Guide to Buying a Used Vehicle

 

A Complete Guide to Buying a Used Vehicle in Brockville

With summer weather upon us in Brockville and across Ontario, buying a used car may be on the top of your summer to-do list. After all, what better way to bring in the nice weather than with a new set of wheels? Our team at 1000 Islands Toyota knows that a car purchase, while exciting, may also be a bit stressful. Trying to find the perfect used vehicle that meets all your needs, while also being reliable and falling within your budget, can be tough.


Knowing what to look for and what questions to ask during the buying process shouldn’t be intimidating or stressful. That’s why we created a complete used car buyer’s guide, highlighting some easy tips that are guaranteed to help you find a reliable used car in Brockville.

Pricing

The biggest factor when purchasing a used car in Brockville (or anywhere) is often pricing. As a consumer, it’s important to protect yourself from unfair practices and prices that you may stumble across when searching for a pre-owned vehicle. Researching used car listings to get a general idea of the price range for a certain type of vehicle is a good way to educate yourself. No one wants to pay for a vehicle only to find out later that it wasn’t a great deal.

At 1000 Islands Toyota, every vehicle at our Brockville dealership is priced according to transparent and fair market vehicle pricing. We always keep our used inventory up to date, and prices are consistently adjusted to represent the current market pricing.

Financing

Financing is a great feature to look for when purchasing a quality used car. While not all places may offer financing, it is a great option for buyers who can’t or don’t want to buy their car with one payment. Financing also enables better budgeting, and allows you to accommodate models you may not have been able to afford in one go.

Our Brockville team is happy to offer financing solutions for both new and used cars. Our online credit application makes the process easy to start.

Another aspect to consider regarding financing is the trade-in value of your current vehicle. Factors like the make, year, mileage, and more can have a bearing on the trade-in value of your car. You can easily find out how much you can get for your current car by filling out a trade-in form.

Car History

There are many reliable used cars out there that can meet your needs just as well as a new vehicle, especially from trusted brands like Toyota. Unfortunately, not all used cars or dealerships are the same. When it’s time to purchase, you’ll want to make sure the car you buy is indeed as great as it sounds. After all, a car may look nice but have a terrible history of maintenance issues or accidents.

Luckily for buyers, CarProof Reports take all of that worry out the window. These reports are the most comprehensive and reliable vehicle reports available in Canada.

CarProof Reports can identify:

  • If there has ever been odometer tampering or vehicle fraud
  • The full insurance, claims, and most importantly, accident history of the vehicle
  • Registration records and history
  • Identify if there are any enforceable liens on the vehicle in Canada and/or the USA
  • The full USA car history
  • And more

Since CarProof is a live, fully-connected digital resource, all reports are current and comprehensive, making it an important part of any used vehicle purchase.  If a seller can't provide an authentic CarProof report, it may be best to move on or at least ask more questions. Never buy a used car in Brockville without some way of verifying the vehicle’s history.

Test Drive

While sources like CarProof reports and online vehicle reviews can tell you a lot about a car, it’s also important to take any used or new vehicle out for a test drive before you buy. Be sure to make a list of features you’re looking for, and see if the drive lives up to your expectations. You'd be surprised at how easy it can be to overlook or forget something important in the excitement of driving a new vehicle. While everyone will have different needs, some features on your list could be forward and rear visibility, legroom (both front and back seats), in-car features like air conditioning and powered windows, infotainment systems, or even cupholders!

Handling and drivability of the car are other big takeaways you can only get from a test drive. Always be sure that you are happy with the way the car handles and feels on the road, especially under the conditions you experience on your daily drives. Try to emulate those conditions where possible - for example, if you do a lot of highway driving, be sure to take a highway test drive.

Car Inspection

A car inspection is something that many buyers commission to ensure that the car is everything it appears to be. This should never take the place of a CarProof report, but provides a good overview of the vehicle’s current condition. Depending on where someone buys a vehicle, they may want a second and impartial opinion about what’s under the hood. It never hurts to get a second opinion, and if the dealership you are working with is open and honest, there should be no new issues that arise from that second opinion.

At 1000 Islands Toyota in Brockville, not only do we have a wide selection of used cars, but we also have an experienced and certified service center and a team of technicians. Our dealership is stocked with the most recent technological diagnostics equipment, and our certified mechanics are always friendly and ready to help.

Let 1000 Islands Toyota Help You Find a Used Car in Brockville

If you’re looking for a new or used car in Brockville, our team is here to help. We offer a wide selection of used cars, trucks and SUVs. Our friendly staff can answer all your questions, and we’ll never pressure you into making a purchase. To learn more about our inventory, service department, and financing and special promotions, please contact our Toyota team today.