| Buying a used car can be a stressful and demanding | | | | has less risk knowing the car was properly inspected. |
| task. Generally speaking, a vehicle purchase can be | | | | Although there is a tendency to skip this and cross |
| one of the largest financial commitments we make. So | | | | your fingers, in many instances the warranty can pay |
| how do you know you’re making the right | | | | for itself with just one repair. If this puts you over your |
| decision? How do you know that you’re buying a | | | | budget either increase it or select a less expensive |
| good car? Before you purchase, it is smart to do your | | | | vehicle. |
| homework and ensure that you get some, if not all, of | | | | PRIVATE or REPUTABLE DEALER? |
| the following points accomplished. | | | | The majority of vehicles sold in the private market |
| Make sure that the vehicle you are buying is free of | | | | may have serious mechanical deficiencies and |
| liens (monies owed against the vehicle) and major | | | | because the seller needs to maximize the amount of |
| accidents. To ensure this you can check the liens with | | | | money for their vehicle, it may not be up to date on |
| BC Lien search and get a vehicle damage report from | | | | servicing etc. |
| ICBC. | | | | Make sure that you get a mechanical inspection |
| Because these reports are limited to BC this may not | | | | before you hand over any monies as well as pay for |
| show you everything you need to know. You may | | | | a report and check the liens. Although this takes time, |
| choose to use a company called that will give you an | | | | effort and money it may be the best $200 you’ll |
| individual report from every single province in one | | | | ever spend. |
| convenient report. This will cost you approximately | | | | Although a similar vehicle at a dealership may sell for |
| $60. | | | | an extra $500, there is additional value and peace of |
| Make sure that the vehicle you are about to purchase | | | | mind built into that price. |
| has been mechanically inspected. Many dealers do this | | | | Reputable dealers have their name and reputation |
| in-house for convenience. I would strongly recommend | | | | riding on every sale. Most of them will have an |
| a third party inspection done by someone who has no | | | | in-house mechanical inspection to show you, some |
| business in repairing vehicles as this can pose conflict | | | | even go beyond that and have a BCAA inspection to |
| of interests. | | | | get an independent view, even better. |
| The most reputable source for this is BCAA who | | | | There are a handful of dealers who take their |
| does not have any interest in repairing vehicles, just | | | | business more seriously than others, focusing on the |
| providing inspections. This will be the best money spent. | | | | customer experience. |
| A BCAA report will set you back approximately $139. | | | | These dealers will repair all deficiencies found on the |
| All used vehicles will have flaws that are expected. | | | | inspection report not just the safety issues. Their |
| However, it makes sense to pay more for a vehicle | | | | safety reports will come from their own shop and in |
| that has had some of the larger issues recently taken | | | | some exceptional cases from BCAA as well. |
| care of. | | | | These dealers will also have not just the ICBC report |
| Things such as a dealer recommended service, tires | | | | and BC lien search done but also a report for you to |
| that are 50% or better, brakes that are about 40% or | | | | see. This not only adds value to the vehicle but saves |
| better and any deficiencies that the mechanical | | | | you time and money on additional inspections, repairs |
| inspection found. If these are not done, it can add up | | | | etc. |
| very quickly costing you as much as an additional | | | | This means that everything on the vehicle is done for |
| $2,000 over what you must pay for the vehicle. | | | | you up front and you can be confident that you’re |
| An extended warranty is always a good idea. If | | | | driving away with a car or truck that you don’t |
| purchased from a dealer at the same time as the car, | | | | have to worry about. |
| there may be a discount as the warranty company | | | | |