For used-car buyers, dealerships offer security

Ron Loveys

TADA PRESIDENT

Buying a used vehicle should provide years of driving pleasure.

But getting maximum value out of one requires a little homework and diligence on the part of the buyer.

Basically, there are two options when buying used. You can either buy from a franchised new-car dealership (or registered used-car dealer). Or you can buy privately.

If you choose to buy from a new-car dealership, expect to pay a slight premium over a similar vehicle purchased privately. But a dealership provides many benefits that are not available when buying from friends, relatives and strangers.

First, dealerships choose the cream of the crop to display on their lots. They search far and wide to find reconditioned vehicles that represent the highest value for their customers.

Dealerships ensure that used vehicles are fully certified and in good operating condition (mechanically and physically). And if any problems occur after you purchase a vehicle, a dealership will be quick to address them.

Another benefit of buying from a dealership is the due diligence conducted on the vehicles. Dealers check for liens, accident histories and mechanical deficiencies.

If mechanical or collision repairs are required, then a dealership will conduct the repairs before offering the vehicle for sale.

Many dealerships and manufacturers also offer used vehicle programs that provide buyers with added value and peace of mind. Extended warranty protection, roadside assistance and special finance rates are some of those programs.

If you choose to buy a used vehicle privately, however, it's buyer beware. Be particularly wary of unscrupulous sellers, known within the industry as "curbsiders."

Curbsiders prey on unsuspecting buyers by selling vehicles that have been lost, stolen, damaged, or whose odometers have been tampered with. In any case, these sellers operate outside the law.

Vehicles sold by curbsiders are often not what they appear to be.

By the time a buyer discovers a problem with a vehicle, the curbsider is long gone, with your money, and good luck tracking him down.

To report a curbsider, contact the Ontario Motor Vehicle Industry Council at 1-800-943-6002 or by email at nocurbs@omvic.on.ca.

Whenever a used vehicle changes ownership in Ontario, the seller must provide the buyer with a Used Vehicle Information Package (UVIP). A UVIP contains information relevant to the vehicle, including a full description of the vehicle, its registration history, odometer information, any outstanding debts still owing, retail sales tax requirements and more.

For more information about the UVIP, visit the provincial government website at www.mto.gov.on .ca and follow the links.

Whether you plan to purchase from a dealership or privately, it's always a good idea to know something about the model you're looking to buy.

For instance, insurance premiums, fuel economy and operating costs should be factored into your decision.

Plenty of information is available in classified sections of newspapers, on automotive websites and in consumer reports.

You should research the market value of the make and model you're interested in. As well, seek out professional reviews and customer satisfaction ratings.

If you aren't a car person, then bring along a friend who knows cars or an auto mechanic to inspect the vehicle. A trained eye will be able to identify potential problems and can advise you about a vehicle's true condition.

Don't hurry the process. Your need for a vehicle may be immediate, but take the time to research your purchase carefully before committing your dollars.

This column represents views of TADA. Email: president@tada.ca or visit www.tada.ca.

Ron Loveys, president of the Toronto Automobile Dealers Association, is a new-car dealer in the GTA.

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