Ready to buy a used car, but don’t know where to start? Before you visit your local dealership or start flipping through online classified ads, you should make sure you have all the necessary car-buying documents in order. In this post, we’ll take you through all the things you need to apply for auto financing and to purchase, insure and register a pre-owned car in Manitoba.

Three things you need to consider when buying a used car in Manitoba:

It’s time, you’re set on buying a vehicle.  You know that a used car is what you want and you’re ready to visit a dealership or a private seller and start your process. But there’s a few things to consider when buying a used car in Winnipeg:

Research 

Nowadays, most of the research happens on the internet but first you need to know what you want to buy. Consider your lifestyle, cargo space, frequency and how much you will be using your car? Do you prefer SUV or sedan? Narrow down the search. Choose some specific brands and what you want in your vehicle. 

Second, you need to know your budget. How much can you afford to spend? Birchwood Credit offers a great auto loan calculator that will help you figure that part out. Now you have the type of vehicle that you want and how much you’re willing to pay. 

Trusted dealership 

Visit local trusted dealerships websites. Dealerships are obligated to hold a set of standards so used cars always have to go through a rigorous inspection. Another advantage of buying from a trusted dealership is that you can have the Carfax history disclaimed for free. Knowing how many owners a car has had and what type of damage the car received is important when deciding on a model. 

Test drive the car 

You have decided on the car that you want. You have the budget and you researched the dealerships. Now, it’s time to do a test drive. Use this moment to ask all the questions you want and to inspect the car. See how it feels to drive, if it’s what you’re expecting or if another model might be better suited for you.  

What documents do I need to buy a vehicle in Manitoba? 

Now it’s the time to make sure you have all the necessary car-buying documents in order. In this part, we’ll take you through all the things you need to apply for auto financing and to purchase, insure and register a pre-owned car in Manitoba.

• Car loan requirements
• Purchase documents
• Vehicle insurance and registration

Car Loan Requirements

A good idea might be to get pre-approved for financing before you start shopping for a used car. It’s a good idea to do this before you start shopping so you can have a clearer picture of what you can afford to spend.

At Birchwood Credit, the application process is fast and easy. You can apply in person or online and it can take less than 24 hours to find out if you’re pre-approved. All you need to have is: a valid ID, your driver’s license and a few recent pay stubs. You don’t have to be a permanent resident to apply. Newcomers to Canada are welcomed. 

Getting pre-approved is especially important if you have a low credit score or no credit history. Worrying about getting denied for auto financing due to your credit takes the fun out of car shopping. You can avoid this by being upfront and figuring out how much you can borrow before you set foot in a dealership. The Birchwood Credit team looks beyond your credit score and takes your whole financial profile into account when considering your application for a car loan with bad credit.

Purchase Documents

There’s a lot of paperwork that comes with buying a car in Winnipeg, but some of the documents are more important than others. To legally drive your new used car in Manitoba, you’ll need to bring the following pieces of paper to your nearest Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI) Autopac agent so you can get it insured and registered — which we’ll explain further in the next section.

Bill of Sale: A bill of sale is a document that’s signed by the seller and the purchaser. It includes the price paid as well as the year, make, model and serial number of the vehicle. The seller should have two bills of sale written up so you can each keep a signed original (MPI usually requires an original for registration).

Certificate of Inspection (COI): A valid COI is required whenever a vehicle changes owners. It provides a snapshot of the vehicle’s overall condition and certifies that it meets the basic standards for operation in Manitoba. This is more of a general overview rather than a detailed inspection of the engine and transmission.

Transfer of Ownership Document (TOD): This document helps protect you, the buyer, by proving that the seller is the legal owner of the vehicle, confirming that the vehicle has never been stolen or written off and ensuring that the odometer reading is correct. The TOD is part of the vehicle registration card and needs to be signed by both parties.

Vehicle History: While all of the above are required whether you purchase a vehicle from a private seller or a dealership, only an authorized dealership is required to provide you with a full vehicle history. This could usually include details like accident history or service and repair information. Dealers are also required to tell you if the vehicle is equipped with an applicable after-market immobilizer system.

Vehicle Insurance and Registration 

Every driver in Manitoba is required to insure and register their vehicle through Manitoba Public Insurance. Legally, you need to have Basic Autopac insurance and registration before you take your new car out on the road. As mentioned above, you can get both processed when you bring your Bill of Sale, Certificate of Inspection, and Transfer of Ownership to your local Autopac agent.

Insurance

Autopac insurance provides personal injury, damage and third-party liability coverage in the case of a collision. This means you’re spared the full cost of lost wages due to an injury, repair costs for your damaged car, or legal fees if you hurt someone else.  

Your insurance premium is determined by a bunch of different factors, including the kind of vehicle you drive, the kind of driving you do (urban or rural), where you live and your driving record. You can choose to make four or 12 payments a year and you can get a discount on your premium if you maintain a safe driving record for several years — ie. not getting into any accidents or speeding. You have to renew your insurance by midnight on the day before it expires.

Registration

When you register your newly purchased car you’ll get two license plates that must be displayed on the front and back of the vehicle as proof of registration. If you are selling or trading-in your old vehicle for a new one, you can transfer those plates to your new car if it’s in the same registration class. As with insurance, you need to register your car before you can take it on its maiden voyage.

Get in touch with Birchwood Credit today to get the car-buying process started! It takes as little as three minutes to complete our online application form.

Car Loans In Winnipeg Made Easy

At Birchwood Credit, you’re more than just your credit score. Here, we look past your credit history, we analyze your history. Bad situations can happen with almost everyone and we understand that. We cover all types of credits and situations. We specialize in helping people with less than perfect credit purchase a vehicle. We understand the challenges that come with being in a difficult financial situation and are here to help you through the process. 

Get in touch with Birchwood Credit Solutions today to get the car-buying process started! It takes as little as three minutes to complete our online application form.