Is it cheaper to buy privately or from a dealer in Saskatchewan?

Private sales skip the 5% GST and often have lower prices, but you get fewer protections and financing is harder. Dealers have to disclose a used vehicle's history and give you an SGI VIN search. Compare the total cost, including tax, of each option.

Do I pay PST on a used car in Saskatchewan?

Generally 6%. Qualifying private purchases within Canada are exempt when both the price and Red Book value are $5,000 or less. SGI collects applicable tax at registration and can confirm your transaction's treatment. Dealer purchases generally also have GST; ask for the written tax and trade-in calculation.

Someone who sells cars as a business while pretending to be a private seller. It's illegal in Saskatchewan to sell vehicles as a business without a dealer licence. Report suspected curbers to the FCAA at 1-877-880-5550.

Why did SGI charge me more PST than I paid for the car?

On a private sale, SGI charges PST on the price you paid or the vehicle's Red Book value, whichever is higher. If you got a great deal, the tax is still based on the book value. Check the value before you buy so it isn't a surprise.

Does a car from another province need an inspection in Saskatchewan?

Yes. A used vehicle last registered outside Saskatchewan has to pass a mechanical inspection before SGI will register it here. Budget for the inspection and any repairs.

Should I buy new or used?

A two- to four-year-old vehicle usually gives the best value, because someone else has absorbed the biggest drop in value. New vehicles sometimes come with lower manufacturer rates, which can close the gap.

When is the best time to buy?

Dealers often push harder to make sales near the end of a month or quarter. More important than timing: be approved first, know the total price you'll pay, and be ready to walk away.

Buying a Car in Saskatoon: How to Get the Best Deal

Get approved before you shop

The first question on most car lots is "what payment are you looking for?" Answer it and the conversation becomes about stretching the loan to hit that number, not about the price of the vehicle. Walk in already knowing what you're approved for, at what rate, and you can talk about the vehicle's price instead.

Approval first also stops you falling for something you can't finance. It's much easier to shop inside a number than to be talked down from one.

Shop the total price, not the payment

A lower payment isn't the same thing as a better deal. Here's the same $24,000 vehicle at 9.99%:

Term	Payment	You pay in total
60 months	$510	$30,589
84 months	$398	$33,458

The 84-month loan looks $112 a month cheaper and costs $2,869 more. When you compare offers, compare the vehicle price, the rate and the total of payments. The car loan calculator does the math.

Saskatchewan rules that protect you

Dealers have to be licensed. Anyone in the business of selling vehicles in Saskatchewan needs a licence from the Financial and Consumer Affairs Authority (FCAA). It's fair to ask to see it.
Advertised cash prices include mandatory dealer charges. Saskatchewan's drive-away price excludes taxes and financing charges, but includes mandatory fees and pre-installed products. Ask for a separate written financing total.
Advertised payments include interest. A payment in an ad has to include the cost of the financing.
Used vehicles come with disclosure. A dealer has to tell you if the vehicle was ever a taxi, police or emergency vehicle or used in racing, was a rental in the last 24 months, was registered outside Canada in the last 36 months or brought in for resale, or if the odometer is inaccurate, replaced or altered.
You get an SGI VIN search. Dealers selling used vehicles have to give you a current printed VIN search from SGI.

Watch for curbers. A curber is someone who sells cars for a living but poses as a private seller to get around the rules. Signs include a seller with several vehicles listed, a name that doesn't match the registration, or a meeting place that isn't their home. Report one to the FCAA Consumer Protection Division at 1-877-880-5550.

Sources: PLEA Saskatchewan, vehicle dealers and FCAA vehicle dealer disclosure rules.

Taxes and registration

Used vehicles generally carry 6% PST. Qualifying private purchases within Canada are exempt when both the purchase price and Red Book value are $5,000 or less. Other exemptions and transaction rules can apply; confirm with SGI before buying.

Private sale: no GST. You pay the PST at an SGI motor licence issuer when you register the vehicle in your name. SGI charges it on the price you paid or the vehicle's Red Book value, whichever is higher, so a bargain price doesn't always mean a bargain tax bill.
Dealer sale: 5% GST plus 6% PST. If you trade a vehicle in, tax is charged on the difference between the price and your trade-in.

The trade-in difference adds up. On a $20,000 vehicle with a $5,000 trade, tax on the difference is $1,650. With no trade, it would be $2,200.

If the vehicle was last registered outside Saskatchewan, expect SGI to require a safety inspection before you can register it. Ask the seller whether it has one.

Tax details from the Government of Saskatchewan and the FCAA. Confirm your own case with SGI or the dealer.

Make sure it's ready for a Saskatoon winter

The block heater works. Ask for the cord and plug it in.
The battery has been tested recently. A weak one won't start at -30.
It has winter tires, or you've budgeted for a set.
Heat and defrost work on every setting.
Remote start is nice to have, not a reason to pay more.

Buying privately

Run a lien search so you know nobody else has a claim on the vehicle. A lender's lien stays with the vehicle, not the seller.
Meet at the seller's home and check that the name on the registration matches their ID.
Pay for an independent mechanic's inspection. It's money well spent.
Get a signed bill of sale with the VIN, price, date and both names.
Pay with a bank draft once you have the keys and the signed paperwork. Never send a deposit to someone you haven't met.

Need a loan for a private purchase? See how private sale financing works, including the free SGI VIN search and the lien search.

Getting the most for your trade-in

Know what you still owe before you start. Your lender can give you a payout figure.
Get a couple of offers. Dealers value trades differently depending on what they need on the lot.
Settle the price of the new vehicle first, then talk about the trade.
Clean it inside and out, and bring both keys and any service records.

How Brenden helps you get the best deal

Brenden helps you apply for approval first, so you know your number. Then he helps you look for vehicles that fit it and makes sure you see the lender's written rate and total cost before you sign anything. If a deal isn't good, he'll say so.

How to buy a car in Saskatoon and get the best deal