Ford Blue Advantage · Inspections
Ford Blue Advantage 172- and 139-point inspections
Updated Oct 23, 2026
Part of the Ford Blue Advantage guide at Swant Graber Ford. Shop certified inventory.
Gold Certified vehicles pass a 172-point inspection; Blue Certified vehicles pass a 139-point inspection. Both are done by Ford factory-trained dealer technicians and cover vehicle history, a road test, exterior, interior, module diagnostics, underhood, hybrid systems (where equipped), underbody and convenience items. Anything that doesn't meet Ford standards is repaired or replaced with factory-authorized parts.
Section by section
| Section | Gold (172) | Blue (139) |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle history (recalls, VIN, history report) | Items 1–5 (adds scheduled maintenance performed and emissions sticker) | Items 1–2 |
| Road test | 6–22 (17 items) | 3–13 (11 items) |
| Exterior | 23–35 (13 items) | 14–20 (7 items) |
| Interior | 36–87 (52 items) | 21–60 (40 items) |
| Module diagnostics (self-test for all modules) | 88 | 61 |
| Underhood (fluids, engine, cooling, fuel, electrical) | 89–123 (35 items) | 62–96 (35 items) |
| Hybrid systems, if equipped | 124–138 | 97–111 |
| Underbody (frame, exhaust, driveline, tires, steering, suspension, brakes) | 139–168 (30 items) | 112–136 (25 items) |
| Convenience (manuals, keys, fuel) | 169–172 | 137–139 |
Item ranges from Ford's published Gold and Blue checklists, retrieved Oct 23, 2026.
What Gold checks that Blue doesn't
- Scheduled maintenance performed and history report obtained as separate line items.
- Cold and hot shift quality and transmission noise, engine noise at high and low speeds, shift interlock and clutch.
- Body panel, bumper and door/hood alignment checks, grille and roof rack, trailer lamp connector.
- Carpet, headliner, door trim and seat upholstery; separate spring, strut and wheel alignment checks.
Checks on both that matter in Wisconsin
- No evidence of flood, fire, major or hail damage.
- Frame damage, exhaust condition and brake lines, hoses and fittings (road salt territory).
- 4x4 hub and transfer case operation, battery and starter, tire tread depth.
- Open service recalls checked through Ford's system (OASIS).
What the CARFAX screen rules out
Ford runs a CARFAX Vehicle History Report on every Gold and Blue vehicle to catch flood, fire and frame damage, salvage or branded titles, odometer issues, accident history and title history. You can ask the dealer for a copy.
Ask for the completed checklist
Every certified Ford should have a filled-in checklist showing each item as passed, repaired, replaced or N/A, with the VIN and repair order number. Ask us for it, and run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Questions
What does the Ford 172-point inspection check?
The Gold Certified 172-point inspection covers vehicle history and recalls (items 1–5), a road test (6–22), exterior (23–35), interior (36–87), a module self-test (88), underhood fluids, engine, cooling, fuel and electrical (89–123), hybrid systems where equipped (124–138), underbody frame, exhaust, driveline, tires, steering, suspension and brakes (139–168) and convenience items (169–172).
How many points is the Ford Gold Certified inspection?
172 points, covering vehicle history, road test, exterior, interior, diagnostics, underhood, hybrid systems, underbody and convenience items.
How many points is the Ford Blue Certified inspection?
139 points, covering the same sections with fewer line items than Gold.
What happens if an item fails the Ford inspection?
Ford says any item that does not meet its standards is repaired or replaced with a factory-authorized part before the vehicle is certified.
Related
Swant Graber Ford, 1697 E Division Ave, Barron, WI 54812, 715-537-9500. Doc fee $127.50.
Sources
Program details current as of Oct 23, 2026. Ford may change terms; the vehicle's warranty documents control.
- Ford, Gold Certified Inspection (archived Sep 8, 2026), retrieved Oct 23, 2026
- Ford, Blue Certified Inspection (archived Oct 9, 2026), retrieved Oct 23, 2026
- Ford, Gold Certified 172-Point Inspection Checklist (PDF), retrieved Oct 23, 2026
- Ford, Ford Blue Advantage FAQs (archived Feb 10, 2026), retrieved Oct 23, 2026
- Ford, CARFAX Vehicle History Report (archived May 11, 2026), retrieved Oct 23, 2026
- NHTSA, Recalls lookup, retrieved Oct 23, 2026