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A blue 2020 Ford F-150 is shown from the front while parked next to two UTVs on a trail.

The Blue Oval Advantage: Shopping for a Certified Pre-Owned Ford F-150

Henry Ford pioneered the automotive industry and put the world on wheels with the Model T, forever changing how we work and travel. This pioneering spirit continues over a century later with workhorses like the F-150 that deliver innovative tools and rugged capability to make our lives easier and our time behind the wheel more enjoyable. You’ll experience this firsthand when you stop by your local Certified Pre-Owned Ford F-150 dealership and discover the many benefits of Ford’s Certified Pre-Owned program and everything the F-150 has to offer.

Discover the Blue Advantage

When you shop for a Certified Pre-Owned F-150, Ford rolls out the red carpet to give you the best customer experience possible. That experience starts with knowing that you’re getting a high-quality F-150 that’s backed by Ford. To ensure this, Ford offers two levels of certification–Gold Certified and Blue Certified.

  • Gold Certified models must be less than six years old (2016 or newer), have fewer than 80,000 miles, and pass a 172-point inspection.
  • Blue Certified models must be less than 10 years old (2012 or newer), have fewer than 120,000 miles, and pass a 139-point inspection.

A Gold Certified F-150 comes with a 12-month or 12,000-mile Comprehensive Limited Warranty, a 7-year or 100,000-mile Powertrain Limited Warranty, and 24/7 Roadside Assistance for the duration of the Powertrain Limited Warranty. Your purchase also earns you 22,000 FordPass Rewards points that you can use at your local service department for routine maintenance like tire rotations and oil changes.

Blue Certified F-150s come with a 90-day or 4,000-mile Comprehensive Limited Warranty and 24/7 roadside assistance for the duration of the warranty. You’ll receive 11,000 FordPass Rewards points with your purchase and have the option to add the same Gold Certified warranty coverage. Other benefits include a trial to SiriusXM satellite radio and a complimentary CARFAX vehicle history report.

Shopping for a Certified Pre-Owned F-150

How does the Blue Advantage affect your search for a Certified Pre-Owned F-150? It ensures the quality of the truck by limiting your selection to models that are less than 10 years old and that have fewer than 100,000 miles. Models at this end of the spectrum will offer the lowest price as a result, but they won’t feature a lot of Ford’s innovative technology. To find this, you’ll have to limit your search to thirteenth and fourteenth-generation F-150s, and that means starting your search for 2016 or newer F-150s.

A white 2016 Ford F-150 Limited is shown towing a boat after leaving a certified pre-owned Ford F-150 dealership.

2016 F-150

Building on its legacy as the best-selling truck in America, Ford debuted the thirteenth-generation F-150 in 2016 to widespread acclaim and, once again, proved its place at the helm of innovation with a host of cutting-edge technology. The Pro-Trailer Backup Assist tool made its debut on the 2016 F-150 and has revolutionized how we navigate trailers in reverse. Making everyone a professional in the driver’s seat regardless of skill level, the tool allows you to move the trailer to its designated spot by turning a knob left or right. As you turn the knob, the F-150 controls the steering and speed to expertly position the trailer right where you want it.

Other features to look for in the 2016 F-150:

  • The F-150 XLT or Lariat with the Special Edition Package adds unique wheels with red sport lettering, running boards, smoked headlamps, special edition seating with red contrast stitching, and a dark anodized grille with trim-specific accents.
  • The F-150 with the gaseous-fuel prep option on the 5.0-liter V8 that allows the truck to run on propane or compressed natural gas.
  • The F-150 Limited with class-exclusive features like its 360-degree camera, Adaptive Cruise Control, massaging front seats, and remote tailgate release, all of which make it one of the most luxurious and advanced F-150s in history.

2017 F-150

Ford focused on power and capability for the 2017 F-150 and delivered the smartest, toughest, and most capable F-150 yet. This capability comes from the F-150’s all-new EcoBoost V6 engine and 10-speed transmission that optimizes the truck’s power and torque for greater efficiency and better performance. The numbers don’t lie with the EcoBoost V6 delivering best-in-class 470 lb-ft of torque.

2018 F-150

Ford made vast improvements to the F-150 for 2018, proving the truck still delivered on its promise to be the toughest, smartest, and most capable truck in the segment. For 2018, Ford equips every engine with its automatic start-stop technology to deliver better efficiency and optimal power. Along with this, the F-150’s 6-speed and 10-speed automatic transmissions come with selectable drive modes (Normal, Tow/Haul, and Sport on the 6-speed with the addition of Snow/Wet and Eco-Select on the 10-speed) that allow drivers to customize how the truck performs based on the terrain and driving condition.

Other features to look for in the 2018 F-150:

  • Updated interior materials and designs with new material colors on top-tier trims like the King Ranch and Platinum.
  • The F-150’s B&O Play Premium Audio System that delivers an immersive listening experience throughout the cabin.
  • Advanced safety and driver-assist features like Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop-and-Go and Pre-Collision Assist with Pedestrian Detection that makes driving more enjoyable and actively minimizes the risk of collision.

2019 F-150

Following the F-150’s mid cycle refresh in 2018 means very few changes were made to the truck for 2019. You’ll find these models deliver plenty of power and capability whether you find an F-150 with the standard 3.3-liter V6 under the hood or more powerful options like the 5.0-liter V8 or 3.0-liter PowerStroke turbodiesel V6. If you’re looking for next-level power and luxury, keep an eye out for the F-150 Limited as Ford outfits the truck with the Raptor’s 3.5-liter EcoBoost engine and high-flow dual-exhaust system.

A red 2020 Ford F-150 is shown parked in a dry grassy field.

2020 F-150

The 2020 model brings very few cosmetic changes to the best-selling truck aside from the addition of Iconic Silver, Rapid Red Metallic Tinted Clearcoat, and Star White Metallic Tri-Coat to the exterior paint palette. Behind the scenes, Ford makes a few key changes to the truck’s driver-assist technology. Known as the Ford Co-Pilot360, the suite of safety features is now standard on the Lariat, King Ranch, Platinum, and Limited trims. It equips the F-150 with automatic high beam headlamps, Ford’s BLIS with Cross-Traffic Alert and Trailer Tow Monitoring, a Lane-Keeping System, Pre-Collision Assist with Automatic Emergency Braking, and a rearview camera.

Other features to look for in the 2020 F-150:

  • The F-150 Platinum and Limited also offer Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop-and-Go, a voice-activated touchscreen navigation system with pinch-to-zoom capability, and SiriusXM Traffic and Travel Link.
  • A host of appearance packages like the STX Sport Special Edition and the XLT Black Appearance Package further distinguish the F-150.

The Choice Is Yours

Shopping for a Certified Pre-Owned F-150 is a great investment because you know exactly what you’re getting with the Ford brand. As America’s best-selling truck for over 40 years, you know that the F-150 is a capable and reliable workhorse that can get any job done. But, just in case you have any doubts, Ford gives you the confidence you need with its Gold and Blue Certified Pre-Owned program.

Ford’s confidence in its Certified Pre-Owned vehicles speaks volumes to the automaker’s high standards. Regardless of whether you find a 2013 F-150 or a newer 2020 F-150, there’s no question that the truck has been thoroughly vetted to ensure its ability to meet your needs on the road ahead. If it doesn’t, you won’t find it on the lot of your local Certified Pre-Owned Ford F-150 dealer. It’s as simple as that.