January 17th, 2012 | 
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With the rise of the Canadian dollar, buying used vehicles from the U.S., where prices seem to be a bargain, has become the trend for many Canadians. Hurricane Katrina left practically a half million nearly destroyed vehicles in it’s wake and now many of them are being reintroduced into the shop and sold out of state, many being shipped to Canada. To ensure that you are not buying a lemon, here are some easy steps to take.
Private Used vehicle Sales
Dealer Tire
1. Why are you Selling? – Ask the seller why they are selling the vehicle. Put them on the defence so they have to come up with a quick answer, if they hesitate they may have something to hide.
2. Proof-of-Service – Ask for all the maintenance records, proof of oil changes and tune-ups. If they don’t have it, for all you know the oil has never been changed.
3. Known Problems – Ask the seller to point out all known defects and problems. When doing your own inspection if you find distinct problems that the seller did not mention there might be more wrong with the vehicle then they are letting on.
4. Rebuilt Junkers – Look at all the seams in the car, the gaps should be the same distance apart at the top of a panel as they are at the bottom. Uneven gaps or small dents can advise emergency damage. The paint should match on all panels, and beware of body-kits and custom paint jobs. They may look cool, but they could be hiding damage to the chassis below. Look for over spray on plastic parts, around lights, mirrors and edges of the machine bay.
5. Stains, Leaks & Puddles – Look for stains and leaks in the driveway and garage.
Rust colored stains indicate a leaking radiator.
Black or Brown puddles and stains indicate an oil or transmission fluid leak.
Purple puddles indicate transmission fluid leaks.
Remember taking the used car to get a permissible inspection by a mechanic prior to purchasing it is the most productive way of ensuring you won’t get stuck with a lemon.
Used vehicle Dealers
Dealers may also be purchasing used vehicles from the U.S., and may even unknowingly be selling a car that has had flood damage. Before you even leave the lot here are some steps to see if the vehicle has had any flood damage.
Flood Damage – Look for rust on:
door hinges
spare tire
crowbar
jack
metal holdings under the seats
If you find any rusting in these places, it may have had comprehensive water damage and it is best to move on.
Remember when going through a dealership it is always best ensure you are buying your used car from a reputable dealer.
Still not sure if you are getting a lemon? Carproof.ca offers faultless reporting from all Canadian jurisdictions for title and emergency history. Title facts from the U.S., and odometer readings from auction records is also offered when available.
Avoid That Used vehicle Rip-off
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