Before you buy, remember the principle “buyer beware”. That, from the Regina Police Service which explains that as the buyer, you take on the risk and responsibility of checking to make sure what you bought really is what it was advertised to be.

The Police Service gives some examples of vehicle-related fraud and theft. Common scenarios include the odometer being rolled back and then sold privately for a profit, or vehicles where the Vehicle Identification Number has been tampered with or replaced. Regina Police advise that having the registration is not proof of ownership. In a recent investigation, the dollar loss was $45,000.

Advice from the police is to access reports and records, including searching for the VIN number on the Canadian Police Information Centre site or Carfax, or through a reputable auto repair shop which can access the VIN.