If you are on the market for used car and you already found the car you like, don’t rush check the car records.
• Read cars reviews and consumer reports: Consumer reports 
• Check car safety, crash-test and rollover rating: Safety vehicle rating
• Dependability-Reliability is important factor if you buying used car: Dependability rating
• Choose the fuel efficient vehicle, evaluate fuel economy: Fuel efficient cars
Fuel economy ratings
• The most fuel-efficient cars record in Canada Best gas efficient cars
• Research vehicle common problems and complains, check vehicle weak spots: NHTSA records
• Evaluate how the car rates on the auto insurance cost: Auto Insurance rate
• Buy car with confidence, avoid Curbsiders and Con Artists: Motor Vehicle Industry Council
First check the car history and records, make careful visual inspection and do the test drive by yourself.
Ask for certificates, the best is take vehicle to your mechanic or to a diagnostic centre for a check-up before buying.
Read the car records, this will help you to eliminate vehicles with potential problems: vehicles that have been flooded or restored after serious accidents, those with outstanding liens.
Obtain car history records by the Vehicle Identification Number VIN - look for VIN under the windshield.
When you about to spend thousands of dollars on a used car, it is worth to pay for a history report that could give you some information about the car's past. There is not guarantee that the car is perfect.
Location of vehicle identification number VIN
Buying Used Car Check List:  Print check list
• Verify Vehicle Indentification Number if the vehicle match the VIN number on the ownership
• Verify vehicle history report by VIN
• Verify service record (vehicle maintenance book and dealer service record)
• Verify if vehicle has lemon histories
• Check if the vehicle been use as: taxi, rental or lease
• Get the "Bill of Sale" from the seller
• Ask for the Used Vehicle Information Package
• Ask the seller is the original owner
• Ask if the car was bought from a car dealer
• Ask about the vehicle's accident history
• Check for major repairs record
• Verify vehicle mileage is accurate
• Check for previous owners
• Check vehicle accidents record
• Verify last Emission Test
• Check if the car has valid Safety Certificate
SSC - Safety Standard Certificate is a certificate that is issued by a government approved Motor Vehicle Inspection Station after a vehicle passes an inspection. This inspection covers the minimum safety requirements.
SSC certificate is not a warranty or guarantee on the general condition of the vehicle. The SSC only certifies that on the date it was issued, the vehicle met the minimum safety standards.
You can have your vehicle inspected at a Ministry of Transportation-approved Motor Vehicle Inspection Station.
For the purposes of transferring ownership, an SSC is valid for 36 days from the day that the SSC was issued.
Always inspect a vehicle in the daylight.
Inspect Exterior:
• Check gaps between panels if equal on both sides
• Check for rust body and under the car
• Check the car parts are equal colors
• Check for painting over spray (mean bodywork or car has been in an accident)
• Check for waves on the body (mean bodywork or new paint)
• Check for carks on the windshield
• Check if the car was using for towing - trailer hinge
Check for gaps between panels if equal on both sides, doors and bumpers.
Inspect Tires:
• Check for any cracks on tire
• Check if tires are worn out
• Check tires for irregular wear
• Check if there are mismatched tires
• Check for damaged rims
• Check if spare tire, jack and wrench are in good condition
Inspect Interior:
• Check for excessive wear on: seats, brake and accelerator pedals (new pedals signal the car has had a lot of use)
• Check for extreme wear of the upholstery
• Check for misaligned or loose panels
• Check driver's door play on the hinges
• Check for water leaks: wet carpet or dampness under the carpet or in the trunk, upholstery water marks.
• Check for driver seat worn
• Check if steering wheel worn excessively
• Check Radio and CD if is working
• Check the odometer
• Check air conditioner is blowing cold air
• Check if heating system is working
• Check power locks,
• Check if windows operate
• Check if mirrors and sunroof is working
• Check if rear window and side mirrors defogger is working
• Check seat belts and all the controls
• Check visibility
• Do you feel comfortable in driver's seat
Inspect the Engine:
• Check if engine is dirty or oily
• Check the oil level
• Check the oil color if is black
• Check on idle if work unevenly
• Check for noise: knocking, pinging, whistling (signal engine repair)
• Check for excessive smoke from tail pipe on acceleration
• Check if warning lights come on while running "Check Engine" or "Service Engine Soon"
• Check if oil pressure light is on, or is flashing at idle (signal costly engine repair) Warning Lights App
• Check for dirt or coolant contamination under the oil cap
• Check for smell of burnt under the hood
• Check coolant if there is no oil in the reservoir (sign of engine problem)
Inspect Automatic Transmission:
• Check for transmission repairs record
• Check for oil chage record
• Check the oil level (on engine running)
• Check for leaks
• Check transmission fluid: if is read and clear
• Check if fluid smell burnt
• Check the oil color if the oil is burned
• Check fluid on dipstick if is very dark or dirty
Inspect Manual Transmission and Clutch:
• Check for transmission repairs record
• Check for oil chage record
• Check for oil leak
• Check linkage
• Check clutch pedal for excessive play
• Check for clutch burning smell
Inspect Suspension:
• Check for shock absorbers leaking
• Check if any of the shock absorber boots are broken
• Check for steering wheel free play is excessive
• Check if the car sit level
Inspect Under the Car:
• Check for oil, coolant or brake fluid leaks
• Check exhausts mufflers for rust or leaks
• Check for excessive noise form the exhaust
Inspect Brakes:
• Check brake fluid level in the container
• Check brake pedal goes down to the floor
• Check break pedal is spongy or excessive travel
• Check break pedal is hard
• Check for brake fluid leaks
• Check brake lines for corrosion
• Check brake rotors for corrosion and wear groves
• Check brakes for wear
Road Test: that includes driving at different speeds and on different road conditions take it on the highway,
test evaluate steering, brakes, shock and alignment. Note ! If any of warning lights come on. Warning Lights
Engine - road test:
• Check oil pressure light is on at idle
• Check for hesitation on acceleration
• Check for engine has enough power
• Check for blue smoke coming from the tail pipe
Automatic Transmission - do road test:
• Start the engine and switch from P to D and from P to R pushing brake pedal. Notice if there is noises or jerks
• Check for delay or jerk shifting
• The shifting seems to be delayed
• Check for transmission noises while driving
• Check for kick-down function work on acceleration
• Check if transmission worming light is on
Manual Transmission and Clutch - do road test:
• Check for transmission noises while driving
• Check for troubles changing gears
• Check is the clutch slipping
• Check for shift into reverse is sooth
Suspension and Brakes - road test:
• Check for knocking or creaking noises when driving over bumps
• Check if the car pulls aside
• Check if the steering wheel out of center
• Check if the vehicle feels unstable on highway
• Check for lack of control when turning a corner (need alignment)
• Check for humming or growling noise
• Check for pedal pulsation while braking (need brake job)
• Check for steering pulsation while braking (need brake job)
• Check for grinding noise while braking (need brake job)
• Check if vehicle pull aside while braking
• Check if brake warning light or ABS light is on while driving
• Check for steering vibration at high speed
• Check for excessive wind noise at high speed
Signs of Trouble:
• Steering that pulls the vehicle to one side - alignment problems
• Squealing brakes - too much wear need brake job
• Blue smoke coming from the tail pipe - signal engine major repair
• Excessive transmission noises and shifting problem - signal transmission repairs
• Lack of control when turning a corner - stearing linkage problems or worn out shock absorbers
Note: An average car gathers 16,000 to 22,000 kilometres per year. Print check list
Vehicle Information Package UVIP 
Vehicle Information Package contains:
- Description of the vehicle
- Vehicle Indentification Number VIN
- Plate Number
- Year and Make
- Model
- Colour
- Body Type
- Cylinders
- Power
- Status
- Brand
- Vehicle registration history
- Odometer information, milage
- Outstanding debts and link to liens on the vehicle
- Wholesale and retail values for the vehicle's model and year, if available
- Sales tax requirements
- Bill of sale
- Tips on vehicle safety standards inspections
Vehicle Licence Issuing Office List
Licence Issuing Office
Status of the vehicle:
- Suspended
- If ministry records show that a vehicle status is suspended, no transactions involving the vehicle will be processed. A buyer could not obtain a new vehicle permit.
- A vehicle permit may be suspended for things like a contravention of a statute, such as the Highway Traffic Act.
- Unfit
- If ministry records show that the vehicle status is"unfit", it may be mechanically unfit. Licence plates cannot be attached to such a vehicle unless a Safety Standards Certificate is provided to the ministry.
- Wrecked
- If ministry records show that the vehicle status is "wrecked", the vehicle has been completely dismantled or crushed. Licence plates cannot be attached to the vehicle and it cannot be used on any public road.
Sellers shuld provide Used Vehicle Information Package to buyer, if selling a used vehicle privately.
Vehicle Debts, lien information:
• The name and municipality of the person who owes the money,
If a business owes the money, the UVIP package
will have the full address
• The name and address of the lender the secured party
• The place where the debt is registered
• The amount of the debt
• Does the Vehicle Identification Number on your vehicle match the Vehicle Identification Number VIN on your permit
If it does not match, call Ontario's Driver and Vehicle Centre: Tel: 416-235-2999 Toll free: 1-800-387-3445
Finalized Car Purchase:
• As the new owner, you must register your used vehicle within six days of the sale
• Bring UVIP and vehicle permit with completed Application for Transfer to Driver and Vehicle Licence Issuing Office
• At the time of the transfer, the Driver and Vehicle Licence Issuing Office collects the tax
• Pay the licensing fees for plates and permit
- Trailer plate and permit is $35
- Passenger, Commercial, Motorcycle permit is $20
- Attaching Plates you already own is $10
- Plate holder must pay for validation sticker, which is calculated from the date of the vehicle transfer to the expiry
date of the licence plates
• Present proof of valid auto insurance
• Safety Standards Certificate (SSC) is required
• Valid Emission Test - Drive Clean Program is required Drive Clean centers
• If you already have licence plates, bring the plate portion of your vehicle registration permit
Note:
If the lien is not paid, the secured party debt holder can repossess the vehicle from the person who owes the money or from the buyer of the vehicle.
Seller Finalize Car Sale:
• Record your name, signature, name of buyer, date and purchase price on the "Bill of Sale" in the UVIP Package
• Complete and sign the Application for Transfer
• Application for Transfer is on the back of the "vehicle portion" of the car registration permit
• Get the UVIP and the "vehicle portion" of the registration permit
• In Ontario the licence plates stay with you, not with the vehicle
• Before you attach your plates to another vehicle, visit a Driver and Vehicle Licence Issuing Office to register the
plates to the other vehicle
• If you do not plan to get another vehicle you can return the plates and the plate permit to any Driver and Vehicle Licence Issuing Office for cancellation
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