When you’re shopping for a car, Amazon might not be the first place you think of to look at, but the e-commerce giant wants to change that, and it’s likely hoping its latest deal will help.
Amazon and Ford have announced a new collaboration that allows customers to buy Ford’s certified pre-owned vehicles through Amazon Autos. The program is initially launching with Ford dealerships in Los Angeles, Seattle, and Dallas, with Ford planning to expand to “additional markets” soon.
Car shoppers interested in purchasing a pre-owned Ford can browse, finance, and purchase a vehicle from a local Ford dealer’s inventory entirely on Amazon, including completing most of the paperwork online, and then schedule a time to pick it up. Ford emphasizes that all the vehicles it sells on Amazon come backed by its Blue Advantage warranty, which means they have undergone a multipoint inspection and include roadside assistance.
“This program combines the trust and quality of a Ford-certified vehicle with the familiar, convenient shopping experience of Amazon,” Ford explained in a blog post.
Hyundai was the first automaker to partner with Amazon Autos
If you want to avoid aimlessly wandering around a dealership’s showroom or lot to find your next car, then Amazon Autos could now be the place to look, especially since Ford has started selling its pre-owned vehicles there.
Ford is also highlighting that it offers a “14-day/1000-mile Money-Back Guarantee” with all its certified pre-owned vehicles sold on Amazon Autos. So, if you buy a pre-owned car from Ford on Amazon, pick it up, start driving, and then decide it isn’t for you, you can return it.
Ford also offers three different certifications for its pre-owned cars: Gold, Blue, and EV. Gold-certified cars are up to six years old, with fewer than 80,000 miles, and have undergone a 172-point inspection, accompanied by a 12-month/12,000-mile warranty. Blue-certified includes cars up to 10 years old, with fewer than 150,000 miles, and features a 139-point inspection and a 90-day/4,000-mile warranty. EV-certified is for electric Ford vehicles up to six years old, with fewer than 80,000 miles, and includes a 127-point inspection and a 12-month/12,000-mile warranty. All these limited warranties are based on whichever comes first, the days or the mileage.
Amazon Autos initially launched in 2023, partnering with Hyundai to sell both new and pre-owned vehicles. Earlier this year, Amazon also announced it was teaming up with Hertz Car Sales to sell its used rental cars through Amazon Autos.
The key distinction between Ford and Hyundai on Amazon Autos is that Ford currently exclusively sells used cars, whereas Hyundai offers both new and used vehicles. Ford has not said if it plans to start selling new cars on Amazon Autos in the future.
Personally, I’m not sure if I could ever commit to buying a car without seeing it first, but I suppose if people just want to find a used car quickly and easily, then Amazon Autos is a viable option. The silver lining is that Ford offers a 14-day or 1,000-mile money-back guarantee, so if you buy it, drive it for a day or two, and dislike it, you can get your money back. The only thing missing from this process is Amazon’s signature Prime delivery, as you still have to go to the dealership yourself to pick it up after purchasing on Amazon. But that’s probably because delivering a car isn’t exactly cheap.
