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Tips To Help You When Buying a Used Auto in Canada |
Looking for a used car and want to make sure you don’t get ripped off? Everyone knows they should bring along a friend. To ensure that you are not buying a lemon, here are five tips to help you buy a used car.
Private Sales
Never buy a car if it is less then it should be, you know then that there must be something wrong with it â€" there are no bargains in this world.
Stains and Leaks
Look for the following stains and leaks in the driveway:
for transmission fluid leaks - purple puddles
for oil or transmission fluid leaks - black or brown puddles and stains
for a leaking radiator - rust colored stains
Look for Rebuilt Cars
check the gaps in the body of the car - they should be the same distance apart at the top and the bottom of all panels. Uneven gaps suggest there has been accident damage.
the paint should match on all panels - look for over spray on plastic parts, around lights, and mirrors.
beware of custom paint jobs and body-kits - they may look cool, but they could be hiding damage.
Known Issues
Ask the seller to point out all known problems and keep track of those that you find that the seller has not mentioned.
Maintenance Records
Ask for proof of service, maintenance records, oil changes and tune-ups. If they cannot produce the documents, just walk away.
Why are you selling this reliable automobile?
The first thing you want to do is ask the seller why they are selling their used car. Why don’t they like it anymore? Is it not good enough for them? And for that matter what’s so great about their new car? Put them on the defense, this way they will have to come up with a quick answer, if they hesitate they may have something to hide. It is best to ask this in person, so you can judge not only their tone, but also their body language. Most people are terrible liars. Also be wary if the seller tries to close the deal too quickly â€" it could be a good sign they are trying to offload a piece of junk on you.
The only true way to ensure you are not getting ripped off is to get your get a trusted mechanic to perform a proper inspection before you even consider purchasing the used car.
A great tip when purchasing a used car from a dealer
Dealers may now be purchasing used vehicles from the U.S., and unknowingly sell you a car that has had flood damage. Before leaving the lot, follow these easy steps to see if the vehicle has had any water damage.
Flood Damage
If you find any rusting on the inside of the car it may have been caused by water damage. Look for rust on:
metal holdings under the seats
spare tire
crowbar
door hinges
jack
Remember, when going through a dealership, the safest thing to do is ensure you are buying a used car from a reputable dealer.
Used Car Reports
Search for a company that offers background checks on used cars, Carproof.ca is one of them. They offer a complete report from all Canadian jurisdictions for title and accident history.
ABOUT THE WRITERS
<br>David Leonhardt and Corey Rozon are Canadian website marketing consultants.
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