Buying Guide · April 1, 2026 · 6 min read
Before buying any used car in Calgary, walk through this inspection checklist. It only takes 20 minutes and can save you thousands in surprise repairs.
Look for rust along rocker panels, wheel wells, and underneath (Alberta road salt damage). Mismatched paint or panel gaps suggest collision repair.
Check all power features, heated seats, A/C, heat, infotainment, seatbelts, and odometer. Excessive wear vs. mileage suggests odometer tampering.
Check oil colour (golden brown is healthy, black/gritty is bad), coolant level and colour, transmission fluid (pink is healthy), and look for leaks or burnt smells.
Test cold start, listen for knocks, check steering pull, verify smooth shifts, test brakes for pulsing, and drive on highway to check vibration at 100 km/h.
Verify VIN matches dashboard and door jamb. Request Carfax, mechanical inspection report, and out-of-province inspection if applicable.
If a seller refuses an independent mechanical inspection, walk away. AMVIC-licensed dealers in Calgary must allow inspections.