Ford Certified Pre-Owned Guide
What Blue Certified Means for Shoppers
Blue Certified Adds More Structure to the Used-Car Search
A Ford Certified Pre-Owned vehicle adds more structure to used-car shopping through a defined inspection process, manufacturer-backed limited warranty coverage, roadside assistance, and added purchase protections.
Within Ford Blue Advantage, Ford Blue Certified is the broadest certification tier. Qualifying vehicles can be any make or model up to 10 years old with fewer than 150,000 miles and must pass a 139-point inspection.
So, what is Ford Blue Certified in practical terms? It gives Ford Certified Pre-Owned shoppers access to a wider range of used vehicles without giving up the standards and benefits built into Ford Blue Advantage.
Around Auburn, Kent, Federal Way, and the South Sound, that can provide a useful middle ground between a conventional used vehicle and the more restrictive Gold Certified tier.
Ford Blue Certified at a Glance
Blue Certified Feature | What It Means |
|---|---|
Vehicle eligibility | Any make or model |
Maximum age | 10 years |
Maximum mileage | Less than 150,000 miles |
Inspection | 139 points |
Comprehensive Limited Warranty | 90 days/4,000 miles, whichever comes first |
Money Back Guarantee | 14 days/1,000 miles, whichever comes first |
Roadside Assistance | Complimentary 24/7 coverage for 90 days |
Ford Rewards | 11,000 points with qualifying enrollment |
The biggest takeaway is that Ford Certified Pre-Owned shopping isn’t limited to nearly new Ford vehicles. Blue Certified expands the pool considerably while still requiring each qualifying vehicle to meet Ford Blue Advantage standards.
The 139-Point Inspection Is More Than a Quick Walkaround
A Ford Blue Certified vehicle must complete a detailed 139-point inspection performed through a Ford dealership.
The inspection reaches well beyond paint condition and tire appearance. Technicians check major areas including:
Vehicle history and VIN information
Engine starting and operation
Transmission performance
Steering and suspension
Brakes and ABS
Exterior lights and glass
Safety belts and airbags
Heating and air conditioning
Infotainment and available driver-assistance systems
Fluid condition and leaks
Battery and charging systems
Tires, wheels, and tread condition
Frame and underbody components
Four-wheel-drive equipment when applicable
Hybrid and electrified vehicles also have applicable high-voltage components included in the inspection process.
If an inspected item doesn’t meet program standards, it must be addressed before the vehicle earns certification.
That gives the Ford Certified Pre-Owned process a clear advantage over simply seeing “inspected” in a generic used-car listing. There’s an established checklist behind the Blue Certified badge.
Blue Certified Can Include More Than Ford Vehicles
This is one of the easiest parts of the program to misunderstand.
A Ford Blue Certified vehicle can be a Ford, but it can also be another qualifying make. Blue certification allows vehicles up to 10 years old and below 150,000 miles to enter the program if they meet its requirements.
That opens the door to shoppers who like the protections of Ford Certified Pre-Owned shopping but aren’t necessarily committed to one badge.
You might find a certified Ford Escape or F-150 alongside a qualifying used SUV, sedan, or truck from another manufacturer.
For someone still deciding between several brands, that flexibility can make Blue Certified especially useful.
What Does the Ford Blue Certified Warranty Cover?
Every Blue Certified vehicle comes with a 90-Day/4,000-Mile Comprehensive Limited Warranty, whichever limit arrives first.
The coverage extends to more than 1,000 components and can include areas such as:
Engine
Transmission
Front- and rear-wheel-drive systems
Steering
Brakes
Front and rear suspension
Electrical components
Heating and air conditioning
Technology systems
Factory audio
Emissions components
Safety systems
Like any automotive warranty, terms, exclusions, eligibility requirements, and limitations apply. Coverage also doesn’t mean every maintenance item or every type of damage is automatically included.
Still, having manufacturer-backed limited warranty coverage is an important distinction between Ford Certified Pre-Owned and an ordinary used vehicle sold without comparable certification benefits.
The Blue Certified limited warranty is also transferable to a future owner at no transfer cost while qualifying coverage remains.
The 14-Day Guarantee Gives You a Second Look
Test drives are useful, but they don’t always tell you what living with a vehicle will be like.
Blue Certified vehicles include a 14-Day/1,000-Mile Money Back Guarantee, whichever comes first, through participating Ford dealers.
That gives you time to find out whether the cargo area really holds what you expected, whether the seats work for a longer commute, or whether the vehicle simply feels right once it’s part of your normal routine.
Program conditions apply, including return-condition requirements and other eligibility rules, so the details should be reviewed before purchase.
For many Ford Certified Pre-Owned shoppers, the value isn’t necessarily planning to return the vehicle. It’s knowing there’s an additional layer of flexibility after the test drive ends.
Roadside Assistance Comes With the Certification
The benefits continue once you leave the dealership.
Ford Blue Certified vehicles include complimentary 24/7 Ford Roadside Assistance for 90 days.
Eligible assistance can include services for situations such as:
Flat tires
Battery jump-starts
Lockouts
Fuel delivery
Towing assistance
Certain travel expenses when a qualifying breakdown happens far from home
That can be particularly useful around the Puget Sound region, where a normal week might include an Auburn commute followed by a much longer weekend drive.
It’s another reason Ford Certified Pre-Owned means more than the condition of the vehicle on the day you buy it.
Blue Certified vs. Gold Certified: Don’t Confuse the Two
Ford Blue Advantage has multiple certification levels, and Blue Certified isn’t the same as Gold Certified.
Certification | Blue Certified | Gold Certified |
|---|---|---|
Eligible vehicles | Any qualifying make/model | Ford models only |
Vehicle age | Up to 10 years | Up to 6 years |
Mileage | Under 150,000 | Under 80,000 |
Inspection | 139 points | 172 points |
Comprehensive warranty | 90 days/4,000 miles | 12 months/12,000 miles |
Additional powertrain warranty | No separate Gold-level coverage | 7 years/100,000 miles |
Ford Rewards | 11,000 points | 22,000 points |
Gold Certified is designed around newer, lower-mileage Ford vehicles and carries longer warranty coverage plus a more extensive inspection.
Blue Certified casts a wider net.
That distinction is important when shopping Ford Certified Pre-Owned inventory. A Blue Certified vehicle isn’t a lower-quality version of the same Gold vehicle. The two tiers serve different types of used-vehicle shoppers and have different eligibility requirements and benefits.
When Blue Certified Makes the Most Sense
Ford Blue Certified can be especially attractive when you want more choice than a tightly restricted CPO program usually allows.
It may fit your search well if you:
Want to consider several makes or models
Are shopping beyond nearly new vehicles
Want inspection standards beyond a typical used-car purchase
Value short-term manufacturer-backed warranty coverage
Like having a return window after purchase
Want roadside assistance included
Don’t necessarily need the longer coverage of Gold Certified
If you’re focused specifically on a newer Ford with lower mileage, Gold Certified may deserve a closer look. If selection and flexibility matter more, Ford Certified Pre-Owned shopping through the Blue Certified tier can open considerably more possibilities.
That’s why understanding what is Ford Blue Certified matters before filtering your used-car search by badge alone.
Ford Rewards Adds One More Ownership Benefit
Eligible Blue Certified purchases can also earn 11,000 Ford Rewards Points when enrollment requirements are completed within the required timeframe.
Those points can provide additional value within the Ford ecosystem after purchase.
It’s not the main reason to choose a Ford Certified Pre-Owned vehicle, but it’s a useful extra benefit layered onto the inspection, warranty, roadside assistance, and money-back guarantee.
Program participation and enrollment requirements apply, so our team can help you understand the current details when you shop.
Shop the Vehicle, Not Just the Certification Badge
Certification adds useful protections, but the right used vehicle still needs to fit your life.
At Way Scarff Ford in Auburn, we can help you compare Ford Blue Certified and other Ford Certified Pre-Owned options by mileage, equipment, vehicle history, price, body style, and how you actually plan to use the vehicle.
If you’re deciding between Blue Certified, Gold Certified, or another used vehicle, we can also walk through what each certification means before you choose.
Ford Certified Pre-Owned FAQs
Have questions about Ford Certified Pre-Owned vehicles or the Blue Certified tier? These answers cover the details shoppers ask about most.
Visit Way Scarff Ford in Auburn
Stop by our showroom to see Ford Blue Certified vehicles in person or contact our certified sales team for details and documentation.