Buying a Used Car
CARPROOF Used Car Value Guide
How much is my car worth?
Anyone who has ever bought or sold a used car has probably wondered – what’s my car really worth? This information helps sellers set a competitive asking price, and all...
CARPROOF Car Tire Guide
How much do you know about car tires? You know it’s important to have them, but do you know if you should switch them out when the seasons change? Do you know the difference between the main types o...
Used Car Buying Guide
Everything you need to know about buying a used car:
What’s the right used car for you?
Deciding which vehicle you should buy will depend on your needs, your budget and personal preferences. Cons...
Used Car Warranty Guide
When you’re buying or selling a used car, the vehicle’s warranty (or lack thereof) is an important factor to consider. These guarantees provide the buyer with extra reassurance before they spend t...
Does My Location Impact My Car Resale Value?
Have you ever asked yourself – what’s my car worth? Canadian resale values can differ between provinces – so where you live can directly impact your vehicle value. As a car owner, it’s importa...
How to Get a Car Appraisal in Canada
There are two main reasons people want a vehicle appraisal – either you’re selling a vehicle and want help setting the asking price, or you’re thinking of buying a vehicle and want third-party v...
What is the Most Popular Used Car Colour and How Does It Affect Resale Value?
We all know that vehicles depreciate over time. As a car owner, you realize that factors like wear and tear, design and demand in your area can all impact the value of your car. You can get an idea of...
How to Complete a Used Car Sale by Owner in Canada
Ready to sell a used car? You’ve weighed out the pros and cons of selling privately versus trading in to a dealer, and decided you want to try a used car sale by owner. So, now what? Many people dec...
Reduce Car Depreciation and Increase the Future Value of Your Car
Everyone knows that vehicles depreciate over time, and while some models lose value faster than others, there are things you can do to reduce the amount your car depreciates and maintain the future va...
Determining Residual Value – Should I Buy Out My Lease?
The end of your car lease can come before you know it, so it’s best to determine whether to buy out the car or return it to the dealer in the months before the lease period ends. Although you may lo...
Six Ways to Boost Your Used Car Resale Value
When you buy a used car, chances are you don’t plan to keep it forever. There are things you can do during the car shopping process and while you own the vehicle that can help improve the resale val...
Tips for Buying a Used Car Safely
So, you’ve weighed the pros and cons of buying a used car from a dealer, and decided to go for a private used car sale. This could potentially save you a lot of money, but it also raises some safety...
Car Leasing – Should I Lease or Buy My Next Car?
There are quite a few decisions to make when it comes to used car shopping. Should you be buying a used car? Maybe you want a new one? Should you lease or buy? How does leasing a car work?
While bu...
How to Avoid Scams When Browsing Private Used Car Listings
Scams have always been around, and the automotive industry has seen more than its fair share.
There are several red flags you should look for when viewing a used car listing posted by a private sell...
CARPROOF's Guide on How to Finalize a Private Used Car Sale
You’ve done your homework and researched what type of car you want. You’ve met with the private seller, gone for a test drive , asked all the right questions and taken the car for a pre-purchase ...
Should I Trade in My Car or Sell It Privately?
At some point in your driving career you’ve probably asked yourself: Should I sell my used car privately, or trade it in to a dealership?
There are advantages and disadvantages to both options. When...
Do Not Buy a Used Car Without Doing These Three Things
We get it – shopping for a used car can seem daunting. Should you buy privately or go through a dealer? If you buy privately, how do you know the seller is being honest with you? What if the car has...
Is It Smart to Buy a Used Car in the Winter?
Many people wonder about the best time to buy a used car. While things like general economic trends and special promotions can change things, there are certain times when you can get better deals than...
Different Types of Used Vehicles You’ll See for Sale
There is no shortage of options to choose from when you’re in the market for a used car. Maybe you’re looking for a little extra space so the next family trip won’t feel so cramped? Perhaps you..
Winter Driving Means More Damage That Impacts Used Car Value
Mother Nature can make the roads tricky for even the most seasoned drivers.
When the temperature drops, it’s usually a sign that snow and ice aren’t far behind. When roads get more slippery, dri...
The Used Car You Want Has Been in an Accident – Now What?
When you’re buying a used car, you likely have a good idea of how much you’re planning on spending. You might even know what kind of vehicle you’re looking for. And, like many used car shoppers,...
How Old Is Too Old for a Used Car?
When you’re considering buying a used car, it’s important to take the vehicle’s history and status into account. Buying used provides perks like lower prices, more variety in year, make and mode...
Should I Buy a Winter Beater?
The winter season can be very rough on a car. Most people dislike the thought of exposing their main vehicle to the elements. Not only do icy roads pose a danger, but the constant exposure to salt,...
Natural Disasters and Car Damage
When most people think of car damage, they assume the damage was caused by a collision. However, weather is a common source of vehicular damage. Natural disasters and intense weather conditions can ca...
10 Ways to Avoid Used Car Surprises
Canadians buy 3 million used cars every year, and a third of these are private sales (meaning they’re not purchased from a car dealer). Buying a used car can be stressful and intimidating, but it do...
How to Check a Used Car for an Odometer Rollback
Even if a car looks and sounds great, it doesn’t mean there’s nothing to be concerned about. For example, a vehicle’s odometer reading is major factor in determining how much it’s worth. Most people...
Should I Buy a New or Used Car?
Deciding whether to buy a new or used car can be tricky. Everyone has different priorities in terms of price ranges and preferred features, and there are advantages and disadvantages whichever way you...
How to Negotiate a Used Vehicle Purchase
You’ve found a vehicle that is right for you, and are ready to talk with the seller about a potential deal. When it comes to negotiating the price of a vehicle, the key is to settle on a deal that b...
How You Can Check for Auto Recalls
What is an auto recall?
When a vehicle model (or group of models) has a problem that impacts its safety, the manufacturer or federal government will issue a recall. This can be a specific year/make/...
A Guide to Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles
When you’re looking to purchase a vehicle, there’s no doubt you have plenty of cars to choose from when it comes to the make and model. You also have options in terms of the car’s condition. You...
What is a Lien?
When you’re shopping for a used car, it’s important that you check the vehicle for an outstanding lien. Statistically, it’s pretty common for a car to have a lien – 37 percent of vehicles sear...
What You Need to Know About Your VIN
Your vehicle’s VIN (vehicle identification number) is what sets it apart from other vehicles and it includes important information about the appearance of your car as well as its origins. The VIN...
CARPROOF's Guide on the 10 Question to Ask Before You Buy a Used Car
Not sure which questions you should ask a private car seller? Check out our must-ask list!
We’ve created 10 Questions to Ask a Private Used Car Seller so you know the important questions you need...
CARPROOF's Guide on How to Take a Car for a Test Drive
The test drive is a crucial part of buying a used car.
Do you know what to look for?
We’ve created How to Take a Used Car for a Test Drive to provide you with everything you need to know to ensu...
CarProof's Guide on How to Buy a Used Car for Your Grad
You want to find a great, reliable used car for your new grad. We have a guide to help you do just that.
We created How to Buy a Used Car for Your Grad to help you find a dependable used car that wi...
Where to Shop Online for a Used Car
The Internet is a great way to research products before you head out to buy. The World Wide Web gives you access to products and services you might not be able to find in your small town or surroundin...
Why a Pre-purchase Inspection is Important
Finding the used car that’s right for you takes time, and when you finally find ‘the one,’ it can be tempting to rush through the buying process to get into the driver’s seat as soon as possib...
Which CARPROOF Report is Right for Me?
When buying or selling a used car, CARPROOF reports are important in building trust between the buyer and seller, allowing the seller to establish themselves as an honest person and enabling the buyer...
How Much Fuel Will Your Car Consume?
For many consumers, fuel consumption is a major consideration in the used car purchasing process. With the cost of rising gas prices, people want to know how much they can expect to pay for fuel each...
Top 10 Ways to Avoid Used Car Fraud
Next to a house, buying a car is one of the most important purchases you as a consumer can make. Purchasing a used car can be the perfect way to find a vehicle that suits your needs, your lifestyle an...
How to Protect Yourself from Curbsiders
When it comes to buying a car, whether you purchase your vehicle from a dealership or a private seller, the vast majority of sellers are honest people who are looking to sell you a great car for a gre...
How to Inspect a Car's Interior & Exterior
When you’re looking to buy a previously-owned car, the appearance of the vehicle can be a great indicator as to what’s happened to that car during its lifetime. It’s important that as a potentia...
Top Safety Factors You Should Consider When Buying a Car
A recent Ipsos Reid survey conducted on behalf of ICBC (Insurance Corporation of British Columbia) found that only 32 percent of car buyers in B.C. named safety as one of their top three consideration...
How to do a Proper Test Drive
You’ve done your homework and narrowed down your next potential car purchase to a select few. Now it’s time to get behind the wheel to see how your shortlist stands up to your needs and wants. But...
How to Avoid Buying a Flood Damaged Used Car
When you’re buying a used car, you want to make sure you know what’s happened to the vehicle during the time it spent with previous owners. One thing you might not think to check for is whether or...
How to Get Free CARPROOF Vehicle History Reports
A CARPROOF Vehicle History Report is a crucial part of the vehicle shopping process. Our vehicle history reports provide you with details about a car’s history and give you confidence that you’ve...
Download our Seller's Release Form
You’re ready to buy a used car but the seller won’t give you a CARPROOF report. Now what?
If the seller won’t show you the CARPROOF report, what are they hiding? A CARPROOF report will give you im...
My CARPROOF report is showing a $0 Claim. What does this mean?
CARPROOF vehicle history reports contain information about damage that a car might have sustained in its lifetime. Depending on the incident, we can typically provide you with a close estimate of the...
10 Tips for First Time Car Buyers
Buying your first car is an exciting experience. With so many options to choose from, finding a vehicle that meets your needs, budget and personal preferences requires research, time and careful consi...
Questions to Ask Before You Buy Your Next Used Car
Purchasing a used vehicle can at first seem like an intimidating experience, but if you know the right questions to ask and have the right information at your disposal, you can navigate the process ea...
Five Steps to Finalizing a Private Used Car Sale in Alberta
Buying a car from a private seller in Alberta? Here's what you need to know:
You've found the car you love and now it's time to finalize the deal with the seller. Each province in Canada has differe...