Buyer Beware: How to Find the Best Used Car and Avoid Being Scammed

When looking to buy a car, you want to get the best deal, but you also want to make sure that the purchase is a safe and secure transaction. Canadian Auto News reports that Ontarians have lost hundreds of thousands of dollars trying to purchase cars from individuals and unregistered dealers, only to find out that they’ve been scammed. Avoid the urge to write a cheque to someone you’ve just met. The increasing number of scams that are occurring across Ontario has caused OMVIC, Ontario’s regulator of motor vehicle sales, to issue a direct warning to prospective car buyers in Ontario to be especially careful when purchasing a used vehicle.

Here are a few tips to make sure you’re getting not just a great deal, but also making a good, safe purchase:

1. See the car for yourself.

Spotting a shiny ad in AutoTrader.ca is good way to begin a search for a used vehicle, but be sure to go check out the car in person before making a deal. Wiring money or giving credit card information sight unseen, even to what seems to be a reputable dealer, is an easy way to be scammed.

2. Verify the vehicle’s history and ownership.

If you are considering a private sale, be sure that the name of the person selling you the car is on the registration. Registered papers can be forged, so it’s important to know what official documents look like and where to look for the registration details. An appraiser can guide you through this process.

3. Don’t feel pressured to make the purchase.

Any reputable car dealer will give you the time and space you need to make the right decision. If the person selling you a vehicle is putting a lot of pressure on you to make a quick decision, proceed carefully. This could be a sign that there is something wrong with the car or its seller.

4. If the deal seems too good to be true, it likely is.

A low price should be considered a red flag, not a good deal. Check out www.canadianblackbook.com for industry respected pricing for used car sales.

5. Purchase a vehicle from a registered Ontario dealer.

When it comes to Ontario auto sales, only purchases made from registered in-province dealers are protected by Ontario’s consumer protection laws. Avoid the possibility of losing a good chunk of change—all purchases made with a registered dealer are backed by the Motor Vehicle Dealer’s Compensation Fund, should something go wrong.

Search here for your dealer and your salesperson to confirm that they are complying with the Ministry of Consumer and Corporate Affairs by having an active dealer or salesperson licence. If the person that you are talking to about buying or leasing a vehicle is not found on the OMVIC registry, this is a clear warning that your purchase is not protected.

At Somerville National Leasing and Rentals, we believe in giving you the best price. Our no-pressure sales people will help guide you through the car purchasing process and make sure you get a great, competitive price on the best used vehicle to suit your needs.