Very few car manufacturers have the reputation, staying power, and pedigree of Ford. Enthusiasts continually praise the Mustang and Falcon as two examples of vintage Americana, whereas historians will cite the Model T as one of the first cars to take to the road in an expansion that would see the highways and byways of the nation stretch from coast to coast. Today, Ford remains one of the first names people think of when “car” or “automobile” is mentioned. As the lineage of Ford has remained unchanged for generations, so has the reputation of the F-150, one of the world’s most celebrated and popular pickup trucks ever produced. After all, something doesn’t become the best-selling pickup truck in the United States by being second-rate and prone to mechanical difficulties. To put it as simply as possible—it’s the best at what it does. However, getting behind the wheel of one might present itself as a difficulty to some consumers, as getting a brand-new truck may be out of their price range. Fear not, because visiting a certified pre-owned F-150 dealer is still an option, and one that’s easily within your grasp.
Certified Pre-Owned vs Used
Car shopping can be stressful, time-consuming, and even a bit intimidating. Popular culture hasn’t helped this, as the stereotypical schemer looking to prey on customers can be traced all the way back to The Andy Griffith Show. A little old lady sells a problem-riddled car to the perpetually gullible deputy sheriff of Mayberry, Barney Fife. While Barney and Andy put an end to the fraudulent grandmother and her assistants, she isn’t apprehended before uttering the line, “This is that clunker I sold to that boob in Mayberry!”
You don’t live in Mayberry or any other fictional setting created by a sitcom. Like everyone else, you live in the real world, and real-world problems deserve first-rate solutions. A solution to your need for a dependable and capable truck that can tackle any job can be found in a certified pre-owned (CPO) Ford F-150. If a 2022 model is slightly out of your price range, then a second-hand purchase is what you’re going for. The obvious method of doing so requires scouring through the classified ads, weeding out the pieces of junk from the prospects, and hoping that the person selling their vehicle is as reputable as their cleverly placed ad suggests.
That’s how it’s done, right? Not so much these days. While you might pay less when purchasing from an independent third-party seller, the truth is, you often get what you pay for. Buying a certified pre-owned Ford F-150 is easier than ever, and the assurance of quality from one of the most trusted names in automobiles is guaranteed. A certified pre-owned Ford F-150 isn’t just a used vehicle that’s trussed up and refurbished to look flashy, far from it. The length Ford goes to in order to maintain quality assurance is one of the most rigorous in the industry. While any CPO vehicle is backed by a manufacturer’s warranty and thoroughly looked over by licensed technicians, Ford’s certification process is more complex than others.
Life Begins at Inspection
If you live in a state that requires a yearly inspection of your vehicle, you’re already familiar with quality assurance. However, an inspection of this nature is rather limited when compared to the qualifying of a Ford vehicle for CPO certification. The Ford Blue Advantage CPO program utilizes a 9-category inspection with 172 points that are checked, inspected, and then signed off on by a certified expert. Nothing is left to chance, and any parts that aren’t up to standard are replaced. One of the very first steps in Ford’s certification process is obtaining a detailed history of the vehicle in question. It’s important to remember that as a consumer, you have a right to know the complete history of whatever vehicle you’re purchasing.
Warranty and Peace of Mind
The biggest fear of any used vehicle purchase is taking it home and finding out there’s a problem that either went completely unnoticed or decided to pop up once you parked it in your driveway. These things happen to everyone, and Ford understands the need to get something fixed quickly so you can resume your life. Ford’s comprehensive warranty for their CPO vehicles covers… wait for it… the exact same components as what they offer to buyers who purchase a new model. That’s right, whether you decide to buy, Ford takes you in and gives you the five-star treatment you deserve.
What that treatment amounts to is a one-year/12,000-mile comprehensive limited warranty that covers just about every aspect of your F-150 and starts the moment you purchase the vehicle. It is backed up by a powertrain warranty that’s in place for 7 years/100,000 miles, beginning from when the vehicle originally left the factory. The entire time this warranty is in place, Ford offers 24/7 roadside assistance, which is their way of saying, “we’ve got your back.”
Let’s face it—the second the paperwork is signed when buying from a third-party seller, their obligation to maintain their old vehicle becomes yours. Purchasing a CPO Ford F-150 is making an investment that’s not only well protected but will give you something more than your standard used truck.
It’s Going the Distance…
The purchase of any vehicle requires a fair amount of deciding factors. You might be asking yourself a few questions about the F-150’s sustainability as not only a pickup truck but a vehicle to be used daily for commuting and getting away for some much-needed playtime. But don’t worry—the F-150 is the most popular truck in America for a reason. Not only is it an incredibly versatile option that can handle just about anything that you can throw at it, but it is also a reliable and durable machine.
An Engine for All Seasons
While other brands continue to boast about how powerful the engines in their trucks are, few can back up those same claims with results. The Ford F-150 can… several times over. The 3.5L EcoBoost V6 has become one of the most popular engines that people opt for when purchasing an F-150. This is a V-6 that’s as economical as it is powerful; offering around 20 MPG combined with 400 hp and 500 lb-ft of torque means having the best of both worlds. A towing capacity of 14,000 lbs means you’ll be tackling the heavy-duty jobs with ease and going past the competition. Throw in a 10-speed automatic transmission and 4×4, and you’ve got something that will give your coworkers a bad case of truck envy.
America’s Favorite Truck
Not many vehicles manage to maintain their popularity for decades, and only one of them has managed to remain #1 for so long – the Ford F-150. With all the capability it offers, this isn’t surprising, but it also means that a CPO F-150 from any model year is guaranteed to be a great purchase. Being a part of the Ford family means that you’ll always belong, and your best interests will always come first. Work hard, play hard, and never settle for a truck that isn’t built Ford tough.
