How can I find out the history of a used vehicle?

Reliability is an important criterion for many used car buyers. Each brand has its particularities and faults, but the maintenance carried out by the owners also plays a major role.

So when you're shopping, it's a good idea to find out about the history of the model you're considering. How do you go about it? There are several different ways.

First of all, if you're dealing with a private individual, ask as many questions as possible about how the vehicle has been used, any breakages or fender-benders it has suffered, and any parts that have been replaced or repaired. Don't forget to ask about maintenance. The seller should be able to demonstrate this by presenting statements and invoices.

Next, a check of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) can be useful to validate specific information such as year, make, model and where the vehicle was manufactured. The VIN is usually found on the inside of the driver's door and on the windshield. Enter it into a free decoding tool and you're done.

At a car dealership, an inspection report will have been completed before the vehicle is put up for sale. Find out about it, and don't just rely on the promise that the vehicle has passed a hundred-point inspection or more. The devil is in the details! Ideally, you should choose a model that the dealer is already familiar with, as it has been serviced on-site.

In any case, it's wise to take the steps to obtain a vehicle history report from Carfax Canada. We've already explained what a Carfax report is, how much it costs and whether you should rely on it. Basically, you'll find out if the vehicle you're interested in has been in an accident, what maintenance has been done and documented, estimates and repair costs, and if there's a lien registered against the vehicle. On the Otogo site, for example, a box with a link to the right of each vehicle inventory page enables you to consult the report or request one.

Speaking of ownership rights, another VIN search, this time on the website of the Registre des droits personnels et réels mobiliers (RDPRM), will confirm that the vehicle is free of all debts before you buy it. Because beyond mechanical problems, you don't want to end up with the previous owner's debts!