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The following are the
most common questions related to
consumer protection issues. If
your questions are not addressed
on this page, or if you still
have any doubts, please feel
free to
contact
OMVIC.
- I signed a contract and left a deposit. I don't want the car anymore, and the dealer won't give me back my deposit. What should I do?
- I placed a deposit on a vehicle but did not receive a bill of sale and now want my deposit back.
- Is there an automatic warranty when I buy a used car? What about the Safety Certificate?
- I would like to cancel my contract, how can I do this?
- Does a dealer have to provide a Used Vehicle Information Package if I buy a used car?
- I bought a car from a registered dealer, and I just found out that there is a lien on it. What are my options?
- I want my car declared a lemon.
- How can I find out the value of my used car?
- I want my car inspected. Where should I go?
- I feel that my car inspection was done improperly. Who do I contact?
1) I signed a contract and left
a deposit. I don't want the car
anymore, and the dealer won't
give me back my deposit. What
should I do?
What you signed is a legally
binding agreement. There's no
"cooling-off" or grace period to
change your mind. If
the dealer agrees to cancel the
contract, he is entitled to
keep part of the deposit – if not
all – as a result of the costs
already incurred in selling the
vehicle to you. These
non-recoverable costs are
commonly referred to as
"Liquidated Damages."
2) I placed a deposit on
a vehicle but did not receive a
bill of sale and now want my
deposit back.
The dealer will return
deposits, in any case,
where there is no signed bill of
sale, lease or finance contract.
3) Is there an automatic
warranty when I buy a used car?
What about the Safety
Certificate?
There are no automatic
warranty provisions in Ontario.
The
Safety Standards Certificate
is not a warranty. It just
means the car met a minimum set
of safety criteria on the day it
was examined. This certificate
is valid for a period of 36 days only.
4) I would like to
cancel my contract, how can I do
this?
In Ontario there is no
"cooling-off" period. However, a
consumer can cancel a contract
if the dealer did not disclose
certain information. Visit our
Helpful Information for Vehicle
Shoppers page for more
details.
5) Does a dealer have to provide
a Used Vehicle Information
Package if I buy a used car?
No. The intention of the
Used
Vehicle Information Package
(UVIP) was to protect consumers
from buying a car with a lien on
it from a private individual or
from a
curbsider. Even if you
are buying from a registered
dealer it is a good idea to get
one. The dealer may offer to
provide it, or you can obtain
one from the
Licensing Offices
of the Ministry of
Transportation (MTO) for $20. In
addition to information on any
lien, you'll find who the
previous owners of the vehicle
were.
6) I bought a car from a
registered dealer, and I just
found out that there is a lien
on it. What are my options?
This shouldn't happen. It is
the dealer's responsibility to
ensure the car is free and
clear of all liens.
Contact the dealer and ask him
to rectify the situation. If you
have no luck, please contact
OMVIC.
7) I want my car declared a
lemon.
There is no such thing in
Ontario. If required, civil
action – Small Claims Court, for
example – may be your best
option. If the car is a current
model, or up to four years old,
you may qualify for assistance
from
CAMVAP. However, this is
for problems with the
manufacturing, and not those
arising from a dealer's service.
8) How can I find out the value
of my used car?
If you're interested in
finding the value of your used
car, go to a public library and
check the Canadian Red Book.
This publication provides
guidelines only, and the amounts
shown should not be taken as a
must.
9) I want my car inspected.
Where should I go?
Under limited circumstances,
MTO will inspect your vehicle,
especially if a Safety Standards
Certificate has recently been
issued. Otherwise, have an
independent mechanic look at the
vehicle.
For more information on
transferring or registering a
vehicle in Ontario, the Highway
Traffic Act, the Safety
Standards Certificate, a list of FAQs and other pertinent
information, please access the
Ministry of Transportation's
Drivers and Vehicles information
page.
10) I feel that my car inspection
was done improperly.
Who do I contact?
If you feel that your
inspection was done improperly,
and you would like more information, please visit the
Ministry of Transportation's
information page.
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