Guides

Used vehicle guides

Plain-language guides to checking a vehicle, buying with confidence, selling privately, and everything in between — written for Alberta.

VIN & decoding

Understand the vehicle identification number and what it reveals.

What each of the 17 characters means.

A plain-language primer for first-time buyers.

The checks that protect you from a bad buy — recalls, liens, condition, and history.

Find outstanding safety recalls before you buy.

Avoid inheriting debt on a used vehicle.

Signs a vehicle’s mileage has been rolled back.

A pre-purchase inspection checklist.

What to feel, hear, and watch for on the drive.

What crash-test scores mean and how to use them.

What title status means in Alberta.

The province-specific paperwork and requirements for buying and registering.

What to include so the sale and registration go smoothly.

What you need in place before you register in Alberta.

Negotiate well, finance sensibly, and sidestep the common scams.

Spot unlicensed dealers posing as private sellers.

How to get a fair deal, privately or at a dealer.

Loans, rates, and the pitfalls to watch for.

The frauds to know — and how to avoid each one.

Depreciation, cost, and risk compared.

Selling privately and keeping your vehicle road-ready year-round.

Prep, pricing, paperwork, and staying safe.

Getting a vehicle ready for an Alberta winter.