If you’re about to purchase your first vehicle in Nova Scotia, you likely have a number of questions on your mind.
Particularly, you might be wondering “how long does it take to buy a car?”. We’ll discuss this in more detail, but rest assured that you can get ownership of a new vehicle quickly. Even if there are delays for some reason, it probably won’t take more than a couple of weeks.
Before buying a car, make sure to explore your insurance options first. This can be a little challenging – you need to find an insurance policy that’s comprehensive enough and fits your budget. A reputable online brokerage can help you evaluate various auto insurance policies from different insurers and find the best car insurance in Nova Scotia.
How long does it take to buy a car in Nova Scotia?
The car-buying process can last from just a few days to a couple of weeks. Here are the important things that affect the time taken:
- It all depends on how long you take to choose the model and work out the financing and insurance. If you have a poor driving record, finding an insurer that would approve your insurance might be a little difficult.
- However, a good insurance broker can still quicken the process and help you find a high-risk insurance provider.
- Similarly, if you have to secure external financing, it might include rounds of paperwork, which can depend from lender to lender and your own risk profile.
- Buying a used car would take longer than a new one, since you have to inspect it.
Steps to buying a car in Nova Scotia
While you’re here to find out “how long does it take to buy a new car?”, it’s hard to arrive at an exact answer. There might be delays in different steps of the buying process that can take a bit longer than expected. Let’s go through the steps to buy a car instead – it will give you a much better idea of how long it’s going to take.
Choose the car model
This usually takes time unless you already have a specific model in mind. Before you visit the dealership, consider your requirements carefully. Apart from your budget, you also need to decide on how many seats and how much trunk space you need. The fuel economy is also crucial, especially if you plan to drive the car regularly. Once you have set your requirements, you may narrow down your options and choose the suitable car model.
Researching the vehicle’s value
Now you have a car model of your preference, but you should ensure it’s worth the money. Researching a vehicle’s value shouldn’t be too difficult, thanks to the internet. Go online to check customer reviews and visit discussion forums. You’ll know whether people who own the vehicle are satisfied with it or have any complaints.
While you’re at it, you may also compare the vehicle against other models with similar features and compare the prices. This will help you better understand whether the model you chose indeed offers good value for money or if you can get a similar model at a lower price.
Visit the dealer and test drive the car
Once you are sure about the car model you are seeking to buy, visit a nearby dealer. Take the car for a test drive – this will help you decide if it’s indeed the right model for you. If you do not like the vehicle’s handling or any other feature, you may want to consider buying a different model.
For obvious reasons, a test drive is especially important when purchasing a used car. You’d want to make sure its existing condition is good enough. Consider taking a car expert with you on the test drive. They can evaluate the vehicle better and give you fair advice.
Third-party inspection (for used vehicles only)
A third-party inspection isn’t necessary if you’re buying a brand-new vehicle. However, it’s highly recommended to have a used car inspected by a mechanic before purchasing it. The mechanic can identify existing problems or issues that are likely to crop up in the future. Accordingly, you can further negotiate the price or look for a different car altogether.
Work out the financing
You may skip this part if you can afford to pay the full price right away. Otherwise, you must find a suitable car loan and plan your finances accordingly. Make sure you can safely afford the monthly installments. You also need to decide how much down payment you wish to make. Keep in mind that you’ll also have to pay for insurance.
Take care of the paperwork
You can now go ahead with the purchase and take care of all the associated paperwork. In Nova Scotia, you’re required to register a vehicle within 30 days of purchasing it. However, you’re not allowed to drive it without registering it beforehand, so it’s best to register the vehicle immediately after the purchase.
If you’re buying a used car, it needs a transfer of ownership. Check out Nova Scotia’s vehicle ownership transfer procedure and have the registration changed to your name. Not fulfilling the paperwork can put you in serious legal problems.
Get the vehicle insured
Lastly, the driving laws in Nova Scotia prohibit you from driving an uninsured vehicle. An automobile insurance policy is necessary to cover your medical expenses, third-party liabilities, and other costs in case of an accident. It’s best to explore your options and find a suitable insurance policy beforehand. This will enable you to weigh your options properly rather than buying the insurance in a rush.
Get in touch with a reliable insurance brokerage company. The leading ones work with many insurers, which means they won’t be recommending only a couple of insurance companies for the sake of commissions. Instead, they will consider your requirements and decide which insurance policy works best for you.
How long does it take to buy a car in Nova Scotia? — Endnote
Make sure you do enough research at each step of the buying process so that the overall time taken can be reduced. This means you need to get your car choice, insurer and lender sorted before you go out to buy a car.
