What does it mean for a used car in Ontario to be deemed "certified" ?

[Quad]

I see in a lot of used car ads around toronto that the car is "certified". What kind of certification should I be looking for? And how trustworthy and mechanically accurate are these certifications?

Thanks!

 

[MercenaryForHire]

Oooh boy.

First of all, put the letters "YACT" in your title, standing for "Yet Another Car Thread".
Secondly, "certified" means that the car has passed a safety test within the past 37 (IIRC) days, and the certification contains a list of what's been done, or what might need attention. Cars without certification are usually classified as "needs ____ to pass safety" where "____" could be anything from "new door panels" to "transmission rebuild" to "complete engine replacement".

Buy certified. Always.

- M4H

 

[mAdD INDIAN]

Originally posted by: Quad
I see in a lot of used car ads around toronto that the car is "certified". What kind of certification should I be looking for? And how trustworthy and mechanically accurate are these certifications?

Thanks!

Hey what car are you looking at? I'm lookimng for something cheap as well but cant' decide or find anything under $2000 that is fun to drive.

 

[SSP]

Originally posted by: mAdD INDIAN

Originally posted by: Quad
I see in a lot of used car ads around toronto that the car is "certified". What kind of certification should I be looking for? And how trustworthy and mechanically accurate are these certifications?

Thanks!

Hey what car are you looking at? I'm lookimng for something cheap as well but cant' decide or find anything under $2000 that is fun to drive.

At 2000, its hard to find anything fun.

 

[Quad]

Thanks! that clears up a lot of confusion
but is there a certain type of certification i should be looking for? or can the seller take the car to any mechanic and get it certified? what if the mechanic is a friend of the seller and fibs on the certification?

Thanks again

 

[jagr10]

Originally posted by: SSP

Originally posted by: mAdD INDIAN

Originally posted by: Quad
I see in a lot of used car ads around toronto that the car is "certified". What kind of certification should I be looking for? And how trustworthy and mechanically accurate are these certifications?

Thanks!

Hey what car are you looking at? I'm lookimng for something cheap as well but cant' decide or find anything under $2000 that is fun to drive.

At 2000, its hard to find anything fun.

Hey, he might be able to find one of those station wagons with the wooden panels! Just make sure you don't have any self esteem issues before you buy it. heh

 

[no0b]

Originally posted by: SSP

Originally posted by: mAdD INDIAN

Originally posted by: Quad
I see in a lot of used car ads around toronto that the car is "certified". What kind of certification should I be looking for? And how trustworthy and mechanically accurate are these certifications?

Thanks!

Hey what car are you looking at? I'm lookimng for something cheap as well but cant' decide or find anything under $2000 that is fun to drive.

At 2000, its hard to find anything fun.

You can find some high mileage cop cars (caprice or crown vic) with V8's in america for under $1500

But I dont know how its like in Canada.