Shopping for a used car can be difficult, especially in Canada.
Too often, you hear horror stories of people buying “lemons”, or getting
scammed by underhanded used car dealers. Now, this doesn’t happen often – most
used car dealerships are legitimate businesses, and operate as such.
Too often, you hear horror stories of people buying “lemons”, or getting
scammed by underhanded used car dealers. Now, this doesn’t happen often – most
used car dealerships are legitimate businesses, and operate as such.
But it can still be hard to tell the difference until it’s too
late. So, what should you look for in a high-quality used car dealership in
Canada? We’ll tell you!
late. So, what should you look for in a high-quality used car dealership in
Canada? We’ll tell you!
Read on, and learn how to distinguish the good from the bad, and get into a fantastic used car that’s perfect for your needs – without getting ripped off by an underhanded dealer.
1. A Large Selection Of High Quality Vehicles
One great way to determine the overall quality of a used car
dealer is to assess the overall quality of the vehicles they’re offering. You
should survey the dealer’s lot. Do most of the cars look like they’re in good
condition? Are there rusty cars on the lot? Are the cars clean?
If you’re at a used Kias in Langley dealership that only has
a few cars that look good, chances are that even those cars have some issues
that they’re not going to come clean about. Just looking at the overall
selection of vehicles available at a dealership can tell you a lot about the
general quality of their automobiles.
a few cars that look good, chances are that even those cars have some issues
that they’re not going to come clean about. Just looking at the overall
selection of vehicles available at a dealership can tell you a lot about the
general quality of their automobiles.
If the overall level of quality seems good, that’s definitely a good sign –
though it’s not a guarantee that any specific car will run flawlessly. You’ll
still want to thoroughly inspect each car you’re interested in.
2. They Foot The Bill
For Carproof
Carproof is the #1 vehicle history report service in Canada –
and any legitimate used car dealer should be willing to furnish you with a
comprehensive vehicle history report at no cost to you. If they’re willing to
do so, it’s a fantastic sign – they’re clearly dedicated to providing you with
the details about the car you’re interested in, even if there has been some
damage to it in the past.
If a dealer is unwilling to foot the bill for Carproof or a
similar service and doesn’t give you any kind of vehicle history report, that
should be a warning sign to you. They’re unwilling to give you all of the
information required to determine whether or not you should purchase a car –
and there’s probably a reason for that. If this is the case, just walk away.
You’re probably dodging a bullet.
and any legitimate used car dealer should be willing to furnish you with a
comprehensive vehicle history report at no cost to you. If they’re willing to
do so, it’s a fantastic sign – they’re clearly dedicated to providing you with
the details about the car you’re interested in, even if there has been some
damage to it in the past.
If a dealer is unwilling to foot the bill for Carproof or a
similar service and doesn’t give you any kind of vehicle history report, that
should be a warning sign to you. They’re unwilling to give you all of the
information required to determine whether or not you should purchase a car –
and there’s probably a reason for that. If this is the case, just walk away.
You’re probably dodging a bullet.
3. Willing To Let You
Take Cars On Extended Test Drives
Chances are that you’re not a mechanic – or even particularly
handy at fixing cars. “Popping the hood” is unlikely to give you a good idea of
a car’s performance or quality. However, you
are a driver. You know how cars should operate – and an extended test drive
is a great way to put a vehicle through its paces.
handy at fixing cars. “Popping the hood” is unlikely to give you a good idea of
a car’s performance or quality. However, you
are a driver. You know how cars should operate – and an extended test drive
is a great way to put a vehicle through its paces.
Your dealer should be willing to let you take a car on an
extended test drive – over an hour or two. During this time, you should try everything in the car. Test out all of
the entertainment features, turn signals, lights, cruise control, and other
safety features. Take the car on the highway and hit the speed limit. Go on a
country road. Take on some speed bumps. Run over some small potholes.
extended test drive – over an hour or two. During this time, you should try everything in the car. Test out all of
the entertainment features, turn signals, lights, cruise control, and other
safety features. Take the car on the highway and hit the speed limit. Go on a
country road. Take on some speed bumps. Run over some small potholes.
While you’re taking this test drive, pay attention to the
performance of the car. How does it sound? Do you smell anything funny? Are
there any features that don’t seem to be working? A long test drive is a
perfect time to find issues that you may not be able to detect when a car is
parked in the lot, so be very comprehensive, and test every aspect of the car.
performance of the car. How does it sound? Do you smell anything funny? Are
there any features that don’t seem to be working? A long test drive is a
perfect time to find issues that you may not be able to detect when a car is
parked in the lot, so be very comprehensive, and test every aspect of the car.
If your dealer won’t let you drive a car for an extended period
of time, that’s a bad sign – either they don’t care that you won’t have a full
idea of the car’s performance, or they’re trying to hide something about the
car. Either way, you should avoid these dealers.
of time, that’s a bad sign – either they don’t care that you won’t have a full
idea of the car’s performance, or they’re trying to hide something about the
car. Either way, you should avoid these dealers.
4. A Variety Of
Third-Party Lending Options
If you take nothing else away from this article, learn this
lesson. Never finance a car directly
through a dealership. Financing a car with a dealer is a clear conflict of
interest – and dealer financing often brings harsh, variable APRs, sketchy
contracts, and many other problems that can be avoided by dealing only with
third-party lenders.
lesson. Never finance a car directly
through a dealership. Financing a car with a dealer is a clear conflict of
interest – and dealer financing often brings harsh, variable APRs, sketchy
contracts, and many other problems that can be avoided by dealing only with
third-party lenders.
Your dealer should have a list of third-party preferred lenders
– but should also be willing to accept financing from your preferred lender.
Having a variety of lenders will help you negotiate a better rate on your auto
loan – and because the dealer isn’t financing the car themselves, salesmen
won’t receive kickbacks or bonuses for increasing your loan payments.
– but should also be willing to accept financing from your preferred lender.
Having a variety of lenders will help you negotiate a better rate on your auto
loan – and because the dealer isn’t financing the car themselves, salesmen
won’t receive kickbacks or bonuses for increasing your loan payments.
5. They Allow
Third-Party Mechanical Inspections
A great used car dealer will allow you to get the car inspected
by a third-party – and it’s a great idea to do so, especially if the car
history report has revealed past mechanical issues. Dropping a bit of money on
an inspection from your preferred mechanic can save you thousands of dollars in
the long run – especially if the car in question turns out to have severe
problems.
by a third-party – and it’s a great idea to do so, especially if the car
history report has revealed past mechanical issues. Dropping a bit of money on
an inspection from your preferred mechanic can save you thousands of dollars in
the long run – especially if the car in question turns out to have severe
problems.
If your dealer doesn’t allow third-party mechanical
inspections, this is a big warning sign – especially if you aren’t given a copy
of the vehicle report or mechanical history of the car. Walk away. It’s not
worth the risk.
inspections, this is a big warning sign – especially if you aren’t given a copy
of the vehicle report or mechanical history of the car. Walk away. It’s not
worth the risk.
Follow These Tips – And
Find A Great Used Car Dealer In Canada
The world of used cars can be intimidating – but it doesn’t
have to be. By following these above tips, you’ll be sure to find a fantastic
used car dealership that will offer you a great deal on a high-quality used
car.
have to be. By following these above tips, you’ll be sure to find a fantastic
used car dealership that will offer you a great deal on a high-quality used
car.
So take a look at the above tips, start shopping around, and
find the best used car dealer near you. Any dealer that has all 5 of the above
attributes is sure to have fantastic cars for sale, and will be willing to do
business in an open, honest manner that ensures you get exactly what you paid
for.
find the best used car dealer near you. Any dealer that has all 5 of the above
attributes is sure to have fantastic cars for sale, and will be willing to do
business in an open, honest manner that ensures you get exactly what you paid
for.
