Used car buyers' worst enemies
Buying a used car is often an advantageous solution. Of course, you have to do your homework and beware of certain pitfalls. Otherwise, you could end up spending a lot more money than you originally thought.
If automotive experts like The Car Guide and CAA-Quebec, workshop specialists and discussion forums are good allies, what are a buyer's “enemies”? Here are a few examples...
Lack of information
When it comes to used vehicles, buying without properly evaluating your choices and researching the vehicle and its history is certainly the worst thing you can do. Upstream research is essential to ensure the good condition and reliability of the model. This includes, for example, the Carfax report, maintenance documents and Transport Canada's safety recall database. A second or third opinion may also be useful.
Misleading information
Information is one thing, but it must be accurate and complete. It can happen that an ad is misleading, the odometer has been tampered with or the seller lacks transparency. That's why it's important to inspect the vehicle yourself first, test drive it properly and then, ideally, take it to a trusted independent workshop for a detailed inspection. The buyer has every right and duty to do so.
Hidden defects
All buyers need to know what they're getting into, of course. In Quebec, the Civil Code requires both private and professional sellers to declare hidden defects in used vehicles. Do business with an individual or a seller you trust, and don't neglect any of the inspection and verification steps described above.
Legal aspects of the sale
Beyond the vehicle itself, there's the whole aspect of the transaction. Among the procedures to be aware of, one that too many people forget is to consult the Register of Personal and Movable Real Rights (RDPRM) to ensure that the used vehicle does not carry any debt or charge in the name of the person selling the vehicle. Indeed, if the vehicle is still associated with a debt or lien, the buyer runs the risk of having the vehicle seized, even if the purchase was made recently and legally.
