Up until it hits 200 miles, a vehicle can be considered new. Once it hits that mileage point, a vehicle is considered used. While most vehicles will stick with the used label, certain vehicles can be certified as pre-owned by the manufacturer.
Southern California Ford Dealers do not lump all previously driven vehicles together. Instead, these vehicles are designated as used or Ford Certified Pre-Owned. If you are looking for an alternative to an expensive brand-new vehicle, then a SoCal Ford Dealer can help you out.
Used Vehicles
A used car can be sold by any dealership. The quality among used cars varies greatly, and there can be a high risk when purchasing them.
Some dealerships will sell both new cars and used ones. These used vehicles tend to come from vehicle trade-ins. The dealerships are focused on selling new vehicles, which means they will only keep higher-quality used ones on their lots.
Dealerships that only sell used vehicles source their inventory from a variety of places, but the vehicles are mainly from trade-ins and auctions. When used dealerships buy and sell used cars, there is a smaller profit margin, which means they need to sell everything they buy.
The downfall in this is the dealership will push to sell vehicles that are not high quality; this is why used dealerships can be seen as sleazy. Most used dealerships will sell vehicles as-is. If you buy a car only to find out it needs new brakes or a timing belt, you are stuck with the costly replacements.
Since there are no standards or regulations, you can find vehicles with major damage and high mileage being sold. If you do not take the time to inspect it yourself, you can end up purchasing a vehicle at a low price that will cost you more money in the long run.
Ford Certified Pre-Owned Vehicle
Not all vehicles can become Ford Certified Pre-Owned vehicles. To qualify as certified, a vehicle must be the current model year or within five previous model years. The vehicle must also have no more than 80,000 miles.
If qualified, the vehicle must pass a 172-point inspection performed by a Ford factory-trained dealer technician. During the inspection, any parts that do not meet the standard are replaced with Ford factory-authorized parts.
The inspection covers:
Vehicle History
Road Test
Vehicle Interior
Vehicle Diagnostics
Underhood
Underbody
Convenience
Each category has a certain number of points attributed to it. If the vehicle is able to pass the inspection, it becomes a Ford Certified Pre-Owned vehicle. The certification comes with:
12-Month or 12,000-Mile Comprehensive Limited Warranty
7-Year or 100,000-Mile Powertrain Limited Warranty
24/7 Roadside Assistance
22,000 Ford Pass Reward Points
Vehicle History Report from CARFAX
Special Financing Rates Through Ford Credit
Full Tank of Fuel, New Oil and Filter, and New Wiper Blades
For even more coverage, you can purchase the Ford Protect Extended Service Plan.
Certified Pre-Owned Versus Used
Certified pre-owned vehicles are used vehicles that are high-quality and have been inspected before being resold. The term “used” can hold negative connotations. Calling these vehicles “pre-owned” indicates they have more than 200 miles on them but are still in great condition.
The biggest difference between Ford Certified Pre-Owned vehicles and used ones is in their quality. A used car can be sold in any condition, while a certified pre-owned one must meet age, mileage, and quality standards.
When you purchase a certified pre-owned vehicle, you have peace of mind knowing that what you get is going to look good and run well. Not only is it sold in good condition, but it comes with warranties that regular used cars do not offer.
Both generic used vehicles and certified pre-owned ones are less expensive to purchase than a new vehicle. Certified pre-owned vehicles do have a higher price tag than ordinary used vehicles because someone has taken the time to ensure its quality.
Although it may be tempting to go with the lower price tag, the cheaper the price, the higher the risk that you will be faced with unexpected repair costs.
Finding a Ford Certified Pre-Owned Vehicle
If you are looking to get a new-to-you vehicle but are hesitant to pay the full sticker price, then a Ford Certified Pre-Owned vehicle is the best alternative. You can find cars, trucks, and SUVs that have minimal miles and are just as good as new.
Only Ford dealerships can sell Ford’s certified vehicles. Even if a vehicle could get certified, it cannot be sold with the certification at any other dealership.
The Southern California Ford Dealers are a group of 69 Ford dealers in the SoCal area. All 69 dealerships are able to sell Ford Certified Pre-Owned vehicles. Take a look at our online map to locate the dealership nearest to you, and then take a look at their certified pre-owned vehicle inventory.
