book a test drive on a certified Ford.
Warranty terms summarized from Ford Blue Advantage program materials and are subject to change. See the Ford Blue Advantage Limited Warranty booklet for complete coverage details, exclusions, and limitations. This is general information, not a quote or a contract. Confirm certification level, remaining coverage, and current pricing with Suntrup Ford Westport, 2020 Kratky Road, Saint Louis, MO 63114, Sales: (314) 697-1796.