Many people buy cars privately rather than through dealers. You can often
save money going this route, however, keep in mind that if you have problems
with the vehicle it may be difficult, if not impossible, to get any assistance
or compensation from the vendor. Here are some more tips on how to get the best
deal when buying a used car:

It's "buyer-beware" when purchasing a used car, so, be sure to take it to
your mechanic for an inspection before handing over any money. If he (or she)
finds the vehicle unsafe and/or in need of repairs, determine who will pay for
them beforehand and include this in your written purchase agreement.

Check for liens against the vehicle. A lien means that money is owed on the
vehicle and although the vendor is in possession of the vehicle, its legal claim
belongs to someone else, such as a bank. If you buy a vehicle with a lien
against it, you might be held responsible for future payment. Legislation
differs across jurisdictions on the consequences of buying a vehicle with a
lien. It is possible that the new owner may be required to pay the money owed or
alternately you may risk having the vehicle seized. Contact your provincial or
territorial office of consumer affairs for information specific to your
jurisdiction or to find the organization in your jurisdiction responsible for
conducting lien checks.

Ensure that the person you buy the car from is its registered owner. Remember
to ask for repair bills and maintenance records.

If you decide to buy a vehicle from a private seller understand that he or
she could be in the business of reselling poor-quality, stolen and/or rebuilt
vehicles. Some of these people, frequently referred to as "curbers" or
"curbsiders," may be involved with any number of other scams, such as tampering
with the odometer or selling vehicles with liens against them.

The risk of curbsider scams makes it especially important that you get the
used vehicle checked by a mechanic. You may want to question a mechanic you know
and trust to see if the odometer has been rolled back. They can often tell by
comparing wear and tear with the odometer reading.

Remember that you don't have the right to change your mind after a sale such
as this. If you have problems with the vehicle it will most likely be impossible
to get any assistance or compensation from the vendor. Litigation may be your
only option.

As with any large ticket purchase, there's a lot to know in order to get the
deal that's right for you. The sources of information about buying cars are
limitless. It can be quite frustrating, and time consuming to get what you need.