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Choose a car

Identify your needs

Before buying a car, identify your needs and determine the price you are willing to pay. Here are some questions and answers to get you started:

1. How many kilometres will I drive in a year?

The answer to this question could influence your decision whether to buy or lease a car. Lease agreements generally include mileage limits, beyond which you pay a penalty.

2. Will I drive mostly in the city or on highways?

Consult the technical specifications of the car, available on the manufacturer's website, to review its fuel efficiency in the city and on highways. You can also find more information about this on the Natural Resources Canada website.

3. How long do I plan to keep this car?

If you plan to change cars after 3 years, then it might be better for you to lease rather than buy.

4. What price am I prepared to pay?

Review your budget before buying. By including the cost of a car with your other expenses, you will know how much you can spend. Don't forget that driving a car involves many expenses that are not always easy to predict, such as gas, maintenance, tires, insurance, financing costs and depreciation.

Learn more about setting a budget.

Choosing a new car

Consult car sale websites

Websites like Autonet.ca and Auto123.com have tools that allow you to research new cars, define the characteristics you are looking for and compare the prices of different models.

Compare the incentives

Find out about rebates and other incentives offered by manufacturers and dealerships.

Find out about the warranties offered

All new vehicles come with a basic warranty of 3 years or 60,000 km. Some manufacturers may also offer more advantageous warranties, such as 4 years or 80,000 km, or that include the drive train, antipollution warranty, anticorrosion warranty, restraint system warranty or safety features warranty.

Choosing a used car

Check out used car dealers' websites

There are many websites where used car dealers present the cars they have in stock. Some dealers even provide an e-mail address for you to ask questions or book a test drive. Some of these sites also list cars for sale privately by owner.

Inspect the vehicle

Always inspect the car in daylight.

• Check for signs of wear on the trim, the seats, and the brake and gas pedals
• Closely examine the exterior to detect any irregularities in the chassis and for signs of accident
• Ask for a written report of any accident
• Take it for a test drive to check the steering, brakes, etc.

Have the vehicle inspected by your mechanic before purchasing it, especially in cases where the seller is the previous owner and not a dealership, since you will have limited recourse if any problems arise after the transaction has been concluded.

Find out the relative value of the vehicle

If the asking price is significantly below the car's market value, find out why. Sellers won't want to sell a car worth $10,000 for only $1,000 unless there is a problem.

Look into the vehicle's history

This step is easy and worth the cost. You can purchase a vehicle history report (accidents, import/export, registration, etc.) for about $50 from sites like CarProof.com.

Consult the Registre des droit personnels et réels mobiliers (RDPRM) to find out if the vehicle has been used as collateral or if it is still linked to any debt so you don't take on the seller's debt.