Henry Chen · Sales and Leasing Executive · Maple Honda

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 July 15, 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, administration fee, fuel fill, and other mandatory dealer charges must already be included in an advertised all-in price. HST and licensing can be extra. The OMVIC transaction fee is currently $22 per vehicle if the dealer passes it through.

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 programs can include APR support, loyalty dollars, lease/finance credits, or bonus cash that vary by model, trim, and month. Don't accept "we have an offer running" without seeing the current program details for this exact vehicle.

Do I qualify for HFS Loyalty Dollars on this purchase?

Loyalty eligibility and dollar amounts change by program. Ask whether your current or previous HFS/Acura Financial Services account qualifies, and confirm the exact dollar figure in writing.

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

Some programs are tied to delivery or registration date, not just the signing date. Confirm the expiry condition in writing, especially if the vehicle is incoming or factory-ordered.

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

Ontario all-in price advertising requires the advertised price to include all mandatory fees except HST and licensing. The pre-tax contract total should match the advertised all-in price unless you chose optional add-ons.

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?

Honda Financial Services and third-party lenders can quote different APRs, terms, and approval conditions. Confirm the lender, final APR, term, total borrowing cost, and whether approval could change the rate before signing.

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

A bi-weekly payment and a monthly payment are not directly comparable. Compare the term, payment frequency, total number of payments, and total cost of borrowing before deciding which structure is cheaper.

Are there any penalties for paying off the loan early?

Honda Financial Services says its retail loans are open and can be paid out without prepayment penalties. If the lender is not HFS, ask directly whether any prepayment charge applies.

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

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

Residual value is the estimated lease-end value used in the payment calculation — for example, 55% on a $40,000 MSRP means $22,000. Allowed km/year is your mileage cap. Confirm the annual allowance and excess-km charge on the lease contract before signing.

For my trade-in: how was the trade-in value determined, and can the dealer walk me through how the number was built?

A real trade-in number is built from four parts: the current real-market transaction price for your specific vehicle (what similar units are actually selling for at auction right now), minus reconditioning cost (what it needs to be retail-ready — detail, tires, brakes, paint), minus dealership operating cost (floorplan interest, lot space, sales and reconditioning staff time), minus the dealer's profit margin. If the dealer can't show you each piece, the number is a guess.

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

For a typical personal trade-in to a dealer, HST is charged on the net amount after the trade-in allowance, not the full vehicle price. Check that the bill of sale shows the trade value and tax calculation correctly.

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?

Honda Financial Services advertises support for newcomers, new graduates, and international students, but approval is still lender-specific. Ask which lender is being submitted first and what documentation, rate, and conditions apply.

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?

If the dealer provides an estimate, treat it as a starting point. Get a real quote from your own broker or insurer before delivery, because premium differences can be meaningful on a new vehicle.

For my trade-in: if I get a higher offer from another dealer, will you match it?

Most dealers will match a documented competing offer in writing — this is often the single highest-leverage trade-in question you can ask. Get the matching commitment in writing, not a verbal promise, before you decide.

Will match in writing Won't match / 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)?

New Honda models carry the standard Honda Canada warranty stack. Used vehicles have their own remaining factory, CPO, or dealer warranty details — confirm the exact coverage before signing.

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

Honda Plus is the Honda-backed plan. Third-party extended warranties vary by provider, deductible, exclusions, and claims process, so read the contract before signing.

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

Honda Plus is priced by trim and term. Pricing changes — confirm the current number on honda.ca or ask your sales consultant before signing.

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

Compare the prepaid plan price against the Honda Maintenance Minder services you expect to use. It only makes sense if the covered services, term, transfer rules, and exclusions match how long and how far you plan to drive.

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

Walk-around for paint chips and scratches, interior scuffs, 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.

CPO exchange privilege confirmed New vehicle — no exchange

Is there any cooling-off or right-to-cancel period on this deal once I sign?

Ontario does not have a general cooling-off period for vehicle purchases — once you sign, the deal is binding. Separate MVDA cancellation rights can apply if the dealer fails to make certain required disclosures, and dealer return policies are optional. Ask in writing before you sign.

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

Start by trying to resolve the issue with the dealer, then file an OMVIC complaint if needed. If the dealer is registered, refuses or cannot resolve it, and your loss fits the Compensation Fund rules, the Fund may pay up to $45,000 per vehicle transaction. 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.