Buying | Farmington, MO
A courtesy vehicle is a late model Ford that spent its first few thousand miles as a service loaner. It can be a smart buy, as long as you ask the right questions before you sign.
Every week, folks drop their Ford at our service drive on Flat River Road and drive off in a newer one while the work gets done. Most shoppers never think about where those loaners end up. After a few months in the courtesy fleet, a lot of them go up for sale.
For a buyer in Farmington or Bonne Terre, that can mean a current or recent model Ford with low miles and a history we know. There are a few wrinkles a brand new one doesn't have, though. Most of them come down to mileage, title status and when the factory warranty clock started. Below is how courtesy vehicles work and what to ask so you get straight answers.
Quick answer: A Ford courtesy vehicle is a late model Ford a dealership used as a service loaner and then puts up for sale, usually with a few thousand miles on it. Ford's warranty starts the day a vehicle is delivered or first put into service, whichever comes first. So before you hold it up against a new or certified pre owned Ford, get the exact warranty start date and the odometer reading, and find out whether it sells as new or used.
What it is
A late model Ford used as a dealer service loaner
Typical miles
Varies by vehicle; check the odometer
Ask first
The warranty start date
In this post
What Is a Ford Courtesy Vehicle?
It's a Ford the dealership keeps in its loaner fleet for service customers. When your F-150 is in for an all day repair, or your Explorer's waiting on parts, a loaner keeps you on the road. We offer loaners depending on the work, plus a courtesy shuttle and a waiting lounge.
Loaners are usually current or recent model years, and they rotate out of the fleet after a while. That's when they go up for sale. Our Courtesy Vehicle Specials page shows what's available right now.
People sometimes lump courtesy vehicles in with demonstrators, the ones salespeople use for test drives. They do have one big thing in common. Both were put to work before a retail buyer took delivery, and that's behind most of the questions below.

How Do Miles and the Warranty Start Date Work on a Courtesy Vehicle?
Miles are the easy part. Customers drive loaners on errands, to work in Desloge, up US 67 to Festus. How many miles depends on how long it stayed in the fleet, so read the odometer on the one you're looking at. Don't assume.
The warranty start date takes more care. Ford's warranty guide says the New Vehicle Limited Warranty begins the day you take delivery or the day the vehicle is first put into service, say as a dealer demonstrator, whichever comes first. On a loaner, that date could be months back.
Ford's New Vehicle Limited Warranty includes Bumper to Bumper coverage for 3 years or 36,000 miles and Powertrain coverage for 5 years or 60,000 miles, whichever comes first. Both run from that start date and from zero on the odometer, so whatever time and miles are already used come off what you get.
Ask the salesperson to look up the warranty start date by VIN and write it down for you.
That doesn't make a courtesy vehicle a bad deal. You just have to compare it honestly. Ask the salesperson to look up the warranty start date by VIN and write it down for you. Then figure how much coverage is left for the way you drive.
Farmington driver tip
If you put big miles on a vehicle commuting toward St. Louis, the 36,000 mile Bumper to Bumper limit may run out before the three years do. Figure your yearly miles first, then decide what the remaining coverage is worth to you.
How Does a Courtesy Vehicle Compare to a New or Certified Pre Owned Ford?
A courtesy vehicle sits somewhere between a brand new Ford and a certified pre owned one.
New Ford
A new Ford's warranty starts the day you take delivery, with nothing used up. Pick one from inventory, or place a custom factory order and get exactly the trim and color you want. Current manufacturer offers on new models are on our specials pages.
Courtesy vehicle
It's usually close to new, with the same model year features. The build's already set, though, and some warranty time and miles may be gone. Whether it sells as new or used, and whether any new vehicle offers apply, depends on the vehicle and Ford's program rules at the time. Ask.
Ford Blue Advantage certified pre owned
Ford Blue Advantage has two tiers. Gold Certified is for Ford vehicles up to six years old with fewer than 80,000 miles. It gets a 172 point inspection, a 12 month or 12,000 mile Comprehensive Limited Warranty and a 7 year or 100,000 mile Powertrain Limited Warranty. Blue Certified covers any make up to ten years old with fewer than 150,000 miles, with a 139 point inspection and a 90 day or 4,000 mile Comprehensive Limited Warranty. Both include a 14 day or 1,000 mile money back guarantee, roadside assistance and a CARFAX report.
A newer courtesy vehicle may have more factory Bumper to Bumper time left than a CPO vehicle. An older CPO Ford may cost less. Put the remaining coverage on each side by side and it usually gets clear pretty fast.
See Courtesy VehiclesBrowse Certified Fords
What Should You Ask Before Buying a Courtesy Vehicle?
Bring this list, or pull it up on your phone while you walk the lot. A good salesperson can answer every one.
Get the warranty start date
Ask for the date tied to the VIN and how many months and miles of Bumper to Bumper and Powertrain coverage remain.
Find out if it sells as new or used
Title status changes the registration paperwork and can change which offers or financing programs apply. Get it in writing.
Ask which offers apply
Manufacturer offers change month to month and each has its own rules. Ask which ones, if any, work on this vehicle.
Look at the service history
Loaners live at the service department, so ask for the maintenance records and whether there are any open recalls or software updates.
Confirm Warranty Forever
Warranty Forever comes on every new Ford and most used vehicles sold at Sam Scism Ford. Make sure this one qualifies before you sign.
Then give it the same once over you'd give any vehicle. Look at the tires and check the bumpers and interior for scuffs. Take it out MO 32 or onto US 67 so you hear it at highway speed, not just around the lot.
Who Is a Courtesy Vehicle a Good Fit For?
Courtesy vehicles work well if you want a current model Ford and you're not picky about the exact build. If the color and trim on the lot are close enough, a lightly used loaner can make sense.
- Flexible on options: you care more about the model than about exact packages or paint.
- Moderate yearly miles: the remaining factory coverage will still carry you a good distance.
- Ready now: you'd rather drive home this week than wait on a factory order.
- Trading in: you have a vehicle to sell or trade and want to roll it into the deal.
If you've got a specific configuration in mind, a new Ford from inventory or a custom factory order is probably the way to go. If it's mostly about budget, look hard at Ford Blue Advantage. We're happy to lay all three out for you.

Whichever you buy, set up the FordPass app. It shows service reminders for your vehicle and lets you schedule maintenance, which makes it easier to keep the records Warranty Forever asks for.
Warranty Forever
Every new Ford and most used vehicles sold at Sam Scism Ford come with Warranty Forever at no charge. It covers listed engine, transmission and drive axle parts for as long as you own the vehicle, no matter the miles, with no deductible, as long as you follow the customary maintenance in the agreement and keep records. See the dealer for details.
How it worksCourtesy Vehicle Basics
What is a Ford courtesy vehicle?
It's a late model Ford a dealership lent to service customers and later put up for sale. Most have low miles and current or recent model year features.
Is a courtesy vehicle the same as a demo?
Close cousins. A demo gets used for test drives and a courtesy vehicle gets lent to service customers, but both went into use before a retail buyer took delivery.
Where can I see courtesy vehicles for sale at Sam Scism Ford?
They're on our Courtesy Vehicle Specials page. The list changes as loaners rotate out, so check back or call sales at 573-430-1687.
Warranty Questions
When does the Ford warranty start on a courtesy vehicle?
Ford starts the New Vehicle Limited Warranty on the delivery date or the date the vehicle was first put into service, whichever is earlier. On a loaner that could be months before you buy, so ask for it by VIN.
How much factory warranty does a courtesy vehicle have left?
Subtract the time since the warranty start date and the miles on the odometer from Ford's 3 year or 36,000 mile Bumper to Bumper and 5 year or 60,000 mile Powertrain coverage. Whichever limit you hit first ends that coverage.
Can a courtesy vehicle get Warranty Forever?
It comes on every new Ford and most used vehicles we sell. Just confirm the one you like qualifies before you finalize the deal.
Price and Offers
Are courtesy vehicles cheaper than new?
Usually they're priced under a comparable new Ford because of the miles and the warranty time already used. Weigh the coverage that's left along with the price.
Do manufacturer offers apply to courtesy vehicles?
Some might and some won't, depending on title status and Ford's rules that month. Our sales team can tell you which ones, if any, apply to a given vehicle.
Can I finance a courtesy vehicle?
You can. It works like financing any vehicle, so start on our finance page or talk to the Finance Center about terms that fit your budget.
Condition and History
Are courtesy vehicles driven hard?
Mostly they get everyday errands and commutes while the customer's own vehicle is in the shop. Still, look over the tires, interior and records like you would on anything else.
Do loaners get regular maintenance?
Ask to see the records on that vehicle. Since loaners stay at the dealership, the maintenance history's usually easy to pull up.
Should I check for recalls before buying a courtesy vehicle?
Always. Ask whether any open recalls or software updates are tied to the VIN and have them completed before delivery.
Making the Choice
Is a courtesy vehicle or a CPO Ford the better buy?
Depends on your miles and budget. A newer courtesy vehicle may keep more factory Bumper to Bumper time. A Ford Blue Advantage vehicle brings its own certified coverage and may cost less.
Can I trade in my current vehicle toward a courtesy vehicle?
Yes, same as on any new or used vehicle. Get an online offer through our Sell Your Car page or have it appraised at the store.
Should I order a new Ford instead?
If you want a specific trim or color and don't mind waiting, order one. If you'd rather drive home soon and there's a close match on the lot, take a look at the courtesy vehicles.