If you’ve recently made the move to Canada, you might be in the market for a car. It’s a fairly straightforward process, but there are some things you should know before starting to shop around for your new wheels. As well as researching the cost, make, and model of your car when you’re buying a new or used vehicle from a dealership, there are some documents that you’ll need to bring, and you’ll also need to figure out how you want to pay.
What documents do you need to buy a vehicle in Canada?
- Canadian Driver’s license. This can take several months to obtain, so factor this in before you visit a car dealership. Depending on the country you’ve immigrated from, you may be able to transfer your existing driver’s license to a new Canadian one. To do this, you’ll need to show your Canadian Citizenship Card as well as your old license.
- Your credit history information (if seeking a car loan)
- You’ll also need to get car insurance once you’ve chosen your car. Having good car insurance is a vital part of being a vehicle owner in Canada, and your dealership can often help to arrange an insurance policy for you.
Buying a used or new car
If you’re planning to buy a used car, you will need to transfer the vehicle registration certificate into your name. A vehicle history report can be very useful, as it’ll give you the details of the approximate value of the car, as well as the history of any accidents.
It’s often safer to buy a used vehicle from a dealership rather than a private seller, as you’ll get a warranty, as well as a full inspection and service before purchase. New vehicles are often much more expensive than used ones, but they generally come with much more up-to-date technology. Plus, some dealerships may provide special offers or incentives for a new car purchase. Whether you’re buying old or new, make sure you take any prospective vehicles out for a spin with a test drive to see how it feels before committing.
Financing options
When buying from a dealership, you can either pay with cash or a loan. When you take out a loan, you may need to provide an upfront down payment via cash, bank transfer, or credit card, as well as proof of your finances, credit score, and eligibility to meet the monthly payments. You’ll need to carefully consider whether the interest rate on your loan is right for you and whether you can comfortably meet the loan payments each month.
Car buying in Canada as a new immigrant may seem daunting at first, but once you’ve got your paperwork in order and decided how you’re going to pay, you’ll be on the road in no time. You’ll soon have your first vehicle and be ready to start your new life as a permanent resident! To get started, visit FFUN Cars, where we specialize in getting newcomers approved for auto financing.
