CarProof reveals that more than one-third of vehicles have a lien, a fact that Canadians are largely unaware of

LONDON, ON, June 20, 2014 /CNW/ - According to data collected by CarProof, Canada's most trusted provider of vehicle history reports, more than one-third of vehicles in Canada have an existing lien, but Canadians are largely unaware of this fact and underestimate how common car liens actually are.

Data compiled and featured in CarProof's vehicle history reports reveals that 37 per cent of vehicles in Canada have a current lien on them. Quite simply, a lien is security for a debt owing. It represents the right of a lender to keep possession of property belonging to another person until a debt owed by that person is paid in full. A lien on a vehicle is similar to a mortgage on a house and would typically be present if a car has been financed by a bank or leased from a finance company. 

After determining how common car liens are, CarProof conducted a consumer survey to measure how knowledgeable Canadians are when it comes to car liens. The survey found that 63 per cent of respondents underestimated the presence of liens. The findings also show that Canadians do see the value of a lien search before buying a used vehicle - 88 per cent said it was very important to know whether or not a vehicle has a lien on it.

"These findings illustrate how important a CarProof vehicle history report is when you're buying a used car," says Drew Forret, COO/CFO of CarProof. "Our vehicle history reports provide extensive lien, accident and damage information from across Canada, helping to ensure that vehicle shoppers know everything they need to know about a used vehicle before they make a purchase."

To help educate consumers about the importance of liens - and why the presence of a lien doesn't necessarily mean that the vehicle isn't right for you - CarProof has put together a video and resources further detailing what a lien is and how to look for one during the vehicle shopping process. To access this information, please visit www.carproof.com/car-advice/buying/what-is-a-lien.

About CarProof Vehicle History Reports
CarProof, a London, Ont.-based company founded in 2000, is the leading provider of the most comprehensive used vehicle history report available in Canada. CarProof's fully bilingual vehicle history reports rely on accurate and live real-time data to provide consumers with a complete history of their vehicle including accident information, cross-Canada lien search information and full U.S. history. In addition to being named one of Canada's 50 Best Managed Companies, CarProof was recently honoured with Deloitte's 2013 Technology Fast 50™ and Fast 500™ awards. For more information about CarProof, visit www.carproof.com.

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Image with caption: "CarProof reveals that more than one-third of vehicles have a lien, a fact that Canadians are largely unaware of. (CNW Group/CarProof Vehicle History Reports)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20140620_C8124_PHOTO_EN_41608.jpg

SOURCE: CarProof Vehicle History Reports

Joe Varkey
Vice President of Marketing and Communications
CarProof Vehicle History Reports
1.866.835.8612 ext. 4142
[email protected]