Drivers are in the dark about used car buying, according to new research

Survey also reveals millions of Canadians searching for their next car online

TORONTO, May 6 /CNW/ - Canadian drivers are making uninformed purchases when it comes to buying a used car. According to a recent survey commissioned by Kijiji Canada, more than half of all Canadians who have purchased a pre-owned vehicle admittedly fail to get all of the facts.

The research also reveals that more than 10-million Canadians are considering making their next car purchase a used car and will be going online to do so.

"Buying a used car without understanding its condition and history is like buying a house without getting a home inspection," says Kelly Williams, a former race car driver and Kijiji Canada's automotive expert. "Previously owned vehicles can be just as reliable as new ones but drivers need to make sure they're assessing the condition of the car before they make the purchase."

A new car means a used car for many Canadians

Forty-five per cent of Canadians are considering making their next car purchase a used car and for many this decision is driven by reliability and price. Yet, of the 78 per cent of Canadians who have already purchased a used car, some didn't take the necessary steps to assess the condition and reliability of the car before they made the purchase.

"In fact, less than 50 per cent of Canadians acquire a copy of the car's history report and this leads to a risky, blind purchase," adds Williams. "Getting the best car for the best price means doing your homework."

To ensure that Canadians are getting the best deal on their next car, Williams suggests the following tips for making a smart and reliable used car purchase:

    
    -   Learn about the car's history. Ask the seller for the car's Used
        Vehicle Information Package (UVIP) and purchase a copy of the car's
        history report through a reliable third-party like CarProof or
        CARFAX.

    -   Spend a little to save a lot. Have a professional inspection done by
        a licensed technician. They're relatively inexpensive and can save
        you a lot of money down the road.

    -   Look for signs of wear and tear. Inspect the car inside and out,
        paying special attention to worn materials, tire treads, and rust.
        It's best to take a look at the vehicle in daylight.

    -   Don't forget about the timing belt. If the vehicle has a high mileage
        (over 100,000 kilometres), ensure you ask about a timing belt. Ask
        about the last time it was changed and make sure you get proof.

    -   Take it for a test drive. You'll learn a lot about the car by taking
        it for a quick drive around the block to see how it handles. This is
        also a good time to test out the car's electronics.
    

Drivers should also make sure to follow the appropriate steps to transfer the ownership by completing the necessary paperwork.

Whether shopping from dealer or driveway, shoppers are going online

When it comes to shopping for a used car, the majority of Canadians are going online with one-third using an online classifieds website, like Kijiji.ca, to find their next car. Canadians between the ages of 18 and 34 are most likely to look for their next car online, with more than four-in-10 people visiting an online classifieds website to do so.

"Consumers no longer begin their search by pulling into a dealership or driveway to find their next car," said Ran Ravitz, Head of Kijiji Autos, Kijiji Canada. "With 250,000 car listings on Kijiji Autos at any given time, it's easy for Canadians to research their next vehicle online and find exactly what they're looking for - fast, easy and close to home."

"The site also makes it easy to sell a used car," he adds. "With 4.2 million Canadians visiting Kijiji Autos each month, it's simple for individuals or dealers to connect with a buyer in their own community."

To find a used car for sale in their community, Canadians should visit www.kijiji.ca.

Methodology

These are some of the findings of an Ipsos Reid poll conducted on April 21 to 22, 2010, on behalf of Kijiji. For this survey, a sample of 1,035 adults from Ipsos' Canadian online panel was interviewed online. Weighting was then employed to balance demographics and ensure that the sample's composition reflects that of the adult population according to Census data and to provide results intended to approximate the sample universe. A survey with an unweighted probability sample of this size and a 100% response rate would have an estimated margin of error of +/-2.2 percentage points, 19 times out of 20, of what the results would have been had the entire population of adults in Canada been polled. All sample surveys and polls may be subject to other sources of error, including, but not limited to coverage error, and measurement error.

About Kijiji Autos

Kijiji Autos is the most visited car site in Canada with more than 4.1 million unique visitors per month (comScore, March 2010). On average, there are approximately 250,000 cars and light trucks listed on Kijiji Autos at any given time and Kijiji users can search for a used vehicle using preferences including: manufacturer, model, year, price range, body-type, kilometre range, colour, and whether a vehicle is for sale by owner or dealer.

About Kijiji

Kijiji, which means "village" in Swahili, is a group of classifieds-style web sites that offer a convenient, fun, and easy way for people in the same city to meet, trade, share ideas, and help each other out in areas such as housing, jobs, goods, services, cars, and personals. The entire Kijiji family includes the Kijiji, Gumtree, LoQUo, Intoko, and Marktplaats brands. Kijiji sites are currently available in over 1500 cities in more than 20 markets around the world; it is the most visited classified site in Canada with more than 9 million unique visitors per month.

For further information: Nicole Tuschak or Jesse Kohl, Environics Communications, [phone] or [phone], [email protected] or [email protected]