Low Mileage vs Certified Pre-Owned: Which is better?

I’m deciding between two used 2021 Expedition Limited Max Stealth Editions, both priced similarly.

  • Certified Pre-Owned (Gold) with ~36k miles for $51k.
  • Non-certified with ~19k miles for $50k.

I’d love to go with the lower mileage, but everything I’ve read suggests that an extended warranty is a must anyway. I’m leaning towards the certified one for peace of mind. What do you all think?

Check out Ziegler for extended warranty pricing. You’re looking at maybe $2-3k, depending on the coverage. Could be a good negotiating point for the non-certified one. Also, these prices seem high for a 2021 with the 2025 models already out.

I went through something similar. Ended up with a 2020 Limited with 73k miles that was certified pre-owned for $33k. Even though it had more miles than I wanted, the warranty saved me about $10k on a transmission rebuild and gasket fixes. I’d recommend the certified one in your case.

If you go with the certified option, get the max miles and years on the warranty. Remember, you can get a prorated refund if you sell the car or cancel the warranty later.

I’d go certified and extend the warranty. I picked up a 2022 CPO with 35k miles and added coverage to 125k or 2029. Worth the peace of mind.

If the non-certified one is already out of warranty (or close to it), go for the Gold Certified one and add a Ford extended warranty. Used Fords without warranties can get expensive fast. Make sure to check the service history and maintenance records for both options.

Thanks for the advice, everyone! After doing some math, the extended warranty for the non-certified one through Ziegler (10 years/125k miles) is $2,410. I’ll try to negotiate the sale price down to offset that cost.

That’s a solid plan. Just make sure to pull the service history and CarFax to confirm no major red flags. Also, it’s great that you’re factoring in the cost of the warranty into your decision.

If you go for it, absolutely get an extended warranty that covers the transmission, cam phasers, and turbos. All three are known issues with these vehicles, and repairs get expensive fast. I learned the hard way—my 2018 has cost me over $20k in repairs.

Ask if they have a “super duper gold certified” option! Just kidding, but seriously, prioritize that warranty coverage.

Get the certified one. The warranty is a lifesaver. I’ve had my transmission and running board motor replaced under warranty, saving me thousands. If you’re going non-certified, make sure to get a solid extended warranty.

Update: Went with the non-certified one after negotiating the price down. We also got a pre-purchase inspection, which came back clean, and added a 10-year/125k warranty through Ziegler. Feeling good about the decision!

Congrats! Smart move with the inspection and extended warranty. Enjoy the new ride!

Just be sure to stay on top of maintenance and keep an eye on any potential issues. Sounds like you set yourself up for success.