Thinking about purchasing a new vehicle? There's certainly a lot of appeal to having your own wheels. Nothing gives you freedom quite like being able to jump in your car and hit the road, and it's a world away from the crowds and inconvenience of public transit.
While it's always super exciting to go car shopping, there's also a lot to consider in order to find the best vehicle for you. As soon as you start comparing makes, models, years, mileage and more, the whole process can quickly become overwhelming.
While looking for a new ride would have once meant a trip to a dealer and test driving several cars to figure out which one suits you best, now there's an easier way to purchase vehicles: online.
Buying a car through an online marketplace has become increasingly popular over the last few years. In fact, a recent report by Kijiji Autos found that more than half of Canadians surveyed would be comfortable finding their next vehicle online, and 73% said they'd undertake the online car-buying process alone.
If you've never ventured into the world of online car buying, Kijiji Autos can help make it easy. Once you decide to shop for your next car online, these tips and tricks will help make sure you get it right.
Always Do Your Homework
When it comes to investing in a brand new ride, 77% of Canadians in Kijiji Autos' study said they would be most confident researching vehicle types and costs online.
A great place to start is Kijiji Autos' model overview page, where it's easy to research vehicles by budget, size, seats, fuel efficiency and other features. Browsing through vehicles here will help you learn the pros, cons, ratings and specs of your desired car. You'll also get answers to any common questions you may have, like what's the overall safety rating and what the heck is a trim?
Just like any other type of online shopping, doing your homework will help make sure you're happy with the final purchase.
Get Advice From The Experts
If you're not comfortable purchasing a vehicle online, it can be helpful to get advice you can trust. Are you questioning what information you should know beforehand? Or maybe you're wondering what steps are actually required for purchasing a car online. Do you know how to properly inspect your vehicle?
One place you can get buying advice from is Kijiji Autos' Advice section. Under the category "buying," you can get answers to tons of questions you may have about purchasing a car online. Their Dealer Advice section in particular can help if you have any worries about shopping with a dealer.
Know Your Must-Have Car Features
Everyone has features in mind when shopping for their next car. Do you want those cozy seat warmers for the cold winters? A sunroof window? How about satellite radio? Before you start searching for vehicles, list out what features are important to you, and then sort them into features you believe are essential, and what you consider "nice to have."
Knowing what you're looking for will help you find the right car in the right price range for you. And if you're purchasing from Kijiji Autos, you can easily filter your searches with these features to make the process easier.
Ask For A Vehicle-History Report, Or Get One Yourself
If you're purchasing a used car, you should be aware of everything that car has been through — from accidents and major repairs to routine maintenance. But not many people know how to find this information. According to Kijiji Autos' recent report, 35% of Canadians said they were not confident about finding out the history of a car on their own.
Thankfully, there are tools available for Canadians, so you can trust the car you're purchasing is in good shape. Comparing prices when buying vehicles can often be time consuming and challenging. Some makes and models have different features, and then you have to consider each vehicle's available history, which is why Kijiji Autos has a built-in Instant Price Analysis feature with data provided by CARFAX Canada to identify how the listed price compares to the average sale price.
Sellers will often include a CARFAX report with their listing, but if it isn't provided, you can easily order one online for a few dollars. After sharing the vehicle's identification number, you'll receive an overview of the car's entire history including how many owners it has had and if it's been involved in any accidents.
Consider Doing All Of Your Financing & Purchasing Online
Once you've discovered the car or truck right for you, send a message to the dealer and connect on how to book your test drive. Some dealers are even offering online purchasing, which is a great option for those that want to get a new or used car without leaving the comfort of their home.
For Kijiji Autos, you'll be able to see on the ad whether the dealer in question offers this service. To learn more, there are tons of online resources on Kijiji Autos that explain the difference between financing and leasing.
Get A Professional Inspection Of Any Used Car
Kijiji Autos' report discovered that 32% of Canadians said they were least confident in determining the cosmetic, mechanical and safety condition of a car by themselves, but regardless of how new to car shopping you are, there are
a few things to look for if you're considering a used car.
A car with tires that seem unevenly worn, for example, may have been poorly maintained. If any of the windows, lights or windshield wipers don't work, it might mean there's a wiring issue. While some wear and tear on the interior is to be expected, pay attention to any damp smells inside the car which can happen if there's something wrong with the ventilation system.
Before finalizing any purchase, you have the right to call in a professional mechanic for a full inspection of the vehicle. They're trained to catch issues so you'll have a better understanding of what you're getting into and what potential problems, if any, may occur.
Take The Time To Find The Best Deal
Buying a car is one of the biggest financial transactions you'll likely ever make, and when you're purchasing online, it can be difficult to know if you're getting the best bang for your buck. Trustworthy resources like Kijiji Autos can help you discover high-quality new and used cars from dealers and a large selection of private seller inventory all in one hub. From there you can filter the results by your preferred price range, make, year and more to find your perfect match.
Buying a car doesn't have to be overwhelming, and you can absolutely do it on your own. With the right resources and support, you'll find your next car in no time — and within your budget. When it comes to purchasing a vehicle online, just remember to be diligent in your research and use a tool you can trust.