Dealers selling cars "as is" Cert + Etest Extra $$

[Nurse2B]

The last time I purchased a used car was about 5 years ago and I don't remember ever seeing dealers charging an extra $3-600 to Certify & E-Test the car. I'm looking to purchase another vehicle at the moment and I've come across a lot of dealers on Auto Trader writing something like this:

"Optional certification and e-testing available for $595. AS PER OMVIC REGULATIONS WE MUST WRITE vehicle is not driveable, not certified, and not e-tested. WE WELCOME YOUR MECHANICS APPROVAL PRIOR TO PURCHASE ON ALL OUR VEHICLES"

Does anyone know the reasoning behind why dealers are choosing to do this now? Here's one of the ads to give you a better idea:
http://www.autotrader.ca/a/Acura/TSX/TORONTO/Ontario/5_14133404_ON20071212111936155/

This definitely turns me away from even wanting to go view the vehicle but I'm still curious as to why I've seen it on quite a few ads during my search. Like I said I don't ever remember seeing this before, especially on the more expensive vehicles.

Thanks!

[gei]

The ONLY reason a dealer would add this information is because the car will NOT pass safety. There could be any number of issues (ie bad tires, brakes, alignment issues, etc)... or even bigger things.

[Pete_Coach]

The reason may be that it is a recent trade in and they cannot validate the car or they may have bought it off auction uncertified.
It costs them money to etest the car, same as you and, if it fails, they have to fix it. Same with the safety. At $595, they are figuring in the cost of the etest, the mechanics time to safety and any potential repairs. If you think you can do it cheaper, then you can save yourself money and do it yourself. That is the option.
Used car private sales are often exactly the same. Buy it "as is where is" for cheaper or if you want me to do it, then it costs you extra.
This is not new, for years I have seen many cars in dealers lots that are "as is where is". It is a way of selling the car cheaper. Some folks that are alittle handy are more than willing to take a car "as is where is" to save a few bucks.

[Anonymouse]

It has to do with OMVIC rules requiring that the full price of the car be advertised; they are not allowed to add unadvertised admin or documentation fees anymore. But they can advertise an uncertified car and charge you an excessive sum to certify it.

[mgdanderson]

The reason may be that it is a recent trade in and they cannot validate the car or they may have bought it off auction uncertified.
It costs them money to etest the car, same as you and, if it fails, they have to fix it. Same with the safety. At $595, they are figuring in the cost of the etest, the mechanics time to safety and any potential repairs. If you think you can do it cheaper, then you can save yourself money and do it yourself. That is the option.
Used car private sales are often exactly the same. Buy it "as is where is" for cheaper or if you want me to do it, then it costs you extra.
This is not new, for years I have seen many cars in dealers lots that are "as is where is". It is a way of selling the car cheaper. Some folks that are alittle handy are more than willing to take a car "as is where is" to save a few bucks.

Exactly!!! Dealership most often has taken the vehicle in on trade, it is more attractive to sell "as-is" if there are potential e-test / safety issues. For the consumer who is handy, or knows someone in the auto business they can more often then not get a vehicle at a more attractive price...

[Becky]

Interesting. Does that mean you cannot even take the car out for a road test? Doesn't even make sense!

[mgdanderson]

Interesting. Does that mean you cannot even take the car out for a road test? Doesn't even make sense!

Of course you will be able to take the car out on a road test, it would be under the dealership's liability. However when you purchase a vehicle "as-is" it will be clearly stated on the invoice, and your new ownership will state the vehicle is "unfit"

To the ministry this means the vehicle still needs to pass safety & e-test requirements before the mto will license it

[platinumtiger19]

So if i were to to buy a car "as is" will the MTO give me temporary plates so I can take the car in to get certified and etested? Or how else would I take it to the garage?

[ispiratica]

So if i were to to buy a car "as is" will the MTO give me temporary plates so I can take the car in to get certified and etested? Or how else would I take it to the garage?

Tow it or get the temp sticker from the MTO. It's a 15 day temp license you affix to your windshield and you have to certify your vehicle within that time. If you don't then the license expires but you can just use it to move it. Last I checked it was $15 for it and required a bill of sale completed and I think insurance too.

[Xiaohaibao]

So if they charge $X to certify, then just offer them $X less than you would pay if they included cert in the price.

[niroopg]

So if i were to to buy a car "as is" will the MTO give me temporary plates so I can take the car in to get certified and etested? Or how else would I take it to the garage?

Tow it or push it.

[niroopg]

The "Cert + Etest Extra" is a money making tactic to tag on $600 right at the end. Negotiate with the cert and etesting included (make it explicit) or negotiate it without it and when they start drawing up the contract, then pretend to walk away from the contract unless it is included in the cost ( act shocked at the add on). I opted for the latter the last time I bought a car - it works well.

It rarely has anything to do with the certifiable nature of the vehicle.