Tips for buying cars, and avoiding terrible ones: LEMON Aid - Tips for driving a hard (used) bargain

Do Your Research

Like years ago, private car sales remain popular via Auto Trader and newspaper classifieds. Even more popular though are online sales through sites like Kijiji. The Internet, however, is a double-edged sword, as it’s also a playground for unscrupulous sellers to take advantage of unsuspecting buyers—stories of odometer rollbacks and passing off vehicle write-offs are enough to scare anyone off the private sale route.

Thankfully, consumers today have an ally in the Alberta Motor Vehicle Industry Council (AMVIC), a non-profit group that aims to provide a fair marketplace for consumers and businesses. With 10,000 licensed businesses (car dealerships and repair shops) and 7,000 sales people under its watch, AMVIC provides eyes and ears to weed out activity that doesn’t comply with the province’s Fair Trading Act and ensures that all vehicles come with a mechanical fitness assessment.

A Little Now Could Save Thousands Later

“Unfortunately, there are no regulations governing private vehicle sales—it’s strictly buyer beware,” says Laura Lowe, AMVIC Communications and Education manager. “And there are curbers—unlicensed sales people posing as private sellers that can confuse the buying situation even more. For peace of mind, we recommend people buy a used car through an AMVIC-licensed establishment.”

While Lowe says who and where to buy from is part of the equation, consumers still need to be good shoppers, researching a product and price range, investigating the best financing options and getting an independent vehicle inspection before buying. “It’s worth spending a little extra now, rather than potentially thousands down the road, or having a vehicle disappear from your driveway because it had a lien against it,” she says. “Buyers can access a vehicle’s entire history—it takes the guessing and wondering out of the used car purchase.”

There Will Always Be Another Car

Bob McCormick, a veteran car seller of 40 years, much of that with Ron Hodgson Chevrolet Buick GMC in St. Albert, says buying a used car is stressful for many, but it doesn’t have to be. He offers a few tips to ensure a positive car buying experience, starting with deciding what type of vehicle best suits a buyer’s needs and lifestyle—a car, truck, SUV—and what the budget will allow.

“Most people finance a vehicle, so compare your own bank’s rate with the dealership’s, and don’t spend more than 20 percent of your monthly net income on it,” he says. “Trust your gut—if you’re not comfortable with a negotiation or a salesperson, walk away. There will always be another car.”

Price Is Important but Vehicle Condition Is Paramount

McCormick also advises to shop near where you live (for easy access to future servicing and repair work) and to listen to good word of mouth from friends and neighbours. “Buyers like to be protected, so they should make a one-to-two-hour appointment with a salesperson to allow time to check a car’s service record, test drive on city and highway roads and feel comfortable and confident with negotiations,” he says. “Money is an important element, but the condition of the vehicle is paramount.”

Armed with knowledge about the car and your own needs, you won’t need to lose sleep over that first used car purchase. t8n

Did You Know? If you buy a vehicle from an AMVIC licensed business and it goes out of business, there’s a Consumer Compensation Fund that may be able to help. Consumers can make a claim for up to $25,000 from the fund, now at $4 million. See amvic.org for more program details.