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Know Before You Go
At Rochester Ford, we know that sometimes you just want a quick answer to a question or want to be fully prepared before stepping into the dealership to buy a vehicle, receive service, etc. That is why we put together some of your most frequently asked questions!
Sales FAQs
What items should I bring in order to complete my purchase?
- Valid Government issued ID – Some examples include: Driver’s license, State ID, Passport. You will need a valid driver’s license to drive away in your new vehicle.
- Proof of current insurance
- Down payment (Cash, check, and cashier’s check are all acceptable methods of payment)
- Title and lien release if you plan on trading in your current vehicle – Lien release is only required if your vehicle is paid off. It is best to not sign on the title as the seller until you arrive at the dealership
How does a test drive work?
- If you are interested in test driving a vehicle at Rochester Ford, you can follow these easy steps:
- Walk in or schedule your test drive online at this link: https://www.rochesterford.com/testdrive.aspx.
- Once you arrive at our dealership, one of our helpful Ford Sales Consultants will greet you and accompany you on a test drive.
- Please make sure to bring a valid and up-to-date driver’s license for our team to put on file before we hit the road.
How does the trade-in process work?
- Rochester Ford guarantees real cash value for your vehicle. We, the guest and an experienced Sales Manager, will do an interactive trade evaluation in which together we will walk around your trade and take it for a test drive. Your vehicle’s cash value is determined from an assessment of your vehicle, market research, and the test drive.
What are the benefits of leasing?
- There are many benefits of leasing a vehicle at Rochester Ford. Roughly 1/3 of customers purchasing, lease or opt for “lease to buy”. Leasing a vehicle:
- Allows for less cash required upfront.
- Gives you the ability to drive a new vehicle every 2 – 3 years.
- Has lower monthly payments.
- Give you more equipment for less money.
- Allows you to only pay for the portion of the vehicle you use.
- Is generally under warranty for the duration of the lease.
What are the benefits of buying?
- When you purchase a vehicle at Rochester Ford, you have the opportunity to utilize our free Lifetime Powertrain while taking advantage of our available extended warranty options for the longevity of your vehicle. Plus, when you purchase, the vehicle is yours!
Do you buy cars?
- Yes! Our team guarantees the same cash value for your vehicle even if you don’t trade-in and buy another vehicle from us, even though we would love it if you did!
What does CPO mean?
- CPO stands for Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles. Ford Blue Advantage vehicles feature three levels of certification, Gold, EV, and Blue, based on several factors, including a used vehicle’s age and mileage. Please visit https://www.rochesterford.com/ford-certified.aspx to to learn more on each of these options.
Can I return my car if I don’t like it?
- Buying a car should be an exciting event, not something to regret. That’s why at Rochester Ford our pre-owned vehicles receive the following guarantees:
- 3 months / 30,000-mile Powertrain Warranty
- 7-day money back guarantee
- 30-day exchange guarantee
What is a Lifetime Powertrain Warranty?
- Most vehicles purchased from Rochester Ford include a lifetime powertrain warranty. This includes unlimited time and unlimited miles at no cost to you. Vehicles excluded from this include: Transits, Transit Connects, Super Duty’s, Raptors, and any vehicles titled in a business name. For more information, visit https://www.rochesterford.com/lifetime-warranty.html.
Finance FAQs
What financing options do you offer?
- At Rochester Ford, we work with a variety of lenders to find competitive terms and conditions for you. When you are financing, typical loans are 48 – 60 months. Shorter terms means less interest payments and extended terms are available. In terms of cash payments, more cash down means lower interest rates and payments, equity in trade can be used, and we let lenders bid for your business! For more details, please visit https://www.rochesterford.com/getpreapproved.aspx.
What rate do I qualify for?
- Our Ford Finance team works with several different lenders who compete for your business to provide a competitive rate. Approvals can vary on roughly 20 different factors including term, credit rating, loan structure, etc. Some aspects that can impact loan structure are money down, if there is a trade value to include, or if there is a payoff.
I’m already pre-approved, can I set it up through my bank? Or do you have other options that save me time and money?
- With our Ford team’s buying power and several different lenders who provide preferential rates, we can typically match or beat any local bank or credit union which, in turn, saves time and money. The great news is that Rochester Ford is a one stop shop and will take care of all your financial needs at one time.
Do you offer protection past the factory warranty?
- Absolutely! At Rochester Ford, we provide 2 – 3 service contract providers that the dealership stands behind. These service contracts are customizable to your driving habits, so you won’t pay for anything you aren’t going to use. These are based on how long you plan to own the vehicle and how far you plan to drive each month. We also offer lifetime options on all new vehicles. With the rise of labor costs, it is important to protect your budget going forward!
What’s the longest I can finance?
- Based on current industry trends, most lenders will finance up to 84 months.
What’s the shortest I can finance?
- Based on current industry trends, most lenders will finance as low as 24 months.
If I finance through you, do any of your banks have penalties for early payoff?
- No, we do not partner with lenders that have penalties based on your decisions to pay ahead or pay off early.
Do you have lease options?
- Yes, we have lease options as low as 24 months / 7,500 miles per year and up to high mileage leases which exceed 25,000 miles per year.
Can I lease a used car?
- Yes, we do have several certified used vehicles that qualify for leases.
I drive a lot of miles, can I still lease?
- Yes, we offer leases for up to 25,000 miles per year. Typically, your cost per mile is cheaper when you lease rather than own.
Service FAQs
How do I schedule an appointment?
- To schedule an appointment, you can visit https://www.rochesterford.com/schedule-service-ford.html or call 507-361-0013.
If I wait for my vehicle service to be complete, how long will it take?
- We always do our best to work vehicles through in a timely manner. Unfortunately, until the vehicle is diagnosed, it is difficult to place a time estimate.
If I wait for an oil change to be complete, how long will it take?
- Our certified technicians will take 45 – 60 minutes to complete your oil change, fluid top off, and vehicle inspection with a scheduled appointment. Walk-in service may take longer depending on current capacity and availability.
How do I use your shuttle?
- When checking in, you can use our new shuttle QR code to schedule your ride. This QR code can be found around the dealership, at your Service Advisor’s desk, or you can follow this link: https://commandcenter.goquickride.com/shuttles. Please be aware that our shuttles are first come, first serve. Please plan ahead if you will be on a tight timeframe. Additional shuttle details can be found in the question below
- Please note that car seats are not provided. Pets are welcome, however, they must be leashed.
Where can the shuttle take me?
- Our shuttle routes are as follows:
- Must be to or from one of our Rochester Motor Cars locations:
- Rochester Toyota
- Rochester Ford
- Rochester Quick Lane at Ford
- Rochester Collision Center North
- Rochester Mazda
- Rochester Chevrolet Cadillac
- Rochester Collision Center South
- Rochester Quick Lane on 2nd
- Rochester Car Clearance Center
- Must be within Rochester city limits.
- Mayo Clinic approved drop off and pick up locations:
- Dan Abraham
- Gonda East
- Charter House
- Baldwin
- St. Mary’s
- Generose
- Jacobson Building
- One Discovery Square
- Must be to or from one of our Rochester Motor Cars locations:
What time does the shuttle start each day?
- Our shuttle hours are as follows:
- Monday – Friday from 6am – 5:30pm
- Saturday from 7:45am – 3:30pm
- Sunday: CLOSED
Is there a loaner I can use while my vehicle is in the shop?
- A limited number of rental vehicles are available for customer use. Please inquire when making your appointment to see if one is available and if there would be a charge for use of the rental.
You have a lot full of vehicles. Why are you unable to supply me with a rental?
- Unfortunately, we are only able to utilize certain vehicles for rentals per the State and Ford Motor Company.
Where do I park when I come in for oil change?
- The Quick Lane at Ford is located on the north east side of the dealership at the end of the building. Please feel free to park in any spot nearby and proceed inside to check in with one of our Service Advisors.
Where do I park when I come in for repair work and recalls?
- The Service Department is located on the north side of the dealership facing Kuehn Motors. Please feel free to pull right in through the single overhead door and as far forward as possible. From there, you may shut the vehicle off, leave the key in the ignition, and proceed to a Service Advisor to check in.
My appointment in the repair shop is for X time. What time should I expect work to begin on my vehicle?
- Appointments are set up as a time for you to speak with your Service Advisor and turn over the vehicle to them. We do our best to work vehicles through the shop in a timely manner, but we will coordinate based on the technician’s availability. Your Service Advisor will be able to provide you a more accurate timeline when dropping off the vehicle.
My appointment in the repair shop is for X time. What time can I drop off my vehicle?
- With the exception of utilizing our after hours drop box, we ask that you bring your vehicle in as close to your appointment time as possible. We set appointments in our system to help manage flow through our Service Drive and avoid congestion with our Service Advisors and shuttles.
How much does it cost to diagnose my vehicle?
- Diagnoses start at $125 per concern.
I have an extended warranty. What does that process look like?
- We will bring your vehicle in and proceed with diagnosis. Unfortunately, until the concern is diagnosed, we would not know if the issue is covered, so a diagnostic charge is quoted. Once we have determined what caused the failure, we will contact the extended warranty company for approval. This may take some time to acquire authorization. Often times, we need to send in photos of the vehicle or an inspector may be sent out to see the vehicle in person.
My extended warranty deductible is $XXX. Why am I being charged more?
- Extended warranties do not always cover all the components needed to properly repair the vehicle. This includes items such as cleaners, fluids, bolts, etc. Please reference your warranty contract for details.
My vehicle is still in the 3 year / 36,000 mile warranty period. Why am I being quoted $125 to diagnose my concern?
- Unfortunately, we are unable to confirm coverage until the vehicle is diagnosed. Once we know what component failed, we are able to confirm with Ford Motor Company if coverage exists. The factory warranty is extensive, however, some components have restrictions on mileage and time frame, or an issue may have been caused by something other than a defect.
What do extended warranties cover?
- This depends entirely on the contract purchased. Please refer to your warranty contract for specific coverage details.
Parts FAQs
What information should I have if I am looking for a part?
- The best way for us to look up parts for your vehicle is by the VIN number. If your vehicle has been serviced by us before, we can also use your phone number.
Where in the VIN number located on my vehicle?
- You can find your VIN number either on the door jam, the driver’s side dash along the windshield, on your insurance card, or on your vehicle’s title.
I lost the keys to my vehicle, how can I get a new one?
- We will need your VIN number to get the correct key fob. You will have to purchase 2 keys for it to be programmed to your vehicle. A programming fee is charged for this service, and your vehicle must be present at Rochester Ford to have this completed. You will be asked to provide proof of ownership by providing a valid driver’s license, insurance, or registration card. Please note that if your vehicle is 10 years or older and you do not have a copy of the key fob, Ford’s system will not be able to pull the key code.
How can I get the key code for my vehicle?
- We can pull the key code from your vehicle if it is less than 10 model years old. You will be asked to provide proof of ownership by providing a valid driver’s license, insurance, or registration card. Please note that if your vehicle is 10 years or older and you do not have a copy of the key fob, Ford’s system will not be able to pull the key code.
How do I remove or install parts on my vehicle?
- Please contact our scheduling center at (507)-288-7564 to set up an appointment or visit https://www.rochesterford.com/schedule-service-ford.html and get your vehicle inspected by one of our Ford Certified Technicians.
Can you tell me specific bolt and screw sizes on various parts?
- Unfortunately, Ford’s catalog does not provide us with specific measurements on bolt and screw sizes.
Can I return a part if it does not work for my vehicle or fix the issue?
- Yes, we accept returns within a 30-day period. However, we do not accept returns on electrical items or parts that have been installed and did not fit. There is an additional 20% restocking fee on returned special order parts. Please note that providing your VIN number is helpful in finding parts that fit your vehicle to prevent the wrong parts being ordered.
Can you tell me the compatibility of parts from a different make and model that would fit on my vehicle?
- We cannot guarantee that parts for a different make and model will fit. Our system only shows us the parts that are specific to your vehicle’s VIN number. Please note that providing your VIN number is helpful in finding parts that fit your vehicle to prevent the wrong parts being ordered.