Henry Chen · Maple Honda · 4.8★ (3,993 Google reviews)

27 questions to ask before you sign for a Honda

Bring this to the dealer. The questions in the order they come up. Free PDF by Henry Chen, Maple Honda, Vaughan. Last updated June 25, 2026.

How to use this. Print or save as PDF. Bring it to the dealership. Walk through it in order. If the salesperson can't answer one of these on the spot, that's information too. If you want a second opinion after, text Henry at (647) 523-6878 and he'll run the comparison for you.

Section 1 — Pricing & the deal (9 questions)

What is the all-in price, and what is included in that number?

Asking "what's the out-the-door price" lets them gloss over $2,000+ in add-ons. The "all-in price" forces a line-item breakdown.

What are the line items between MSRP and the all-in price?

Freight, PDI, admin fee, OMVIC fee, tire/battery fee, fuel fill. Each one is negotiable in different ways. Some have caps (OMVIC caps admin at $499).

Has the dealer added any accessories or protection packages to the vehicle?

Nitrogen tires, paint protection, fabric protection, anti-theft etching, wheel locks, all-weather mats — frequently added without asking. Most can be removed without affecting the deal.

No accessories added Removed from deal Keep, total $__________

What is the current Honda Canada manufacturer incentive on this exact trim?

Honda Canada's monthly program includes APR, loyalty dollars, and bonus cash that vary by trim. Don't accept "we have an offer running" without seeing the official monthly sheet.

Do I qualify for HFS Loyalty Dollars on this purchase?

Loyalty dollars apply if you currently have or recently had an HFS lease or finance account. The amount varies by trim and resets monthly. Always confirm the exact dollar figure, not "yes you qualify".

When does this offer expire — and does it require delivery or just signing?

Most Honda Canada programs require delivery on or before the deadline, not just signing. The gap between sign and delivery can be 1-4 weeks and is the most common reason GTA buyers lose their incentive.

Is the OMVIC all-in pricing disclosure on the bill of sale?

Ontario law requires the advertised price to include all mandatory fees. The bill of sale should show OMVIC's "all-in" disclosure. If it doesn't, ask why.

Yes — shown clearly Missing — need to confirm

If this is a used / CPO vehicle: can I see the Carfax Canada Vehicle History Report?

Honda Certified Pre-Owned includes a Carfax VHR. Cross-shop the dealer's report against carfax.ca — the dealer's report should match. Ask for a fresh pull, not a 90-day-old cached one.

If CPO: is the remaining Honda Canada powertrain warranty transferable, and what is the in-service date?

Honda CPO gets 7 years / 160,000 km of powertrain coverage from the original in-service date, not from the CPO sale date. The clock started when the first owner took delivery.

Section 2 — Financing, trade-in & insurance (10 questions)

What is the actual APR I will pay, and is it Honda Financial Services or a third-party lender?

Manufacturer rates (Honda Financial Services) are usually better than third-party rates. Confirm the APR is locked, not "subject to credit approval" with a higher default rate.

What is the term in months, and is bi-weekly or monthly payment structure?

A 60-month finance at $X bi-weekly is not the same as a 60-month finance at the same $X monthly. Honda Canada's bi-weekly structure pays down faster — the math works in your favour.

Are there any penalties for paying off the loan early?

Most Honda Financial Services loans are open — no early-payoff penalty. Confirm in writing. Closed loans (some third-party lenders) charge 1-3 months of interest.

Open loan — no penalty Closed loan — penalty: $__________

If this is a lease: what is the residual value, money factor, and allowed km/year?

Lease math is governed by these three numbers. A $0.00099 money factor on a 36-month lease with a 55% residual is a specific deal — not "the lease rate".

For my trade-in: how was the trade-in value determined, and is it the wholesale book value or a current auction number?

Wholesale book (Black Book / Canadian Red Book) is a starting point. Auction prices are a real number for that vehicle right now. The dealer should be able to show you the source.

For my trade-in: am I getting the Ontario HST credit on the trade?

When you trade in a vehicle, the HST is calculated on (new price − trade value), not on the full new price. Some dealers don't apply this automatically — confirm it's on the bill of sale.

HST credit applied Need to confirm

If I'm a newcomer on a work or study permit: which lender is most likely to approve me, and what's the realistic rate?

HFS has a newcomer program but it doesn't approve everyone. Honda dealer F&I offices also work with second-chance lenders and newcomer-friendly banks. Ask which one they're submitting to first.

What is the gap insurance cost, and is it required to take the deal?

Gap coverage pays the difference between what you owe and what the car is worth if it's totalled. It's a real product, not a scam — but it's never required to take a deal, and you can shop for it outside the F&I office.

What does the insurance quote look like? Have you called my broker or is this a generic estimate?

The dealer can run an estimate through their partner broker. Get a real quote from your own broker too — the difference is often $300-$1,000/year on a new vehicle.

Will the financing be portable if I move provinces or out of Canada during the term?

Some F&I offices will quietly add a portability clause that lets them charge an early-payoff fee if you leave Ontario. Honda Financial Services standard contracts are portable across Canada.

Portable across Canada Need to confirm

Section 3 — Warranty, delivery & OMVIC rights (8 questions)

What is the Honda Canada new-vehicle warranty (3yr/60,000 km comprehensive, 5yr/100,000 km powertrain)?

All 2026 Honda models carry the standard Honda Canada warranty stack. Confirm it's written on the bill of sale, not just in a brochure.

Is there an extended warranty being offered, and is it Honda Plus or a third-party?

Honda Plus is the OEM-backed plan and is the safer choice. Third-party extended warranties (used-car-dealer style) often have high deductibles and limited coverage. Read the exclusions list before signing.

If buying Honda Plus: what is the price, term, and deductible?

Honda Plus is priced by trim and term. A typical Civic Honda Plus 5-year / 100,000 km extension runs $1,200-$1,800 with a $0 deductible. Anything significantly higher is negotiable.

Maintenance plan: is Honda Care being offered, and what does it cover?

Honda Care covers scheduled maintenance (oil changes, tire rotations, fluid top-ups) for a fixed term. Math: total cost vs. paying per service. Usually pays off if you keep the car past year 3.

At delivery: what should I check on the vehicle before accepting?

Walk-around for paint chips and scratches, interior scuffs, tire date codes (DOT number on sidewall), fuel level, odometer reading. Honda Canada's pre-delivery inspection should already cover this — confirm.

At delivery: do I have 7 days / 1,000 km to exchange if I find an issue (CPO only)?

Honda Certified Pre-Owned includes a 7-day / 1,000 km exchange privilege. The new vehicle equivalent does not exist as standard — some dealers offer it, most don't.

CPO exchange privilege confirmed New vehicle — no exchange

What is the OMVIC 10-day cooling-off rule, and does it apply to this deal?

Ontario dealers must give you a 10-day right to cancel a vehicle purchase agreement, with specific conditions. This is in addition to any dealer-side return policy. Find the OMVIC disclosure on the bill of sale.

If something goes wrong after the sale: what is the OMVIC complaint and compensation fund process?

OMVIC regulates Ontario dealers and runs the Compensation Fund. If a dealer defrauds you or a transaction goes wrong, the Fund can compensate up to $45,000 per claim. Keep all paperwork.

Want a second opinion after the deal?
Send the printed form to Henry and he'll run the comparison for you at no charge.

Text 647-523-6878

Disclaimer. This checklist is for educational purposes and is Henry Chen's personal dealer-floor reference, not legal or financial advice. Honda Canada's warranty and incentive terms change monthly; confirm current terms with your dealer or at honda.ca before signing. OMVIC rules are summarized; for full Ontario consumer rights, see omvic.on.ca. Prices, APR, and incentives reflect the Canadian market at time of writing (June 2026) and may vary by province and trim.