Along with buying a home, buying a car – new or used - is one of the most important decisions a consumer will make.  For many people, a vehicle isn’t just a means of convenience or transportation, it’s often an essential component for their livelihood.  Finding the right car that fits your lifestyle, be it business or leisure, not to mention your budget, is critical to ensure that you get what you need out of the vehicle, especially in the used car industry.

United Auto Credit suggests that a prospective buyer make some key decisions before starting their search;

1)  Is the car primarily for work, for leisure, or both?

If you travel a good deal on business, the kind of car you will require will often be in an entirely different category than one used for basic transportation needs.  You will want a more rugged model that offers good gas mileage and has a solid reputation for dependability and performance.  If you plan on more domestic usage, particularly as a second vehicle, you may be more interested in safety and seating options for children, as well as storage space.  If you’ll be using it for both business and leisure, then you might want to consider some combination of all of the above  elements.

2)  The next most important consideration when purchasing a used car is how you intend to pay for it.  In today’s economy, the idea of paying outright for a vehicle can be a major financial drain, which is why so many opt to finance the purchase through a used car loan.  As with any kind of loan, many factors should be considered before settling on the terms.  Can you pay either weekly or monthly?  Do you prefer a fixed or a variable term rate?  Will you be keeping the vehicle at the end of your term, or do you expect to return it?  Will your credit rating have a bearing on your ability to get a loan?   These are among the most common and most important questions an informed consumer should be aware of,  the answers to which can be found in our next section, IS THERE MORE THAN ONE TYPE OF USED CAR LOAN?

For more information, visit United Auto Credit – Bad Credit Car Loans in Toronto, North York, Mississauga, York, Brampton, Scarborough, Oshawa, Ajax, Pickering, Whitby and Ontario Canada.

One of the most common questions we receive at United Auto Credit is, “What are the dealer’s responsibilities when it comes to providing information about a vehicle?”

Many people do not know what information they are entitled to.  For example, does the dealer have to tell you how much mileage a car has?  How can you be sure that the vehicle has been certified as road worthy?  What is your recourse if you suspect a dealer is not reputable?

There is in fact a great deal of information that a dealer must impart to their customers by law, which includes:

1)  Whether the vehicle has been ‘branded’; in other words, has it been damaged to the point of being irreparable, or only partially damaged and thus, deemed salvageable.

2) The make, model and model year of the vehicle.

3)  If it has previously been employed as a limousine, police cruiser, emergency services vehicle, taxi or other public sector usage.

4)  If it has been used as a rental vehicle.

5) The accurate mileage of the automobile, or how far it has been previously driven.

You have the right to insist that this information be made available by the dealer.  Failure to do so should raise suspicions about the dealer in question. In Ontario, failure to answer these questions honestly is legal grounds for termination of a trade-in or purchase contract.

A smart consumer is an educated consumer.  As such, United Auto Credit will always recommend that you do a background check on the history and reputation of a dealer. 

You can request referrals or check the legitimacy of most reputable dealers at The Used Car Dealer’s Association of Ontario http://www.ucda.org/.

United Auto Credit believes that keeping you informed of your rights isn’t just good sense, it’s good business.

For more information, visit United Auto Credit – providing Bad Credit and Bankruptcy Car Loan in Toronto, North York, Mississauga, York, Brampton, Scarborough, Oshawa, Ajax, Pickering, Whitby and Ontario Canada.

Chances are that you know someone, or someone who knows someone, that has a sordid tale to tell about an experience with a used vehicle, trade-in or even the auto credit application process.

The sad reality is that there are people who would take advantage of others.  These people exist in a variety of industries, including the auto industry.  As such, it becomes increasingly incumbent upon the public to educate themselves on what to be on guard for and what criteria to seek out when choosing a reputable auto dealer.

Like many industries, the auto trade industry has its own certification processes by which the public can determine whether a particular business has been deemed as reputable. 

For example, The Canadian Automotive Institute (http://thecai.on.ca/) is the certification body for the automotive industry in Canada, and its main purpose is to uphold the highest standards of integrity and accountability in the automotive trade.

Similarly, for auto dealers in Ontario, there is The Used Car Dealers Association of Ontario (http://www.ucda.org/).  Their mission is to improve the reputation of the used vehicle industry in Ontario.  By visiting their website, you can actually search out a particular dealer by name and city to discover if they are or aren’t registered with this regulatory body.

There is also the Ontario Motor Vehicle Industry Council (http://www.omvic.on.ca/) which regulates adherence to the Ontario Motor Vehicles Act.

Those auto dealers that are members of these organizations are held to a higher standard and as such are accountable. 

Thus, the best advice that United Auto Credit can give any prospective customer is to do your homework and ensure that you’re dealing with a reputable organization; one that holds themselves to a higher standard.

For more information, visit United Auto Credit – providing Bad Credit and Bankruptcy Car Loans in Toronto, North York, Mississauga, York, Brampton, Scarborough, Oshawa, Ajax, Pickering, Whitby and Ontario Canada.

Getting ready to buy yourself a used car?  Well…we all know that cars develop reputations for various things and the list of cars here have quickly become notorious for being the most stolen used cars in Canada.

1. 2000 Honda Civic SiR 2-door
2. 1999 Honda Civic SiR 2-door
3. 2004 Subaru Impreza WRX/WRX STi 4-door AWD
4. 1995 Dodge/Plymouth Grand Caravan/Voyager
5. 1995 Dodge/Plymouth Caravan/Voyager
6. 2002 Acura RSX Type S 2-door
7. 2001 Audi TT Quattro Roadster
8. 1995 Acura Integra 2-door
9. 1996 Dodge/Plymouth Neon 2-door
10. 1996 Dodge/Plymouth Neon 4-door

According to Statistics Canada, the percentage of stolen cars has declined over the last year. However, there are still over 100,000 cars being stolen across the country, every year. This list was compiled by the Insurance Bureau of Canada in an attempt to educate consumers about which cars may be most susceptible to theft.

Some were surprised that so many older vehicles were featured on this list. However, the chief of the Insurance Bureau said cars like the Neon were easy targets because they easily blend in with other vehicles and are therefore difficult to track down. Most often, these cars are stolen as a mode of transport required to commit other crimes.

The Cadillac Deville four-door (2003), the Lincoln Continental (2002) and the Lincoln Town Car (2001) are the proud leaders of the list for the ‘Least Stolen Used Cars’.

If you own a car that is on the ‘Most Stolen’ list, there’s no need to panic. However, now that you do know that you car could be a target, it might be a good time to get some of those extra safety features (like an alarm) installed in your car and of course, remember to always park your car in a safe spot.

For more information, visit United Auto Credit – providing Used Car Loans and Bad Credit Car Financing in Oshawa, Oakville, Mississauga, Brampton, Maple, Woodbridge, Scarborough, Whitby, Ajax, Pickering and the Greater Toronto Area.

Buying a used car means getting some pretty great deals but if you’re not careful, you could be a victim of odometer fraud. One of the most common used car scams is tampering with a used car’s odometer. Here are some tips to see if the odometer of a used car has been changed or tampered with.

Line Up
Look at the odometer very closely. The numbers should all line up. If they don’t, there might be something fishy going on.

Car History
Most trustworthy dealers, or even individual sellers, will have a log book that will show you the car’s history. When a car is taken in for servicing, the mechanic will usually record the miles in the log book. If the car you’re looking at doesn’t have a reliable log book or the odometer doesn’t match up with the log book, chances are you’re being taken for a ride.

New Parts?
Rogue used car dealers often replace old car parts with brand new ones to get rid of any telltale signs of wear and tear. For example, a car that has a fair amount of miles on it will probably have pedals that are considerably worn out. If the pedals seem brand new, you should probably question why they were replaced in the first place. Of course pedals aren’t the only used car part that can be replaced and you should look closely to see if you notice any car parts that don’t seem to be as old as the car.

The Driver’s Seat
Very few used car dealers or individual sellers will replace a worn out car seat. This is expensive and time consuming. However, if the driver’s seat looks like its seen better days, you should question why the miles on the odometer don’t match up.

Happy - and safe - car hunting.

For more information, visit United Auto Credit – providing Used Car Loans and Bad Credit Auto Loans in Ajax, Ancaster, Beeton, Bradford, Brampton, Burlington, Caledon, Castleton, Cobourg, Cooksville, Dundas, Ft. Erie, Freelton, Georgetown, Hamilton, Keswick, Malton, Milton, Mississauga, Newmarket, Niagara Falls, Oakville, Oshawa, Port Credit, Port Perry, Richmond Hill, St. Catharines, Selkirk, Streetsville, Thornhill, Unionville, Welland, Toronto, North York, Etobicoke, Scarborough, Brampton, Woodbridge, Vaughan, Maple and the Greater Toronto Area.

If you have a used car or are thinking of buying one, one of your first concerns is probably going to be how to get the best mileage out of your car and save gas. Well, here are a few quick tips that  should help.

Choose Well
Yes…the first step towards saving gas is to choose a car that will let you save gas. No point buying an SUV when all it does is guzzle all the fuel you put in it.  Buy a used car that gives you more for your money’s worth.

Driving Habits
Your driving habits could be costing you gas. Excessive speeding, a million short trips in a day and heavy braking are major gas guzzlers.

Drop the Weight
Is your car your second home?  If so, it’s probably carrying too much weight on its shoulders, er…seats. The heavier your car is the more fuel it will need to keep moving so clean it out.

Fine Tuning
What’s the engine in your used car like?  A used car may not have a very well tuned engine which could also result in wasted gas.  

Filtered Out
How clean is your air filter? A clean air filter could end up saving you at least 15% of the gas you currently use.  Older filters allow dirt into your engine, directly impacting the amount of fuel you use.

Tire-d Out
Check your tires. Are they worn out and poorly inflated?  If so, your car needs to make more of an effort to move, thus impacting your fuel economy.

Warmed Up
Used cars, especially if they’re slightly older, should be warmed up for a few minutes before driving.

These are just some basic tips. Of course there are many more tips and innovative “home remedies”. As long as it saves gas and doesn’t harm your car, go ahead and do it I say!

For more information, visit United Auto Credit – providing Used Car Loans and Bad Credit Car Finance in Atikokan, Dryden, Ft. Frances, Ft. Severn, Hornepayne, Kenora, Marathon, Nakina, Nipigon, Thunder Bay, White RiverAlliston, Barrie, Gravenhurst, Huntsville, Lindsay, Midland, North Bay, Orillia, Peteborough, Sault Ste Marie, Sudbury, Timmins, Wasaga Beach, and Ontario Canada.

For some, used cars may not have the same appeal as new cars, and they certainly don’t have that addictive new car smell you just can’t seem to get enough of.  But there’s no reason your used car can’t look as good, or better, than new.  In fact, a previously-loved car is usually more fun because you can experiment with it, fit new parts and have a car that runs like it’s brand new…for less.  Here’s some stuff you should probably know before you get started.

The Flashy Stuff
If you’re a newbie, there are a number of aftermarket shops that can help spruce up your used ride with things like rear spoilers, side panels, sunroofs/moonroofs and more.  If you’re an old hand with used or aftermarket parts, do it yourself.  Mind you, installing the sunroof/moonroof deal may be tricky.

Car Security
Some used cars may not have security features and if you’re particularly concerned about car theft  and security, then installing a car alarm makes sense.  Again, if you’re handy, give it a go.  If not, your local Auto Electric shop can do it for less than you think.  Canadian Tire’s ProStart 3-in-1 Remote Car Starter with Alarm goes for about $250.00.  Quite a bit less than you’d pay for these features in a new car.

Buying Online
If you’re buying new car parts online, make sure you do your research.  For example, when buying used car and/or aftermarket parts on Ebay, be sure to check the seller’s user rating.  If others have had positive experiences buying from the seller, chances are that you will too.

Dismantler or Parts Supplier
If you’re not buying online and looking for a deal, consider visiting your local auto wrecker for your needs.  With thousands of used car parts and supplies, chances are good that you’ll find some useful items.

If you don’t know much about cars yourself, consult a mechanic before setting out to buy new parts for your used car.

For more information, visit United Auto Credit – providing Used Car Loans and Bad Credit Car Financing in Algonquin Park, Alliston, Barrie, Collingwood, Hastings, Lindsay, Millbrook, North Bay, Orillia, Peterborough, Sault Sainte Marie, Sudbury, Sunderland, Timmins, Warkworth, WilberforceToronto, Mississauga, North York, Ajax, Pickering, Oshawa, Scarborough, Beaverton, Bowmanville, Brooklin, Clarington, Courtice, Newcastle, Port Perry, Scugog, Uxbridge, Whitby, Brampton and Ontario Canada.

You’ve Bought a Used Car: What’s Next?

As the owner of a new ‘used car’, you’re obligated by law to register it with the Ministry of Transportation within 6 days of the sale.  The following is a step-by-step guide of the used car registration process:

1. Visit a Vehicle Licensing Issuing Office, bringing your Used Vehicle Information Package (UVIP) and vehicle permit with your completed Application for Transfer.
2. You’ll be required to pay retail sales tax during the transfer.  The used car retail sales tax is based on the purchase price, wholesale value, or greater of the two.
3. Licensing fees for plates and permit must also be paid for at this time.
4. If you plan on putting plates on the car, proof of insurance must be shown.
5. If the vehicle is to be plated and operated on the roads, you’ll be required to get a Safety Standards Certificate.
6. For used cars that are registered, plated and in the Drive Clean Program, you must show the vehicle emissions report.
7. If you are registering a plate or vehicle with the Ministry of Transportation for the first time, you must show proof of identity i.e. birth certificate and/or proof of age.
8. If registering plates that you currently own, bring the plate portion of your vehicle registration permit with you to the Vehicle Licence Issuing Office.

For more information, visit United Auto Credit – providing Used Truck Loans, Used Van Loans, Used SUV Loans, Used Car Loans and Bad Credit Car Loans in Belleville, Brighton, Brockville, Cardiff, Cornwall, Kingston, Marmora, Orleans, Ottawa, Petawawa, Rolphton, Trenton, Whitney Toronto, Mississauga, North York, Scarborough, Brampton, Ajax, Pickering, Oshawa, Whitby, Peterborough Ontario, Canada or complete our Used Car Loan Application Online Today.

Those considering the purchase of a used car, or applying for a used car loan in Ontario will often ask us what to look for to ensure they don’t end up with a lemon.  In response, we’ve put together a short-list of 5 common ‘used car warning signs’ for the new ‘used car buyer’:

1. Steering – if the used car’s steering system is pulling to one side, it could mean the used car’s alignment has problems.
2. Brakes – if the used car’s brakes squeal, it could mean that they’re worn down and will soon need replacing, or that they are improperly adjusted.
3. Smoke – if blue smoke emissions are coming from the used car’s tailpipe, it could mean expensive engine repairs.
4. Control – if you experience a lack of control when turning, it could mean the used car’s steering linkage has problems or worn-out shock absorbers.
5. Odometer Reading – drivers average 16,000 to 20,000 kilometers annually; thus, if the used car’s odometer shows low kilometers for its age, it could mean that it’s been tampered with. 
Note: Odometer tampering is a criminal offence and should be reported to the police.

For more information, review the MTO’s used car buyer’s checklist

Looking for a quality used car?  Need a used car loan? If so, visit United Auto Credit – providing Used Truck, Van, SUV, Used Car Loans and Bad Credit Car Financing in  Brantford, Chatham, Galt, Guelph, Hespeler, Kitchener, Waterloo, London, Orangeville, Tillsonburg, Owen Sound, Sarnia, Stratford, Windsor, Woodstock, and Ontario, Canada or complete our Used Car Loan Application Online Today.

Part of being a smart buyer is knowing what you’re getting into, especially when making a high value purchase.  For example, when buying a used car in Ontario, know whether you’re getting into a used car that has a lien or other outstanding claim against it.  This can be done by performing a Personal Property Security Act Search.

Why Perform a Personal Property Security Act search?

As stated by the Ministry of Small Business and Consumer Services, “If a lender has rights in the used car and a search is not done, the car could later be seized if the borrower fails to repay the loan. Consumers do not need to search when buying a used car from a registered motor vehicle dealer in Ontario unless the car is worth more than $15,000.”

Thus, performing a Personal Property Security Act Search (also known as a PPSA) will uncover whether a used car seller, or former owner, still has obligations attached to the used car in question. 

A PPSA search will determine if an outstanding loan remains.  If you discover that the loan has been repaid, insist that a ‘loan discharge’ be provided and ‘registered’ by the used car seller.  If the loan has not been repaid, buyer beware. There are a number of third party Personal Property Security Registration Providers in Ontario that will provide this information for you at a relatively low cost.

For more information, visit United Auto Credit – providing Used Car, Used Truck, Used Van, Used SUV and Used Vehicle Loans and Bad Credit Car Financing in Toronto, Mississauga, North York, Ajax, Pickering, Oshawa, Scarborough, Brampton, Oakville, Peterborough, Belleville, Courtice, and Ontario, Canada.  If you’re looking for a loan on a used car, please complete our Used Car Loan Application Today.