In an effort to boost sales, Ford Motor Co. has expanded the warranties on its nonluxury certified used vehicles.
The comprehensive limited warranty covering Ford and Mercury certified vehicles is now 12 months or 12,000 miles, up from 3 months or 3,000 miles. The powertrain warranty covering those vehicles is now seven years or 100,000 miles, up from six years or 100,000 miles. The expanded warranties became effective Feb. 2.
The Lincoln certified used-vehicle warranties are unchanged, but the company has increased marketing support for Lincoln, Ford and Mercury brands' certified programs. Lincoln vehicles are covered by a 72-month or 100,000-mile comprehensive limited warranty from the date the vehicles are sold as new.
The automaker discontinued Mercury at the end of 2010 but supports the brand's certified pre-owned program.
Terry Kidd, owner of Kidd Ford-Lincoln in Morrison, Tenn., says Ford's certified-vehicle warranties were competitive before, but the longer warranties give customers -- especially those who buy certified Mercury vehicles -- more peace of mind.
"This gives people peace of mind that their used Mercury is totally supported," he says. "I think that is very important."