Buying a car is a huge financial commitment. As such, no one wants to end up with buyer’s remorse due to unexpected repairs, or realizing soon after purchase that the vehicle has undisclosed accident damage. Ontario’s consumer protection laws requires registered dealers to disclose if a vehicle requires repairs to major components or if it has been involved in a collision that resulted in more than $3,000 damage.

But these requirements DON’T apply to private sellers. When buying privately it’s caveat emptor; if something goes wrong with your private purchase, you’re pretty much on your own with little recourse other than to sue civilly. So, if you choose to buy privately, be informed, exercise due diligence and take extra precautions.

9 Tips For Buying a Car Privately

1. Ask questions: how long was the vehicle owned? Are there maintenance records? Why are they selling?


2. Confirm the vehicle is registered to the seller; check ID and vehicle ownership. The names should match.


3. Take a thorough test drive—not just a quick drive around the block.


4. Check for any accident history: purchase and review a vehicle history report like CARFAX Canada.


5. Thoroughly review the Used Vehicle Information Package (UVIP), which a private seller is required by law to provide. UVIPs provide the names of previous owners in Ontario and historical odometer readings.


6. Ensure there are no liens (for outstanding loans/debts) on the vehicle or take steps to ensure any lien is removed. Lien information is usually available on the UVIP or CARFAX Canada report.


7. Have the vehicle inspected by a trusted mechanic before purchase. This will help identify problems the seller failed to disclose or was unaware of.


8. Avoid cash purchases. Issue the cheque to the registered owner of the vehicle.


9. Request a receipt that includes the seller’s information and the actual price paid.



Remember: consumers are ONLY protected by OMVIC and Ontario’s consumer protection laws when buying from a registered dealer; if a private purchaser encounters a problem their only recourse is to sue civilly.




Beware of Curbsiders!




Consumers who decide to purchase a vehicle privately may be the target of a curbsider. Curbsiders are illegal, unlicensed dealers. They often pose as private sellers, though some operate from small automotive businesses (repair shops, rental companies, etc.).




Curbsiders not only misrepresent themselves—they often misrepresent the vehicles they sell: many are previous write-offs with undisclosed accident repairs or are odometer-tampered.




These illegal sellers make the vehicle marketplace treacherous for private purchasers. So, before you purchase a car privately, do your homework and learn how to spot the telltale signs of a curbsider.