| Tips on How to Buy a Used Car | | | | to see the vehicle appraisal. The appraisal provides |
| Shopping is fun! For some of us, shopping is our | | | | lots of info and will give you a sense for how the |
| favorite past-time. So why is it that so many of us | | | | previous owner cared for the vehicle. If the vehicle |
| dread the thought of shopping for a car? Our | | | | was purchased at an auction, you need to know who |
| vehicle(s) is one of the most important investments | | | | the seller was at the auction. For example, Ford |
| we'll make in life. Our lifestyles are so dependent on | | | | Credit uses auctions to dispose of vehicles off-lease. |
| reliable transportation. When I hear stories about a | | | | Off-lease vehicles are great because leasing |
| successful, accomplished woman being greeting by a | | | | companies have high standards for reconditioning. Be |
| sales rep in a dealership with the comment, "this | | | | wary of bank repossessions. People that are upset |
| must be daddy's little girl..." I feel personally | | | | about losing their vehicle can be abusive to their car. |
| embarrassed; embarrassed for my industry and for all | | | | Sellers such as rental companies or other car dealers |
| sales professionals. But, the sad fact remains that we | | | | can be OK as long as you've followed the tips above. |
| still operate in an automotive industry predominantly | | | | Vehicles with higher mileage can also be OK as long |
| male, and what makes this sad is that many of these | | | | as you've followed the steps above. However, if you |
| men lack manners. I also think that many male | | | | like to change vehicles every few years, higher |
| consumers could share their own bad vehicle | | | | mileage will reduce resale value. Average mileage is |
| shopping experiences that I would find equally | | | | 20-25,000 kms per year. Auctions will perform |
| embarrassing. But, I remain optimistic. Through | | | | mechanical inspections on vehicles and you should ask |
| persistence and innovative sales training, we will push | | | | the dealer if they paid the auction for this service. |
| through these awkward barriers. The great news is | | | | Tip #6: It goes without saying that you must always |
| that consumers have the power to change industries. | | | | test drive any vehicle you're interested in buying. The |
| Women make more than 90% of the buying | | | | way the car feels when you drive it is one of the |
| decisions. We have a voice and car dealers have no | | | | most important aspects to your decision. Don't let |
| choice but to hear us. | | | | the dealer start the car unless you're there watching |
| If you think about what makes shopping fun, you | | | | them start it. You want to see how easily the car |
| might think of the pleasure in perusing the selection. | | | | starts, and you want to see how the car runs from |
| Or you think about how good your new purchase will | | | | cold. If the car has been running, you won't get a |
| make you feel. When you know what you want and | | | | true feel for how the car runs before it's been |
| you're confident that you'll find something that you | | | | warmed up. This is huge in the reliability factor. |
| like, the search is fun. With this in mind, shopping for | | | | Tip #7: Ask the dealer how long they've had the car |
| a car can be fun and I'm going to help make it easy | | | | in stock. If the car has been in stock for more than 3 |
| for you. First, you'll need to make a few important | | | | months, you need to know why. Sometimes there |
| decisions in order for your vehicle search to go in the | | | | won't be any good reason why the dealer hasn't |
| right direction. What is your budget and what are the | | | | been able to sell the car in less than 3 months. This |
| features that you must have in your vehicle? I | | | | could be their own internal staffing issue. However, |
| recommend that you start your search on-line using | | | | this could also be a sign of some mechanical defect. |
| Google, auto catch or auto trader. These search | | | | Ask the question. Dealers are much more motivated |
| engines will lead you to a wide variety of dealer | | | | to sell cars they've had in stock for a while, so this |
| inventories, and they allow you to search based on | | | | can be a way for you to find a good deal. Make sure |
| specifics like price and features. | | | | the price has been reduced to reflect its age in their |
| Tip #1: If possible, choose something no more than 5 | | | | inventory. |
| years old. You'll get better financing options. Most | | | | Tip#8: If you're not comfortable negotiating your |
| banks won't finance a vehicle older than this, and the | | | | purchase price, at least make sure that the asking |
| interest rates on loans or leases will increase with the | | | | price is within a reasonable range of current market |
| vehicle's age. The best interest rates offered for | | | | value. To determine the current market value, go |
| used vehicles will be on those less than 3 years old, | | | | back to your search on-line. Look for that exact |
| and these will probably have the balance of factory | | | | year, make and model. For example, you would |
| warranty, an added bonus. | | | | search for used 2009 Ford Escape in Ontario on-line. |
| Tip #2: It's much safer to buy from a dealer. They | | | | Take note of the prices for 5-10 vehicles with similar |
| are legally responsible in many ways that private | | | | mileage and the same model, such as Escape XLT. |
| sellers could never be held accountable. Not to | | | | The model, XLT, has certain features which affect |
| mention that many private sellers are "curbsiders", | | | | the price, such as alloy wheels. The mileage affects |
| people who frequently buy and re-sell used vehicles | | | | price the most. The price of the vehicle you're |
| but are too cheap to operate legitimately with a | | | | looking to buy should be close to others with similar |
| dealer's license and don't want to be regulated. You | | | | mileage. The dealer will probably have the vehicle |
| can visit OMVIC's website for details on the MVDA | | | | listed for sale on-line. Make sure that their internet |
| (Motor Vehicle Dealers Act) which is the legislation | | | | price matches their asking price on the lot. |
| that car dealers are required to comply with to | | | | Tip#9: No matter how great your used car may be, |
| operate. Ontario is a full-disclosure province which | | | | chances are that it will break-down once or twice |
| means that dealers must provide consumers with lots | | | | while you own it. All vehicles have the occasional |
| of information on used vehicle history. If you're | | | | mechanical failure. Save yourself a lot of aggravation |
| financing your purchase, it's wise to have the dealer | | | | and unexpected expense by purchasing an extended |
| arrange your financing because they have access to | | | | warranty. Make sure your warranty includes roadside |
| multiple lenders who specialize in auto loans and can | | | | assistance. Hopefully you're able to get a vehicle that |
| get you better rates. Franchise car dealers (those | | | | still has the balance of manufacturer's warranty. If |
| who also sell new vehicles) usually have a larger | | | | this is the case, buy an extended warranty that |
| network of lenders that are willing to work with | | | | offers "wrap" coverage. This means that the |
| them, and they can offer more solutions for difficult | | | | aftermarket extended warranty coverage will |
| credit situations. Deal exclusively with dealers that are | | | | automatically be effective when your manufacturer's |
| members of multiple associations, especially the | | | | warranty expires. If you intend to re-sell or trade-in |
| UCDA (Used Car Dealers Association). These | | | | your used vehicle every 3-5 years, it is very wise to |
| associations offer great resources which help dealers | | | | purchase rust protection. Whether you live in a bitter, |
| better serve their customers. | | | | cold climate or a warm, sunny climate, your vehicle |
| Tip #3: Ask the dealer what they do to recondition | | | | will be subjected to harsh weather conditions. Rust |
| their used vehicles. Look for dealers with standard | | | | protection products will make a big difference in |
| operating procedures which their staff must follow, | | | | keeping your vehicle in pristine condition. Most |
| such as 20 point inspections in addition to safety | | | | dealerships offer rust protection packages which |
| certifications. Companies with structured policies have | | | | include interior fabric protection, as well as exterior |
| better quality service and their customers come first. | | | | paint and under-carriage protection. This will help to |
| Dealers with on-site service garages usually | | | | preserve the resale value of your vehicle. Additionally, |
| recondition more thoroughly due to ease of access | | | | consider insurance products available at the dealership |
| to service equipment and technicians. Ask to see the | | | | which are great for protecting the financial |
| service records and ask for an explanation of what | | | | investment that you`ll make in your vehicle purchase. |
| their multi-point inspection entails. Your common | | | | Tip #10: By now, hopefully you`ve found a vehicle |
| sense will lead you in the right direction with this | | | | that you love, that meets all your needs, that fits |
| information. Avoid vehicles that have had extensive | | | | your budget and at a dealership that you like dealing |
| body repairs, or wheel (brakes, tires, etc) & | | | | with. Don`t buy on your 1st visit. If you really, really |
| suspension repairs. These are indications of excessive | | | | love the vehicle and don`t want to lose it, leave a |
| wear and tear early in the vehicle's life. | | | | security deposit with the dealership to hold the |
| Tip #4: Ask the dealer to review with you the | | | | vehicle. Go home, and go back to your internet |
| vehicle's history report. Do not buy a vehicle without | | | | search. Make sure that the price is right. Compare |
| a history report. There are many brands of history | | | | your desired vehicle to others available for sale |
| reports. Car Proof and UCDA reports are the best | | | | on-line. Your vehicle is one of those shopping |
| and most reliable. These reports will tell you if the | | | | experiences that you do not want to be impulsive. |
| vehicle has ever been involved in an accident (which | | | | The best reason for waiting a day to buy is to test |
| is not always a deal breaker), if the odometer has | | | | the dealership. If they don`t call you some time after |
| ever been replaced, if there are any brands against | | | | leaving the dealership to try and get you to come |
| the vehicle such as rebuilt or salvage (these are | | | | back, they probably won`t have the greatest |
| definitely deal breakers, run away!), if the vehicle has | | | | customer service after you`ve made a purchase. You |
| ever been registered out of the province or the | | | | want a dealership that will work hard to maintain your |
| country (which would mean you're missing info on | | | | client relationship. They should contact you regularly |
| this vehicle's history), and if the factory warranty has | | | | for service reminders and customer service follow-up |
| been cancelled (not a good sign). The best advice | | | | to make sure that you`re still happy with your vehicle. |
| here is to look for vehicles that have very short | | | | If they don`t call you, as an unsold prospect who |
| history reports. You want a used car with no stories, | | | | test drove a vehicle and left a deposit, the chances |
| and no skeletons in the closet. A clean history report | | | | for after-sales follow-up do not look good. Don`t |
| usually means you're looking at a healthy car. | | | | worry, your deposit is fully refundable. Get it back |
| Tip #5: Ask the dealer where they bought the | | | | within 48 hours if you decide that you don`t want to |
| vehicle. If it was traded-in by another customer, ask | | | | buy from that dealership. |