A Look at Chevy and Ford’s CPO Programs

Buying a pre-owned vehicle doesn’t have to mean forgoing assurances, warranties, and all the support you usually get with new vehicles. When you buy a Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) model, you can enjoy tons of the same perks of buying new but at a great low price—and while many dealerships offer their own CPO programs, we like our shoppers to know that you can also look directly to the manufacturer for CPO benefits.

While CPO programs can vary from dealership to dealership, the manufacturer-provided ones will be consistent across the country—and shoppers love consistency. As a Certified Pre-Owned Chevy dealer, we proudly send drivers home in CPO vehicles from the revered bowtie brand every week. Thus, we get a lot of questions about how the Chevy CPO program compares to Ford’s—since they’re the top two names in the pre-owned market—so we took a close look at every detail of these two programs so as to break them down and point out the significant differences…

The Chevy CPO Program

Qualifications

Not every pre-owned Chevy will earn the CPO label. Chevrolet’s vehicles must meet certain specifications to qualify for this brand’s CPO program.
Every vehicle with the CPO label must be no more than six model years old and have no more than 75,000 miles on the odometer.

Additionally, each Chevy CPO vehicle undergoes a 172-point inspection before going up for sale. During this inspection, certified technicians will look under the hood, inside the vehicle, along the exterior, and at the undercarriage to check for defects or issues that need repairs. They’ll also conduct a road test. If they find anything that requires attention, they will fix it before putting it up for sale.

Drivers receive a free CARFAX report with their CPO vehicle so they can understand the vehicle’s history and make sure they’re comfortable with it before making a purchase. These vehicles must also have a clean title to qualify for the Chevy CPO program.

Warranties

Chevy CPO vehicles come with a generous lineup of warranties, giving drivers the confidence in knowing that, if covered issues arrive, they won’t break the bank paying for them. These warranties include:

• A six-year, 100,000-mile Powertrain Limited Warranty that will cover the major parts involved in moving your vehicle forward, like the engine and transmission.
• A 12-month, 12,000-mile bumper-to-bumper limited warranty that will cover everything outside of tire wear, collision damage, and issues caused by misuse.

There is a $0 deductible when filing claims and receiving service for covered items. The warranties are transferable, so should you sell your CPO vehicle within the lifetime of these warranties, the next owner will enjoy whatever time or mileage is left of coverage.

Additional Perks

Chevy CPO owners also enjoy two complimentary maintenance visits within the first two years or 24,000 miles of ownership. At these visits, technicians will conduct an oil change, tire rotation, and filter changes, as well as a multi-point inspection.

Furthermore, during the duration of the powertrain warranty, you’ll receive 24/7 roadside assistance—so if issues like a flat tire or breakdown occur, you’re covered for six years or 100,000 miles.

Vehicles with the proper equipment will also be eligible for a free OnStar trial, which includes automatic crash response assistance, vehicle diagnostics, and turn-by-turn navigation. Models equipped with satellite radio will get three complimentary months of SiriusXM.

Ford Gold Certified

Qualifications

Ford vehicles must also meet certain specifications to get a CPO label. In order for a Ford CPO vehicle to get the Gold Certified designation, it must be no more than six model years old and have no more than 80,000 miles on the odometer.

Ford CPO vehicles also undergo a 172-point inspection, much like the one to which Chevy’s CPO vehicles are subject. Technicians will inspect the interior, exterior, under the hood, and under the body, as well as conduct a road test. Also, note that each Ford CPO vehicle also comes with a CARFAX vehicle history report.

Warranties

Ford CPO vehicles have similar warranties to those you get with Chevy CPO vehicles. These include:

• A seven-year, 100,000-mile Powertrain Limited Warranty.
• A 12-month, 12,000-mile Comprehensive Limited Warranty.

“Comprehensive” is Ford’s language for bumper-to-bumper. There is a $100 deductible when receiving covered services.

Additional Perks

Ford CPO vehicles also get 24/7 roadside assistance for the duration of the powertrain warranty. Ford also offers CPO customers the opportunity to change their minds, as they have 14 days or 1,000 miles to return their vehicle if they aren’t satisfied with it.

As for services, CPO owners receive 22,000 FordPass reward points to use toward maintenance visits. They also get a three-month trial of SiriusXM.

So What Are the Major Differences?

We know this has been a lot of information to digest, which is why we’ve identified the major differences for you…

As for deductibles, Chevy CPO vehicles have no deductible for covered services, while Ford CPO vehicles require a $100 deductible before receiving warranty-covered services.

As for mileage, Chevy CPO vehicles will have no more than 75,000 miles on them, while Ford CPO vehicles can have up to 80,000 miles on them.

As for warranties, these are nearly identical—however, Ford’s powertrain warranty may last for one year more than Chevy’s, although they both last for the same amount of mileage.

As for maintenance, while Chevy CPO vehicles include two free maintenance visits—free and clear—Ford CPO vehicles come with “rewards points” to use towards service. However, full and free service is not guaranteed with these points.

As for a money-back guarantee, drivers get more time to change their mind with a Ford CPO vehicle (at 14 days compared to just three days with a Chevy), and they can drive it for 1,000 miles before taking it back; Chevy CPO vehicles can only be driven for 150 miles to qualify for the money-back guarantee.

One perk difference is that only Chevy CPO vehicles include an OnStar trial. Some drivers might get more peace of mind knowing that the emergency services of OnStar are at their disposal should the need arise.

Pick Out Your Own CPO at Blossom Chevrolet Today

Are you ready to explore a selection of terrific CPO vehicles? We have a huge CPO inventory for drivers wanting gently-used Chevys in great condition at an amazing price. From SUVs like the Tahoe and Traverse to sedans like the Malibu to pickups like the Silverado or Colorado, we have all of the Chevy models you love, including recent releases with low mileage. You’ll have so much fun exploring what we have in stock!

Getting a CPO vehicle means you can benefit from many of the same warranties and perks you get with a new vehicle while taking advantage of pre-owned prices. Speak to one of our representatives about the body style and features you’re looking for, and they can show you CPO models that fit your needs.

Once you’ve found the vehicle that’s right for you, our dedicated finance team will be ready to assist you in finding a loan package. They’ll work with your budget and make sure you drive off with a monthly payment plan that suits your budgetary goals. Are you ready to drive home in a pre-owned Chevy that comes with warranties, complimentary services, and roadside assistance? If so, check out our CPO models today!