Buying a used car in Calgary: a guide
Here’s what you need to know when looking at cars for sale in Calgary:
Purchasing from a private seller
Perhaps you’re browsing through Kijiji in Alberta for cars or Autotrader. When you find one you’re interested in, consider doing the following:
Prepare to negotiate
Consult a resource like Canadian Black Book so that you can discover what cars of a similar make and model are selling for. This will allow you to negotiate, as private sellers typically inflate their asking price in anticipation of this.
Obtain a vehicle history report
Services such as CARFAX can provide you with an accident and service history and lien-search results (so that you know no money is still owed on the car).
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Check the odometer and tires
If the car is only a few years old but has a lot of kilometres, that’s a warning you might face mechanical problems soon. Also, ensure the tires still have a lot of tread on them..
Have your mechanic check it out
Private sellers should be willing to allow your mechanic to examine the vehicle.
Purchasing from a dealership
With a dealership, you can skip a number of steps. By law, in Alberta, they must have a licensed journeyman technician complete a mechanical fitness assessment of all used vehicles on their lot. They will also handle the paperwork, including obtaining a license plate or providing you with a copy of a vehicle history report.
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