A certified pre-owned vehicle is generally a late-model, used vehicle that has been inspected and repaired by the manufacturer. These CPO cars drive like new and almost always come with a warranty similar to a new car warranty, although the term length may be shorter.
A Ford CPO warranty provides extensive protection – covering more than 1,000 parts for one year or 12,000 miles, whichever comes first. Below, we will explore the details of coverage and compare the Ford CPO warranty to those offered by other manufacturers.
An Overview Of The Ford CPO Warranty
After passing a 172-point inspection, all certified pre-owned Fords come with a warranty. This includes:
- Comprehensive limited warranty coverage for 12 months/12,000 miles
- Powertrain limited warranty coverage for 7 years/100,000 miles
- 24/7 roadside assistance
The warranty can be transferred to future owners at no additional cost. For even more coverage, Ford Extended Service Plans are available.
Ford CPO Coverage: A Closer Look
Ford CPO coverage is shorter than Ford’s new vehicle warranty but covers similar parts. The Ford factory warranty covers new cars and trucks with bumper-to-bumper coverage for 3 years or 36,000 miles, as well as powertrain coverage for 5 years or 60,000 miles.
Under a Ford CPO warranty, you’ll get coverage for the following components:
- Engine
- Transmission
- Front- and rear-wheel drive
- Steering
- Brakes
- Suspension
- Electrical
- Air conditioning and heating
- Technology
- Emissions
- Audio
- Safety
Roadside assistance is available for the entire duration of the CPO warranty. You’ll receive:
- Travel expense reimbursement for lodging and meals, up to $500 for up to three days
- Destination assistance for emergency taxi service, shuttles, or rental cars, up to $75
- Rental car reimbursement, up to $50 per day for five days
Warranty Qualifications
In order to qualify for Ford CPO vehicle protection, your car must meet several eligibility requirements. This is what separates a CPO warranty from other used car or third-party extended warranties that come at a separate cost from the price of the vehicle.
A Ford CPO warranty is available for cars, SUVs, crossovers, and trucks (up to 350 series) that are current or within five previous model years. Additionally, the vehicle must have:
- Fewer than 80,000 miles
- A 172-point inspection by a certified mechanic
- A vehicle history report to ensure CPO standards
If your Ford does not meet these requirements, then your only other option is an extended auto warranty. These warranties, also known as vehicle service contracts, are available from the manufacturer or from third-party providers. Unfortunately, a vehicle service contract is not included with your vehicle purchase.
Does The Ford CPO Warranty Measure Up?
Is the Ford CPO Warranty exceptional or just average? Our competitor comparison will give you a better idea:
| Make | CPO Comprehensive Limited Warranty | CPO Powertrain Limited Warranty | Additional Perks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ford | 1 year/12,000 miles | 7 years/100,000 miles | - Ford credit for vehicle financing - Complimentary 3-month SiriusXM trial |
| Chevy | 1 year/12,000 miles | 6 years/100,000 miles | - Special financing rates - Two service visits over 2 years/24,000 miles - Free trial of OnStar and SiriusXM radio |
| Toyota | 1 year/12,000 miles | 7 years/100,000 miles | - 8-year/100,000-mile factory hybrid battery warranty - 8-year/100,000-mile fuel cell vehicle warranty |
| Nissan | None | 7 years/100,000 miles | - 3-month SiriusXM radio trial - Free CARFAX history report |
| Honda | 1 year/12,000 miles | 7 years/100,000 miles | - 3-month SiriusXM radio trial - Up to two complimentary oil changes within first year of ownership |
| Cooling system | ✔ | ✔ | Limited Coverage |
| Fuel system | ✔ | ✔ | Limited Coverage |
| Induction system | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Steering | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Brakes and ABS | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Heat and A/C | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Infotainment system | ✔ | ||
| Interior | Limited Coverage | Limited Coverage | |
| Exterior | Limited Coverage | Limited Coverage |
As the comparison shows, the Ford CPO warranty is similar to most CPO warranties from other popular manufacturers. However, you will receive more coverage for a Ford CPO vehicle than you will a Nissan or Chevy CPO vehicle.
CPO Vehicle Pros and Cons
A certified pre-owned vehicle can be a welcome alternative to the uncertainty of buying a used car from a private owner. But is it always a safe or cost-effective choice?
The Pros
According to J.D. Power, buying a CPO vehicle has several key benefits, including:
- Unlike a new car, a CPO car will not depreciate significantly in value the moment you drive away from the dealership.
- Buying a used car from a private owner can be unpredictable and require negotiation. A Ford CPO vehicle can be purchased easily from a dealership.
- You can purchase a luxury CPO vehicle that runs almost as well as a new luxury vehicle for a lower price.
The Cons
Just because a CPO vehicle has been inspected and given a tune-up doesn’t mean it really is as good as new. As Michelle Primm, general manager at Cascade Auto Group in Ohio, tells Edmunds.com, “You can never take a used car and make it new again.”
If you buy a Ford CPO vehicle from an independent dealership, it may not meet the same CPO qualifications as one from a Ford dealership. Even some vehicles labeled as “CPO” can have hidden defects, and a Ford CPO warranty requires a used vehicles to meet very high standards.
In addition, a CPO vehicle comes at a premium price in exchange for the added reassurance that it has been inspected and repairs have been made. Think about the trade-off. Can you purchase a used car and an extended auto warranty for less than the price of a CPO vehicle and its included warranty? If you can, then it might be time to think about your wallet.
So, what are your options for protecting a non-CPO, used car?
When to Extend Your Ford CPO Auto Warranty
When people shop for a used car, they will come across a few options for vehicle service contracts. This is a way to protect your car after your existing warranty expires.
- The buyer can purchase an extended warranty from the dealership. The dealership may offer its own extended warranty package.
- The buyer can research third-party extended warranty companies that offer affordable, insurance-backed protection plans.
- A contract from an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) can apply if the vehicle’s extended warranty is transferable to future owners.
OEM and dealer extended warranties can often be expensive and limiting, especially when it comes to finding a convenient location for repairs. A third-party company, however, gives vehicle owners access to thousands of repair shops, including local mechanics and chains like Pep Boys. You’ll also be able to compare competing plans to find the most affordable and customized option.
Some third-party warranty providers will broker plans from several different warranty administrators, while others are direct providers, meaning they handle all warranty services and claims directly.
Get a free and easy quote for your Ford vehicle below:
In our review of the best extended warranty providers, Endurance came out on top. Endurance’s plans are accessible to vehicles of all types, both new and used. Here are a few things we like about the provider:
- Comprehensive, bumper-to-bumper plans and stated-component plans have longer terms than the Ford CPO warranty’s 1 year/12,000 miles. You’ll find plans with term lengths up to 200,000+ miles.
- For the first year, Endurance gives customers free Endurance Elite Benefits, which includes the same roadside assistance benefits as the Ford CPO warranty, including rental car reimbursement.
- Payments can be paid monthly with no interest. Not only will you pay a low deductible, but repairs will be paid directly to the repair facility. You’re also entitled to a 30-Day Money Back Guarantee if the service is not to your standards.
Endurance offers plans for pre-owned vehicles under all coverage levels. That includes powertrain warranties, all the way up to exclusionary coverage. Customers receive a similar level of coverage to a factory warranty.
How Valuable Is A Ford CPO Warranty?
The protection offered by Ford for certified pre-owned vehicles can give owners a sense of security, and the warranty is equal to or greater than the CPO coverage offered by many other manufacturers. If you want even more protection, or if your vehicle does not pass a CPO inspection, then an extended warranty may be the best option for you.