Owning a vehicle in Ottawa is almost essential. For example, if you live in places like Gatineau, Napean, Kanata, Kempville, or Cornwall, it can be hard to get around without your own set of wheels!
Fortunately, the Canadian used car market is very robust. So if you're looking for affordable cars in Ottawa, you have options.
How do you find a great car deal with Canada Drives?
If you're in search of great car deals, visit Canada Drives. We have built a nationwide network of hundreds of certified dealership partners that specialize in easy car loans for any credit. They carry a wide range of vehicles and often have fantastic clearance incentives throughout the year.
With Canada Drives you can get pre-approved for your car loan online in minutes, regardless of your credit score or income level. We'll then pair you with a local dealer partner who will review your finance options and show you all the vehicles and deals you qualify for. You just pick the one you want and drive away!
Where are the best cheap used cars in Ottawa?
In Ottawa, there are thousands of used cars for sale at any one time. Many of those are in the range you’d consider a cheap used car, from $3,000 to $15,000. The various locations you’ll find cars listed run the gamut.
Autotrader
Of the sites listing used cars for sale, Autotrader is one of the most popular. Typically containing more than half a million listings nationwide, Autotrader has many options to choose from. While diverse listings are a positive aspect, this site is notorious for sellers who don’t honour the price they advertise the vehicle for. It’s also inundated with premium listings that may be masking the gem you’re looking to buy, and Autotrader doesn’t offer financing.
Facebook Marketplace
One of the most recent additions is Facebook Marketplace where you can browse through free vehicle listings. There are thousands of vehicles listed, but it’s definitely not user-friendly to sort through those listings. As well, there’s no guarantee that the details on the ad are true and accurate, and there’s always a chance the listing is a scam. Financing the vehicle is completely up to you to organize separately.
Kijiji
Canada’s favourite classifieds website is Kijiji where you can buy and sell virtually anything. That includes used cars by the thousands. It’s relatively easy to search the listings for the model or details you want, but there are hiccups for Kijiji also. Like Marketplace, many ads are fake with the intention to scam you. And like Autotrader, there’s a trend where the listed price isn’t the actual price you’d have to pay. Kijiji also doesn’t offer any financing services.
Used car dealerships
It might surprise you to learn that private used car sales aren't the only place to look. Across the internet (including the platforms mentioned above), you’ll find vehicles listed by dealerships. Dealerships have a responsibility to provide accurate details and are accountable for them. The vehicles are also professionally inspected and serviced. Unfortunately, if you have bad credit, some dealerships may not be equipped to take care of you well. Also, you'll often be charged various dealership fees, so make sure you're clear about this before you sign any paperwork.
Canada Drives
Canada Drives specializes in helping Canadians with bad credit or no credit get approved for auto financing. You can complete the simple online application in under 3 minutes to see what vehicles you qualify for.
The dealerships that Canada Drives has partnered with carry a wide variety of used and new vehicles, many different makes and models, and a full range of prices and monthly payment options.
With hundreds of dealer partners across the country, Canada Drives has access to one of the largest combined inventory of cheap cars available.
What to look for when buying a cheap used car
No matter how much or how little you’re looking to spend, you need your car to be reliable. Certain things should be on your checklist for a cheap used car including:
- A vehicle history report such as CARFAX. A VHR identifies any red flags like title issues, major accidents, or gaps in history that you may want to walk away from.
- Warranty included or available. Unless you’re ready to pay for costly repairs, you’ll want a warranty on your used car. Find out how much factory warranty is remaining and price out extended warranty options.
- A vehicle inspection. Make sure the car has been checked over and safety certified by a licensed technician. But you should personally look for warning signs like rust spots, dents and dings, mismatched paint, leaks under the car, and unusual wear on tires. This is especially important if you decide to buy from a private seller who will probably not provide a CARFAX or inspection report.
Should you pay cash or finance?
The average Canadian family has just $852 in their savings account, making it unlikely you’ll be paying cash for your car. And even if you have the cash available to you, a car is a purchase that depreciates quickly – smart money is invested to earn interest, especially if a low-interest car loan is an option.
Financing a car gives you the financial flexibility to put your money to work in other ways. Other advantages of an auto loan include:
- You get to decide how much your monthly payment will be.
- You do not have to provide any collateral (besides the vehicle itself).
- You can get approved without a down payment.
- Your credit score will improve thanks to positive payment history.
- You'll own the car at the end of the term (compared to leasing).
Why should you get pre-approved for a car loan?
When you’re planning to buy a car, getting pre-approved for a car loan can make the process smoother, cheaper, and less stressful. Pre-approval means a lender reviews your credit and finances ahead of time, giving you a clear idea of how much you can borrow and what your interest rate will be.
Here are the main benefits:
1. Clear Budget & Better Planning
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You’ll know your exact loan amount, interest rate, and estimated monthly payment.
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This helps you shop with confidence, avoiding cars that don’t fit your budget.
2. Stronger Negotiating Power
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Dealers see pre-approved buyers as serious and ready to purchase.
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You can negotiate based on the actual price of the car instead of getting caught in “monthly payment” sales tactics.
3. Faster, Stress-Free Buying
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Since your financing is already lined up, the dealership process is much quicker.
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You spend less time waiting for credit approvals and more time focusing on the right car.
4. Confidence & Peace of Mind
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You know your financing is secure before you even step on the lot.
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That peace of mind makes car shopping far less stressful.
You can get pre-approved for you car loan today with Canada Drives. It only takes 3 minutes to see what deals are available in your area.
