How to read this Carproof report?

[pooyou]

Hello,

I'm new in Canada, and for the first time, I verified a mazda I'd like to buy using Carproof. No accident nor insurance claims appear but I can't fully understand the History Details Section below. How can a car have no record for Canadian Renewal but be driven for 110,000km?
Any idea?
Does it smell fishy?

Date Location Source Type Category Odometer Country
7/22/2002 LONGUEUIL QC Motor Vehicle Dept. CANADIAN RENEWAL Canadian Renewal
2/8/2003 LONGUEUIL QC Motor Vehicle Dept. CANADIAN RENEWAL Canadian Renewal
1/8/2004 LONGUEUIL QC Motor Vehicle Dept. CANADIAN RENEWAL Canadian Renewal
1/8/2004 QC Motor Vehicle Dept. ODOMETER READING FROM CANADIAN PROVINCE Odometer Reading 25614 K
3/30/2010 POINTE CLAIRE DORVAL QC Motor Vehicle Dept. CANADIAN RENEWAL Canadian Renewal
4/6/2010 CANADA Auto Auction REPORTED AT AUTO AUCTION Odometer Reading 138596 K

Thank you for your help!

[stevenma188]

Are you buying the car from Downsview Auto by chance? (because of the Quebec registration)

[SpeedBaby]

Keep in mind that the accident reporting system in Quebec operates differently from Ontario and most other provinces. This leads to some accidents not being reported on carfax/carproof reports.
General rule of thumb - be very wary of cars coming from QC

[Jeff-TheBiz]

Throw me the VIN, perhaps I can shed some light

[pooyou]

Hello guys,

thank you for your quick replies. The thing is, even though I'm not in Ontario and I'm not buying a mazda3 but a mazda MPV, I posted in this forum because people seem skillfuled here.
I'm living in Montréal and trying to buy a Mazda MPV here .
The VIN of the desired car i JM3LW28A420330593

Thank you

[stevenma188]

Haha that makes more sense. There is a sketchy dealer in Toronto that seems to exclusively sell Quebec regisitered Mazda3s.

[sarujo]

For me it raises concern, but also keep in mind that accidents/damage can occur but never be reported to the insurance companies, thus it would never show up. Carproof reports are not the end all anyways. I would only use it to help decide whether or not the vehicle was worthy of investing $ in a thorough inspection by a trusted mechanic. Do NOT buy a used car without having it properly inspected first. Especially in Quebec - it has a bad reputation fixing and re-selling write-off's, in and outside of PQ.

Hello,

I'm new in Canada, and for the first time, I verified a mazda I'd like to buy using Carproof. No accident nor insurance claims appear but I can't fully understand the History Details Section below. How can a car have no record for Canadian Renewal but be driven for 110,000km?
Any idea?
Does it smell fishy?

[pooyou]

Thank you sarujo for you opinion. I'll try to use it wisely.
I was about to make the car inspected by a mechanic, as you wrote, but I think I'll keep my money for something else. Another car for instance...

[sarujo]

When you are at a dealer checking out a used vehicle, have a very close look at some of the following:

• Hood and all body panels have even fitting - (ie, if the hood has a smaller gap on one side compared to the other, there is a chance it was replaced - same applies for body panels)
• Look under the car and wheel wells for signs of spray paint indicating damage that was repaired
• Check all windows to see they have matching factory glass (note: some cars will have different markings for front, sides and rears, but should be the same company)
• Look for paint that looks newer/fresher - often indicates repair work
• Ask for any service documents
• Look for parts (front and rear light lenses etc) in which one looks newer than the other - could indicate damage and replacement to one side

Since you are new to the country, I also highly recommend that you borrow/buy/read a copy of 'Lemon Aid" for Used Cars by Phil Edmonston. It will not only help you with the particular used vehicle to choose, but also provides many tricks and tips that will help in the process.

http://www.amazon.ca/Lemon-Aid-Used-...6781463&sr=8-1

I generally do the following when shopping used:

1. Read Lemon Aid and decide on vehicle model and year; note the pricing
2. Go to dealer and ask if you can take the vehicle to your own mechanic for inspection if you are interested in it - if they do NOT agree for ANY REASON then LEAVE
3. Check out the car all around visually yourself
4. Ask for Carproof and any service docs and look it over
5. If 3 & 4 are good then I ask for a test drive (no need to waste time with this until you are sure it is worth your time)
6. If the test drive is good and you are happy with the vehicle then arrange the inspection with mechanic
7. Take car to mechanic
8. If your mechanic finds structural damage/issues then forget it; If he finds transmission/engine issues than it is probably best to forget it too; Common things like brakes, tires etc are fine
9. Use the findings from your mechanic as leverage to lower the price or give back the keys and walk if issues found

Good luck on your search! Take your time and the chances of you ending up with a lemon will be greatly reduced.

PS: A 'lemon' is a bad car that needs a lot of work/repairs/$$

Thank you sarujo for you opinion. I'll try to use it wisely.
I was about to make the car inspected by a mechanic, as you wrote, but I think I'll keep my money for something else. Another car for instance...

[pooyou]

The funny thing is that is I've made your steps mine through experience : 2 weeks in Quebec and you discover another world. As long as you buy new cars, it seems alright, but if your credits don't allow you such pleasures, welcome to the dark side of the force.
I've also tried to find the LemonAid, but I always ended in the wrong bookstores..

Finally, I flew from the car and its dealer, and perhaps I'll be the 3rd owner of another Mazda MPV (JM3LW28A120309667) tomorrow afternoon. From a private individual who could show me bills from 2005 up to now.

I hope it's the good one

[Greg@BC]

Hi I am new to this forum stuff so not sure if I'm even posting properly.I do not currently own a Mazda 3 but do have a deal pending in Winnipeg. The car proof report shows it was registered in Quebec as well. The post from speedbaby concerns me about Quebec cars.Can someone tell me if I can ask question about my pending purchase, or do I have to start my own posting. Thanks for any help or comments.

[Jackal]

You might as well use this thread.

[staax]

Go over the car thoroughly and bring it to a mechanic if you're serious about the purchase. My car is a Quebec car and while everyone is right that Quebec cars have a different accident system there are also other reasons why you find so many Quebec cars in Ontario. Example being is that the car dealer I bought mine from has a partnership with a Mazda dealer in Quebec - all cars coming off a 2-3 year lease will be purchased by an independent dealer to make it easier for the Mazda dealership to sell the car.

The private dealership simply buys a car for a little less than what Mazda would sell it for as a used car and then raises the price a little to make their profit. It's like a win-win for both sides.

Just go over your car well and look for accidents. Simple as that.

[Greg@BC]

I was looking at 2 cars both 2013 GX's The first one I drove has 35,000 it drove perfect as I would expect.But looking it over closer The front tires where changed already original toyos on the rear new firestones on the front.I thought that was odd at 35k worn out tires.The one wheel cover was damaged and good size dent on passenger door and a little trim piece insert just right of the sifter and down missing. We passed on this one.The one I have a pending deal on has 50k on the road for 14 months.Its shape is what I would expect like new.It will be for my wife but the 50k is higher then normall driving which means the 3year/60k warranty will run out on the km's first.

[staax]

I was looking at 2 cars both 2013 GX's The first one I drove has 35,000 it drove perfect as I would expect.But looking it over closer The front tires where changed already original toyos on the rear new firestones on the front.I thought that was odd at 35k worn out tires.The one wheel cover was damaged and good size dent on passenger door and a little trim piece insert just right of the sifter and down missing. We passed on this one.The one I have a pending deal on has 50k on the road for 14 months.Its shape is what I would expect like new.It will be for my wife but the 50k is higher then normall driving which means the 3year/60k warranty will run out on the km's first.

Should be 3 year/80,000 km warranty


http://mazda.ca/MciWeb/displayPage.a...rsInfoWarranty

[Jackal]

I was looking at 2 cars both 2013 GX's The first one I drove has 35,000 it drove perfect as I would expect.But looking it over closer The front tires where changed already original toyos on the rear new firestones on the front.I thought that was odd at 35k worn out tires.The one wheel cover was damaged and good size dent on passenger door and a little trim piece insert just right of the sifter and down missing. We passed on this one.The one I have a pending deal on has 50k on the road for 14 months.Its shape is what I would expect like new.It will be for my wife but the 50k is higher then normall driving which means the 3year/60k warranty will run out on the km's first.

I am pretty sure they'll try to upsell you on the warranty if you do decide to buy. But generally you can find out it's a lemon in the first year. You should be fine with the 30K remaining. But if not buy the extra warranty and make the dealership very happy.

[Greg@BC]

you are right about extra warranty according to them its 2 grand. I have better places to put that kind of money.It looks like I might not be buying it after all.After making the deal and they wrote it up there was an additional $650 bucks added. They called there advantage package. It basically a road hazard warranty. There are written in such away it sounds its included in the original listed price.Its called the birchwood advantage. they say its quite common here in Winnipeg.

[Jackal]

If you have CAA then you won't need it. But if you don't and it lasts for about 5 years then it may be worth it. Just check details about distance for tow truck and how often per year and how many years.
Edit: hope you didn't sign anything binding yet if you're pulling out of the deal.

[Greg@BC]

No nothing binding. The manager phoned and reduced the price about 250 but we will be patient and keep looking.If anybody has a contact in Winnipeg let me know. I'm all for dealerships making money just looking for some place reasonably strait forward. :Thanks

[Greg@BC]

I think we found our car if any one is interested.

[staax]

Congrats Greg, if you do pull through with the purchase make sure to introduce yourself and share any pictures or plans for the car!