What You Need to Know Before Buying a Car on Kijiji
Updated: Mar. 20, 2019
Hoping to snag a great deal on a used car through Kijiji? Here are some helpful hints on how to navigate online used car sales.
Taking your hunt for a used car online?
Kijiji can be a great place to find a deal on just about anything-including a used car. Even so, there are some red flags to watch out for, and it is important to be an informed consumer. Here are three things you need to know before buying your next car on Kijiji, or any other website hosting used car sales.
1. Research used car values ahead of time.
It’s easy to overspend on a used car if you don’t have any idea what the vehicle is really worth. Do yourself a favour and do some homework ahead of time. Use a price guide to find out the car’s current market value, and plan your offer accordingly. Don’t forget to factor in the condition of the vehicle when making the offer, either. If the car’s in great shape, you can expect to pay a bit more. If it needs mechanical repairs or body work, you should adjust your offer lower to account for the money you will have to put into the necessary maintenance after the purchase.
2. Beware of a used car deal that seems too good to be true.
Not only has the Internet made car shopping more convenient, but it also presents an incredible opportunity to compare cars and hunt for bargains. In the quest for a bargain, it’s sometimes tempting to ignore the warning signs of a deal that’s too good to be true. If the price of the vehicle is severely out of line with your research and seems unreasonably low, you should proceed with caution – or move on to the next ad.
Watch out for scam artists who claim they are listing a car on behalf of someone else: their gimmick is to lure unsuspecting buyers with super-low prices but then take off with the cash and deliver nothing. These scams are not common on Kijiji, but they do happen. Knowing what to look for is the best way to protect yourself.
3. Check the used car’s CarFax report.
No matter what kind of car you’re in the market for, it’s important to check out the CarFax report. Reviewing the CarFax report is an excellent way to confirm the condition of the vehicle, making it easier to estimate its value, and ultimately, the amount of your offer. The CarFax report can also reveal what may have happened to the vehicle in the past, including accidents and major repairs. Some unscrupulous sellers may try to hide past damage, but a comprehensive vehicle report can uncover its history.
