Consumer Alert! 2025
Buyer Beware when Buying a used Vehicle Privately in Edmonton and Alberta!
Many of us who are in the market to buy a used car or truck want to get the best vehicle that we can afford, by spending the least amount of money possible. Unfortunately, there are many people who prey on our desire to get a good deal, and fraudulently sell unsafe vehicles to unwary buyers, for what may seem to be a great price.
These “Curbers” operate their business without any regard for our laws, and more importantly, without any regard for your safety. For anyone to be in the business of selling motor vehicles in Alberta, they must have an automotive business license and an automotive salesperson registration. Both are issued by the Alberta Motor Vehicle Industry Council.
Although it’s rare, private sellers may fail to reveal potential mechanical faults or damages. Even if you’re asking the right questions, you may not always receive the correct answers. It is for this reason that we strongly recommend that buyers always Have a licensed Mechanic do a full mechanical inspection done to the car before agreeing to the sale, just to get an unbiased opinion from a Licensed & Approved Vehicle Inspection Facility to check that everything matches the description and that there are no unwelcome surprises.
“Curbers” make it their business to obtain vehicles at a low price and then sell them at a greatly inflated price. They often do this by obtaining vehicles that have previously been wrecked, or have other severe mechanical or safety problems, at a very low cost. The “Curbers” will then make minor or cosmetic repairs to the vehicle, and then re-sell the vehicle, even though it is not in any way safe to be on the road. “Curbers” will often advertise these vehicles in local auto sale publications, or simply by putting a for sale sign on it and parking it in an abandoned lot or on a side street. When an interested buyer enquires about the vehicle, the “Curbers” usually have a yarn to tell, explaining why they are selling this vehicle.
In their rush to get a good deal, the buyer will often take the “Curbers” story at face value and purchase the vehicle without any further investigation. Many later regrets having had this trust.
Potential problems under the hood: Private sellers are not held to any liability or obligation after you buy the car.
Sold “as is”: Agreeing to a sale with a private seller means that you are accepting the car in its current state and will have no legal recourse to reverse the sale if it develops significant problems later, no matter how soon after the sale itself.
If you want to purchase a vehicle privately instead of going to a licensed sales business, then you should take precautions.
- Ask to see the most recent registration and insurance for the vehicle, and to see receipts for any service done on the vehicle. This will be a good indication if they are being truthful. If they cannot provide them, then shop somewhere else.
- Don’t be rushed into buying the vehicle through any coercion, such as the seller making a statement that they have another interested buyer coming to look at the vehicle and it won’t last long.
- If the seller won’t allow you to come to their residence, and instead wants to meet at some place neutral, it is a good indication that they are hiding something. Don’t bother meeting with them.
- If you do want the vehicle, get it inspected by your own independent mechanic.
- Check the vehicles history by getting a vehicle history report. Carfax and CarProof are two popular reports that will give you important information from a third party. You can get these at Registry Agents or via INTERNET web sites.
- Check for liens on the vehicle to make sure that the person selling it to you owns it.
- Never, never be in a rush to buy a vehicle.
- Don’t buy a vehicle at night.
- If you are uncomfortable at all, walk away.
You should do all of this before you give the seller any money at all. If they are legitimate, they won’t mind you being cautious. If the seller balks, then no matter how good the deal may seem, go shopping somewhere else. Ultimately, if a deal seems too good to be true, then it probably is.
AMVIC has encountered organized Curbers that have purchased written off vehicles in the United States, imported them into Canada, repaired them and then sold them across Canada. They somehow get the vehicles with Active status in the government computer system hiding that the vehicle was a write off. They advertise them and then lie about the history of the vehicle. Many unsuspecting Albertans were deceived by these sophisticated “Curbers/crooks”.
AMVIC investigates individuals that are curbing vehicles. If you know someone that you suspect is curbing vehicles, please contact AMVIC at 1-877-279-8200. You can also visit the AMVIC website at www.amvic.org
Buying a vehicle privately
Protect Yourself from “Curbers”.
If you are not buying from a registered dealer, make sure you don’t become a Curbers victim. Curbers or curbsiders pose as private individuals but are in the business of selling poor quality, stolen, rebuilt, odometer-tampered vehicles or vehicles that still have liens. These fraud artists sell damaged or defective vehicles to unsuspecting consumers. Here are three things to watch for:
Check the Vehicle’s History
Insist that the seller provides you with background on the vehicle that you can independently verify, like the name of the previous owner, vehicle repair records, anything that tells you the history of the vehicle’s ownership. Don’t sign the deal without it. If the seller refuses to provide it, walk away.
Check the Vehicle’s Registration
Make sure the vehicle you are buying is registered in the name of the seller. If it isn’t, ask questions and find out why. Otherwise, you may be buying the vehicle from a curber.
Have your Mechanic Check the Vehicle?
Before you agree to buy the vehicle, get an unbiased opinion from a mechanic you trust. Remember: If you buy from a curber, you have nowhere to turn if things go wrong. Don’t take any risks – avoid doing business with Curbers.
Canadian Auto Napa Auto Care Centre in St Albert specializes in Buyer/Seller Car Inspections, the buyer/seller car inspection covers pretty much everything—including the engine, fuel system, cooling system, exhaust system, brakes, tires & wheels, suspension, steering, electrical accessories, the body, & overall safety. The licensed technician will also take the vehicle for a road test.
We are an approved facility to conduct vehicle inspections and auto repairs on your used vehicle whether it’s an Import or Domestic car, Truck, SUV, Sedan, Minivans, Convertible. All makes and models like; Acura – Audi – BMW – Buick – Chevrolet – Cadillac – Chrysler – Dodge – Fiat – Ford – GM – GMC – Honda – Hyundai – Infiniti – Jeep – Kia – Volvo – Lincoln – Lexus – Mazda – Mercedes Benz – Mini – Mitsubishi – Nissan – Porsche – Ram – Subaru – Toyota – Volkswagen and all others.
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We are a local family owned and operated business. We are an approved Napa Auto Care Centre, AMVIC Licensed, (BBB) Better Business Bureau Accredited Business and Member of St Albert chamber of Commerce in good standing with Automotive experience since 1988 in St Albert and surrounding areas. Proudly serving the St. Albert, Edmonton, Spruce Grove, Stony Plain, Sherwood Park, Morinville, Fort Saskatchewan, Devon, Leduc, Beaumont and surrounding metropolitan areas!
Canadian Auto Napa Auto Care Centre in St Albert, AB. Complete Automotive Service repairs & Licensed Vehicle inspection facility by Alberta Transportation Specializing in; OPI – Out of province inspections, CVIP – Commercial vehicle inspections, Uber/Taxi Vehicle Inspection, AMVIC Inspections, Warranty Inspection, Insurance Inspections, Buyer/Seller inspections, Safety Inspections on Commercial Bus, Light Duty Trucks, School Bus, Light Motorhome, & all makes & models of import & domestic vehicles.
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