The Mike Murphy Difference
The Mike Murphy Difference
Practical questions come with buying and owning a Ford, and our Morton team would rather answer them plainly than leave you guessing. This page takes on six of them: why buy local, how trade values work, why genuine Ford parts matter, why service records matter, how pickup and delivery works and how the Ford app works.
Four answers come with an official Ford video, and each tells you what the clip shows before you press play. The other two, on buying local and trade values, come without a video and draw on facts about our store and the steps behind our online trade offer. Our team is happy to go deeper on any of them in person.
- 1984The year Mike Murphy Ford began serving Morton
- 20Ford President's Award honors for customer experience
- 40+Lenders our finance team works with
- 50Emergency loaners in our fleet. Ask about availability when you book.
Our story
Why Buy Local
Buying local means your purchase, your service visits and your questions can all stay with one nearby team. Morton has been home to Mike Murphy Ford since 1984, and we also serve customers from Washington, Tremont, Eureka, Pekin and East Peoria. We are locally owned, a Chamber of Commerce member here in Morton and involved in the community around our store.
Local service matters just as much. Our factory-trained technicians use genuine OEM parts, and Ford Senior Master Technicians are on the service team. We also offer complimentary coffee, free Wi-Fi and a kids area, and service customers receive a free car wash. On the finance side, CEFCU members can use CEFCU vehicle-loan financing with us.
- Start onlineType your vehicle's details into our Value Your Trade tool and work through the prompts. A trade offer comes back within minutes.
- Talk to our teamReach out with questions about your trade, and schedule an appointment when you want our team to look the vehicle over.
- Get the actual valueOur team sets the actual value after inspecting the vehicle. Ask what shaped the number, such as condition and upkeep.
How it works
How Trade Values Work
An online number is a starting point, not the final word. Ford is upfront that the trade-in value on its website, calculated by a third-party vendor, is only an estimate, because a physical inspection can turn up things a form cannot, and actual value comes from your local Ford dealer. Our process works the same way: an offer from our online tool, then an in-person inspection.
Age, condition and upkeep shape a trade value: the FTC says older or damaged cars are generally worth less, while Ford says regularly maintained vehicles have higher resale value. If yours is not paid off, the CFPB says to find out the payoff amount as well as the trade-in value. Your Ford Rewards account is tied to you, not the vehicle, so a trade leaves your Points in place.
Official Ford video
Why Genuine Ford Parts Matter
Ford recommends genuine Ford replacement parts. Its Warranty Guide also notes that you may choose non-Ford parts for non-warranty work, and asks that they equal Ford parts in performance, quality and durability. Ford says Motorcraft parts must pass levels of Ford certification other aftermarket parts do not, and our Parts Center sells only genuine OEM Ford parts made to factory specifications.
In this 30-second official Ford Service ad, comedian Nate Bargatze, cast as a terrible mechanic, leaves his truck to the experts at Ford Service. Its tagline: "Real parts. Real pros. Real easy." At Mike Murphy Ford, Ford Rewards members can earn Points when eligible service uses Ford or Motorcraft parts, and Ford's Service Parts Warranty covers defects in new Ford and Motorcraft parts, with terms that vary by part.
Official Ford video
Why Your Service Records Matter
Service records prove the work was done. Ford's Warranty Guide tells owners to keep maintenance receipts with the vehicle, since you may have to show that maintenance was performed to get warranty repairs. Keep them whichever shop does the work. Records can also help the next owner, who can use remaining Service Parts Warranty coverage on an earlier repair with the sales slip or repair order.
Ford's official Service Advice video covers regular maintenance rather than records themselves. It explains that parts wear out over time, routine checkups help keep a vehicle in good working condition, and Ford recommends following your owner's manual schedule. When a Ford dealer like ours does the work, the record reaches your Ford account on its own, and visits elsewhere can be entered by hand.
Official Ford video
How Pickup & Delivery Works
Our complimentary Ford Pickup & Delivery starts with you choosing a time and a place, home or work. We come get your Ford, handle the service at our dealership and return it, keeping you posted however you like: phone, text or email. This official Ford clip shows that first moment: an Explorer being picked up from an owner's home for service.
As a participating dealer, we may limit the program based on availability, distance and other criteria we set. It covers pickup and return, not parts or repair charges. Warranty and customer-pay repairs qualify if the vehicle is drivable, has no flat tire and is not part of a roadside collision; one that will not run needs Roadside Assistance instead. Loaners are at our discretion, so confirm when you schedule.
Official Ford video
How the Ford App Works
The Ford app (formerly FordPass) took its current name on October 30, 2025, and it is free to download. It keeps your service history at hand, lists upcoming scheduled maintenance and active recalls in its Service Planner, includes Ford Rewards and lets you schedule service with your preferred dealer. On equipped vehicles with an activated modem, the app also offers remote start, lock and unlock, and vehicle location.
This one-minute Ford video introduces the Ford AI Assistant: type a question or upload an image and get answers tied to your vehicle, from Tow/Haul mode to a quick fix or a pre-trip health check. Ford is rolling it out in waves, so your app may not have it yet. You can still book service with us there by naming Mike Murphy Ford your preferred dealer.
More From Ford Service Advice
Three more official Ford Service Advice videos cover everyday upkeep: tire tread, oil changes and tire rotation. They offer general Ford guidance, and requirements vary by vehicle, so follow your owner's manual for yours. For tire questions closer to home, read our tire care advice or ask our service team.
See the Difference in Morton
The difference is easiest to judge for yourself. Stop by our Morton store or send our team a note through the contact page. If a new Ford is on your list, browse new inventory online first and ask us about any vehicle that catches your eye.