Great looking
Latest technology
Good resale value
Affordable interest rate
Warranty
Better fuel economy
More expensive than a used car
Higher insurance costs
Depreciation as soon as you buy
A better deal over the medium to long term
Easy-to-find parts
Lower insurance costs
Need to look into the car’s history
Mechanical inspection is essential
Breakage and repairs to be expected
Can be less safe
Made your choice? Perfect! Now read on for all the advice you’ll need to purchase the car you have chosen:
You’re more interested in a new car than a used car. This section is for you. Read through it and learn the steps to be sure to get the right car… the right way!
Decide between purchasing and leasing
Take a comprehensive test drive
It’s new: it looks great!
A new vehicle often has all the latest technology… nothing like the dashboard in your parent’s old beater (not to mention the cassette player)!
The higher trade-in value will help lower the payments on your next car.
You can benefit from a lower interest rate.
The warranty will protect you from any problems—and with a new car, you can expect not to have any for a long time.
Newer models are usually more fuel-efficient.
The price will be higher than a used car of similar or higher model range. Beware of hidden costs! When buying, several costs (delivery charges, among others) will apply. The dealer is required by law, however, to include these costs in the advertised price. On the other hand, they don’t have to include the taxes. Something to think about!
It often costs more to insure a new car than it does a used car.
You’ll have to deal with the car’s depreciation: it will lose up to 30% of its value as soon as you drive it off the lot.
When acquiring a new car, you have two choices: buying or leasing. First off, it’s important to realize that in either case, buying or leasing comes with maintenance, inspection and insurance costs. This section lists the pros and cons of the two scenarios. Before going into detail, have a look at our comparison below. A practical overview to help you make up your mind!
Trade in / trade up at any time
No constraints on extended travel outside Quebec
Possible lower monthly costs on your next car
Possible lower interest rate
Higher monthly payments than with a lease
Loss if resale value is poor
Periodic vehicle replacement
Lower monthly payments
Reduced or spread-out tax payments
Lease-end buyout possible
Expensive over-kilometre charges
Penalty to break the lease
Possible higher interest rates than with a purchase
Possible constraints on extended travel outside Quebec
Possible end-of-lease charges
When comparing these options, does one stand out? If you still can’t make up your mind, the next section should help with your final decision.
You wouldn’t buy a $100 pair of shoes without trying them on, right? Before spending a considerably higher amount on a new car, a road test is a must. Read our advice on how to prepare for the test drive, including things to look for before driving and once you’re on the road.
(Video in French)
Map out a varied route at least 10km long. Don’t be content with a quick trip around the neighbourhood. The ideal route should include straightaways, hills, curves, etc., ideally under various driving situations, both in town and on a secondary road.
Take a friend with you. Aside from giving a second opinion, they may notice details that you miss.
Get into the car: get settled in the seat and adjust it to a comfortable driving position. Do the settings work for you?
Adjust the mirrors. From your optimum driving position, is visibility good in all directions?
Familiarize yourself with the dashboard components. Are all controls within easy reach?
Ask your buddy to do a walkaround while you turn on the lights: is everything working, including the turn signals and brake lights?
Does the gear lever move easily and accurately (and without friction in the case of a manual gearbox)? Do the gears change smoothly, with no “jolts”?
Start by accelerating slowly. When you are in a safe place, give the engine more gas and see what kind of reaction you get from under the hood.
Does the engine performance seem acceptable? Do you notice any suspicious vibrations at specific speeds?
Are you test driving an electric car? Your experience will be different—and quiet! Note that you should not feel any levelling-off during acceleration.
Does the steering wheel turn easily? Make sure it’s not too heavy and there is no blockage.
Try the car on a bumpy or poorly maintained road. Why? Because you need to put the suspension to the test and see how it responds.
Do bumps and holes in the road seem “magnified” when you roll over them?
Do you hear any metallic “clunking”? Do you notice any vibration from under the vehicle?
The feeling you get braking will vary from one car to another. Some brake pedals feel stiff; others not so much. All should have one point in common: quick response with no grinding or squealing.
Do you feel any strange pulsating? Newer cars are often equipped with anti-lock brakes (ABS). If so, under emergency braking, you will feel the pedal pulsate rapidly under your foot: this is perfectly normal.
Do the brakes respond well? Do you feel any vibrations during normal braking?
When you apply the brakes, does the car have a tendency to pull to one side, or does the front end drop?
Do you notice any suspicious noises coming from the body (e.g., creaking, whistling, banging)?
If there’s a little something that bothers you, ask yourself whether you could you put up with it on a daily basis.
You’ve decided on a used car rather than a new car. Before heading off to buy, we recommend that you follow these four steps. They’ll help you make a wise choice and avoid unpleasant surprises.
Thinking of buying a used electric vehicle? Consult our buying guide to make the right choice.
Before taking it on a test drive, you should first have a good look at the car you have chosen. But remember, your “good look” is no substitute for a mechanical inspection before you buy.
Having a good look at the car will tell you a lot about its true condition and, in turn, help you decide whether to continue with the purchase process or stop and move on. Don’t worry! You don’t need to be an automotive expert to examine the car properly. All you need to do is follow all the steps listed below.
When showing a car, some dealers will meet the buyer in a public place (a parking lot, for example) rather than at their place of business. If you buy from this kind of seller, you’ll have little legal recourse should you have any problems. These “fake private sellers” work without permits and—as buyers often realize too late—don’t disclose all the information they may have, including their real contact information!
If the car is being sold by a dealer, take a good look at the window sticker, which is mandatory. It must be clearly visible, as it is part of the contract. This sticker must include:
A description of the car, including its VIN (vehicle identification number). Important: Take note of the VIN: you’ll need it to consult the car’s history, the Register of Personal and Movable Real Rights (RDPRM, in French), the maintenance history, etc. Consulting the Register of Personal and Movable Real Rights will tell you whether the car has been given as a guaranty or is under a lien. For more information, see Do all the necessary checks.
The odometer reading indicated and the actual reading, if they differ.
A special note if the car has been used as a rental car, taxi, police car, etc.
The category attributable to the car depending on its odometer reading and model year (for possible warranties).
Ideally, check the condition of the windshield in sunlight; this will make it easier to see if it is damaged.
Does the windshield have any starring or cracks?
Has it been damaged by worn or faulty windshield wipers?
Can you see any traces of wear that impede its transparency (and therefore your vision)?
Check the condition of the windshield wipers. If they are winter wipers, the rubber should not show cracks or damage.
What condition are the headlight lenses in? Are they worn? Is maintenance needed?
Now that you’ve seen it close up, does the car still seem to be in good shape?
Good enough that you’re still thinking about buying or leasing it if the road test is conclusive?
If you’re hesitating between this model and another, check them both out.
You wouldn’t buy a $100 pair of shoes without trying them on, right? Before spending a considerably higher amount on a used car, a road test is a must. Read our advice on how to prepare for the test drive, including things to look for before driving and once you’re on the road.
(Video in French)
A warranty that’s still valid or a low odometer reading is a good thing, but it doesn’t always mean that a car is in good shape. Or that it’s right for you! Only a test drive will allow you to make such a personal choice.
Map out a varied route at least 10km long. Don’t be content with a quick trip around the neighbourhood. The ideal route should include straightaways, hills, curves, etc., ideally under various driving situations, both in town and on a secondary road
Take a friend with you. Aside from giving a second opinion, they may notice details that you miss.
Get into the car: get settled in the seat and adjust it to a comfortable driving position. Do the settings work for you?
Adjust the mirrors. From your optimum driving position, is visibility good in all directions?
Familiarize yourself with the dashboard components. Are all controls within easy reach?
Ask your buddy to do a walkaround while you turn on the lights: is everything working, including the turn signals and brake lights?
Ask the dealer to let you start the car yourself. Not only is this step part of the test drive, but the car may have certain issues that won’t be apparent if the car is already warmed up.
Is the engine easy to start? Do you hear any strange noises (e.g., clicking, vibrations, knocking)?
With your buddy’s help, make sure there is no suspicious (e.g., blue) smoke coming out of the tailpipe at startup.
Turn the radio off so you can more easily listen for suspicious noises at startup and shutdown.
Does the gear lever move easily and accurately (and without friction in the case of a manual gearbox)? Do the gears change smoothly, with no “jolts”?
Start by accelerating slowly. When you are in a safe place, give the engine more gas and see what kind of reaction you get from under the hood.
Does the engine performance seem acceptable? Do you notice any suspicious vibrations at specific speeds?
Are you test driving an electric car? Your experience will be different—and quiet! Note that you should not feel any levelling-off during acceleration.
When you turn the wheel, listen: you shouldn’t hear any noises.
Does the steering wheel turn easily? Make sure it’s not too heavy and there is no blockage.
On a level, flat roadway, when driving at a constant speed, does the car wander excessively from one side to the other?
Try the car on a bumpy or poorly maintained road. Why? Because you need to put the suspension to the test and see how it responds.
Do bumps and holes in the road seem “magnified” when you roll over them?
Do you hear any metallic “clunking”? Do you notice any vibration from under the vehicle?
The feeling you get braking will vary from one car to another. Some brake pedals feel stiff; others not so much. All should have one point in common: quick response with no grinding or squealing.
Do you feel any strange pulsating? If the car is five years old or less, it is most likely equipped with anti-lock brakes. If so, under emergency braking, you will feel the pedal pulsate rapidly under your foot: this is perfectly normal.
Do the brakes respond well? Do you feel any vibrations during normal braking?
When you apply the brakes, does the car have a tendency to pull to one side, or does the front end drop?
Does the parking brake work properly?
Do you notice any suspicious noises coming from the body (e.g., creaking, whistling, banging)?
If there’s a little something that bothers you, ask yourself whether you could you put up with it on a daily basis. Is it something that’s likely to worsen, or be expensive to fix?
Take your notes with you when you take the vehicle for a pre-purchase inspection. And before that inspection, test drive at least one other car of the same model—and ideally the same year—and then take the better of the two to be inspected.
A used car has as many stories as it does kilometres on the clock. Fortunately for you, there are several ways to find out what it’s been through before you buy. Follow these methods to the letter to avoid any nasty surprises!
Have a look at the maintenance log, as well as the invoices and the odometer readings on them. Do they show a logical progression? Any anomalies? Unless the odometer is broken, if the reading is lower now than it was a year ago, something’s up!
For around $10, the SAAQ will provide you with its record on the car you’ve got your eye on. This will confirm the identity of the previous owner (if the seller is a dealer) and how many owners there have been in all.
Important: Check for notes in the record that say “reconstruit” (“rebuilt”) or “gravement accidenté” (“serious accident”).
Where to access the record:
At a CAA-Quebec vehicle registration centre
At a SAAQ service centre
Online: go to Dossier d’un véhicule at the SAAQ website
The Register of Personal and Movable Real Rights (RDPRM, available in French), will show you if the car is free of debts.
Important: If you buy a car that an individual has not finished paying for, the creditor can have it seized. Worse, you’ll be liable for the balance of the payments… for a car that you no longer have!
To consult the register, visit the RDPRM website.
Companies like CARFAX Canada sell vehicle history reports for $40 to $60. You’ll find out about any accidents, the odometer reading after each event, etc. Note, however, that not every event will necessarily be listed (e.g., an accident not reported to the insurance company).
Good to know: Many used car dealers will provide these documents at no charge. But ordering one yourself is always the best bet, to be sure of getting the most up-to-date information.
Can you really trust a used car salesman? To find out, visit the page Get information about merchant at the l’Office de la protection du consommateur (OPC) website. Check whether the merchant’s profile contains any complaints from consumers.
Good to know: If the seller has no profile on the OPC site, it means they are working without a permit. Don’t buy the vehicle.
Seal of approval: If the dealer is a member of the AMVOQ or the CCAQ, you can be assured that they have not only a permit with the OPC, but that they comply with a code of conduct.
To find out whether the original manufacturer’s warranty is still in effect, ask the seller for the car’s warranty booklet. You can also visit the manufacturer’s website to be sure.
Are both keys to the car available? Be sure, because ordering a new key for a late-model vehicle can be expensive. You shouldn’t have to pay extra for this basic accessory.
When you are ready to buy a used car, one essential step remains: a professional inspection. This section explains why still step is important, provides some advice on inspection, and profiles the services offered by CAA-Quebec.
Don’t take any risks! Neither a road test nor a visual inspection will reveal all the weaknesses of a used car. The seller is likely to boast that the car is in great condition but, in practice, they can’t know the vehicle’s weak points.
Before negotiating the final price and the details of the transaction, it is in your best interest to ask for an independent mechanical inspection. This inspection, which should cost around $100 (sometimes more) can be done by any of CAA-Quebec’s autorized Vehicle Inspection Centres, at a CAA Approved Auto Repair Services location, by a mechanic you trust, or even at a dealership (but not the one selling the car).
If a dealer or a private seller claims the car has been inspected, you need to see written proof: is it a recent, detailed report from a repair shop independent from the seller? If not, you’re better off having your own inspection done. It’s far better to have all the facts before the transaction.
If the vehicle is in good shape, you’ll have your confirmation. And if repairs are required, you can use that fact as a bargaining chip to negotiate a better price.
To have a professional inspection done, take note of these tips:
Carefully choose the car you take for inspection. If there are too many things wrong with it, you’ll have to cancel the transaction, find another car, and then have it inspected as well… you have better things to do with your time and money.
Since you’ve already done a road test, remember to let the mechanic know about anything you may have noticed; this will make their job easier or lead them in the right direction.
Ask the mechanic for a detailed inspection report, which you can use, if need be, when negotiating the final price.
At a CAA-Quebec's autorized Vehicle Inspection centre, you can choose among different types of inspection, each culminating in a comprehensive report that will be given to you. The choices include Express Route and Maxi Route inspection.
This partial inspection is quicker and more affordable than Maxi Route, covering around 50 points. This is enough to get a good idea of the condition of the car you’re thinking of buying.
This comprehensive inspection covers up to 180 inspection points. It caters to consumers who want as much information as possible about the condition of a vehicle. It’s worth considering: if the car you’re interested in is selling for several thousand dollars and it’s not really worth it, a Maxi Route inspection will protect you from a bad deal.
A Maxi Route inspection includes, among other things:
A computerized bench test of engine performance
A visual inspection of the car
Verification of the bodywork
Wheel removal and brake inspection
Choosing a used car means that you’ll have to live with a few worn parts, obviously. Now that you’ve had a mechanical inspection done and you know the true condition of the vehicle, is it still worth your while to buy it?
If you decide to go ahead, does the inspection report give you some bargaining power to lower the price?