When you want to get a car, you have two options: buy a new car or a used car. A used car is a car that is no longer new and has had at least one owner.
Buying a used car is a choice that has many advantages, provided you have the used car inspected to know its condition.
Advantage #1: The purchase price of a used car First, the purchase price of a used vehicle will be more attractive than that of a new vehicle. The only exception is for certain collector cars that may be worth more due to their rarity.
Advantage #2: Lower taxes If you buy your used car from a private individual, you will only pay the QST (Quebec Sales Tax).
Advantage #3: Respecting your budget Buying a used car allows you to better respect your budget because the possibility of adding options or related services is limited.
Advantage #4: The price is more negotiable when buying a used car Whether you buy your car from a private individual or a dealer, the price is more negotiable than for a new car. This depends on supply and demand and the condition of the used car.
Advantage #5: The vehicle experiences less depreciation If you buy a used car, you’ll have access to a car that has experienced less depreciation. Depreciation is the decrease in value of something. For a car, this translates to the difference between the purchase price of the new vehicle and its resale price on the used market. Generally, a new car will lose half its value in the first three years following its purchase, then about 10% in the following 3 years. By buying a used car, it will be the original owner who experienced the depreciation.
Advantage #6: No additional fees for buying a used car Unlike the fees associated with buying a new vehicle (processing fees, transaction fees, transport fees, preparation fees, etc.), there are no additional fees to consider when buying a used car. This is even more true if you buy your used car from a private individual.
Advantage #7: A larger inventory of available vehicles Choosing a used car means having immediate access to a wider pool of vehicles than those available at new vehicle dealerships.
Advantage #8: Immediate vehicle availability If you buy a new vehicle, you need to see if the dealer has this vehicle in stock. If not, they’ll get it from another dealer’s stock. Finally, they can always order from the manufacturer. All this obviously causes delays. A used vehicle is available without production and delivery delays.
Advantage #9: The price of options and accessories is included in the sale price When buying a new vehicle, options are charged in addition to the advertised price of the vehicle. This includes smartphone connectivity, head-up display, driver assistance systems. When you buy a used car, these options and accessories are depreciated like the car itself.
Advantage #10: Cheaper auto insurance premium The auto insurance premium for a used vehicle is lower than for the same new vehicle. Indeed, a used vehicle costs less in terms of value and presents fewer theft risks.
Advantage #11: Proven reliability Over time, certain vehicles are considered reliable vehicles. They must have been well maintained, both new and used. This is notably the case with the Honda Civic.
Advantage #12: Possibility of still being covered by manufacturer warranties Even for a used vehicle, it’s possible to benefit from certain warranties if they haven’t expired yet. Indeed, warranties are transferred from one owner to another.
Advantage #13: Possibility of adding additional warranties Some companies specialize in warranties for used vehicles. They can, for example, offer you a warranty following a vehicle inspection.
Advantage #14: Vehicle maintenance and repair history available The vehicle’s history regarding its maintenance and repairs will be very useful to you. This could help you decide whether you want to buy a vehicle or not. Estimating its maintenance costs will then be simpler than for a new vehicle.
Advantage #15: The main qualities and defects of the vehicle are already known For a used vehicle that is not a new model and has already had a few years of service, its qualities and defects are already known. There’s a good chance that automotive journalists and people on blogs or Facebook pages have already expressed their opinions on a particular model.
