Fair used-car prices & inspection before buying

Getting Started Tips to be Successful on Kijiji
1

Buying a car on Kijiji is a great way to save money, but it requires a bit of detective work to ensure you aren’t buying someone else’s expensive problem.

To tell yourself if the price is fair Kijiji has implemented a “Price analysis tool” In the meantime, you can easily gauge the market yourself by searching AutoTrader.ca and Kijiji for identical models within a 100-kilometer radius to see what others are asking.

When you go to look at the vehicle, follow this structured process to protect your money.

Part 1: The Essential “Paperwork” Check

Before you even touch the car or turn the key, check these three critical pieces of data. If the seller refuses to provide them, walk away.

  1. Ask for the CARFAX Canada Report: This tells you if the vehicle has been in major accidents, has an active insurance claim, or has an active “lien” (meaning the seller still owes money to a bank for the car, and the bank could legally repossess it from you).

  2. Request the UVIP (Used Vehicle Information Package): If you are in Ontario, the seller is legally required to buy this from ServiceOntario and show it to you. It lists the car’s entire ownership history and estimated wholesale value.

  3. Check the Safety Standard Certificate (SSC): Ask if the car is being sold “certified.” If it isn’t, you will have to pay a mechanic to inspect and fix it to pass safety regulations before you can legally put license plates on it.

Part 2: The DIY On-Site Inspection

Meet the seller in a well-lit, public parking lot during daytime hours (a police safety zone or busy shopping center is ideal). Ensure the engine is completely cold when you arrive—a warm engine can hide starting issues or smoke.

  • The Body & Rust: Squat down and look along the sides of the car. Check for uneven gaps between doors or mismatched paint shades, which reveal cheap accident repairs. Look closely at the wheel wells and rocker panels (under the doors) for bubbling paint, which indicates hidden rust.

  • Under the Hood: Pull the oil dipstick. If the oil looks like milky coffee, the engine has a catastrophic internal leak (a blown head gasket). Check the fluid levels—low brake fluid or coolant indicates neglect.

  • The Tires: Look for uneven wear. If the inside edge of a tire is bald but the outside looks new, the car’s alignment or suspension is badly damaged.

Part 3: The Ultimate Safe-Bet Strategy

No matter how clean a car looks or how friendly a Kijiji seller seems, never buy a used car without a PPI (Pre-Purchase Inspection).

Tell the seller: “I’m highly interested. I’d like to book a Pre-Purchase Inspection at a local mechanic workshop tomorrow. I will pay the $100 to $150 inspection fee.”

  • If they agree: The mechanic will put the car on a hoist, look underneath for structural rust, scan the computer for hidden fault codes, and give you a written report of exactly what needs fixing. You can use this report to negotiate a lower price!

  • If they refuse: They are hiding a major mechanical defect. Walk away immediately.