The Vehicle Sales Authority of British Columbia (VSA) has warned both consumers and dealers of an online car-buying scam that arrived just in time for the holiday season. A fake website was created, using the name and address of a legitimate and licensed car dealership in British Columbia; however, it is a website for a phantom dealership that shows a fake roster of employees and consumer testimonials.

Whether shopping for a vehicle privately or from an OMVIC-Registered Dealer, consumers should take steps to protect themselves; and one of the key steps is to take a thorough test drive.

In many instances, taking a short drive around the block or a quick spin in the parking lot just won’t cut it. To get the most out of a test drive, OMVIC suggests consumers follow these tips...

OMVIC, Ontario’s vehicle sales regulator, has recently heard from a small number of consumers who encountered problems when trading-in vehicles to a dealer. These consumers traded-in vehicles that still had money owing on them — loans that were to be paid off by the dealer as part of the financing of the consumers’ new vehicles. “Unfortunately the dealers did not pay off the loans immediately,” explained Laura Halbert, OMVIC’s Director of Compliance. “This left the consumers making payments on their new cars as well as on their trade-ins.”

OMVIC has launched a new Car-Buying Quiz to help consumers test their car-buying smarts.

This fun an interactive tool “drives” consumers down an information highway where they are quizzed on important car-buying topics including: All-in price advertising, the warning signs that help identify curbsiders and the amount of time (or lack of) to cancel a contract.

Car Shopping on Black Friday? Remember, buying from an Ontario-registered dealer does provide consumer protection, but a signed contract is still FINAL! There is “No Cooling Off Period”

Introducing OMVIC’s new interactive Road to Buying a Car in Ontario infographic! Whether buying from an OMVIC-Registered Dealer or a private seller, this step-by-step guide will help consumers ask the right questions during the car-buying process. Navigating from start to sold, the ‘how to roadmap’ identifies potential dangerous potholes and the detours consumers can make to ensure their next car purchase is a safe one!

Buying a car is one of the most expensive purchases a consumer will make in their lifetime. It is a transaction that requires thought, research and knowledge, which is why it is important that consumers educate themselves BEFORE entering into an agreement to purchase.

There are two benefits to trading-in your vehicle at the dealership; saving on taxes and on time. There are tax advantages (you'll only have to pay HST on the difference) and you save time and effort of having to sell it privately.

As adults, little is as exciting and yet equally fearful as the Halloweens of our childhood…with perhaps one exception – buying a car. In that acquisition many of us steel ourselves with the same heightened sense of “prepare for anything” as a nine year old on Halloween. Our fight-or-flight response is awakened; because this is, for most, a large purchase; it can be scary, and no wants to get stuck with a lemon.

One of the key pillars of protection offered to Ontario consumers who purchase from a registered dealer is the mandatory disclosure requirement. Ontario’s Motor Vehicle Dealers Act requires OMVIC-Registered Dealers to disclose in writing a vehicle’s past use, history and condition. For example, dealers must disclose incident or collision damage repairs exceeding $3,000.

Thinking about buying a car for your budding academic star? Or perhaps you’re a student looking to purchase a set of wheels to keep you coming home for the holidays? Visit OMVIC at the Maclean’s Student Life Expo this weekend, October 15-16 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre and have your car-buying questions answered by OMVIC staff!

Buying a car can be a huge financial commitment and no one wants to end up with buyer’s remorse due to unexpected repairs soon after purchase. That is why it’s vital consumers exercise their ‘due diligence’ before purchasing their next used vehicle – and in many cases, that means getting a pre-purchase mechanical inspection.

Making car-buying decisions based solely on a low monthly payment could be financially hazardous and is becoming a problematic trend amongst many consumers. When buying a car it’s important consumers are aware of the potential consequences of financing vehicles over extended terms (e.g. 84-96 months). In some instances, particularly if the consumer has bruised credit and therefore only qualifies for a high interest loan, stretching the repayment term out can result in paying more in interest than the actual purchase price of the vehicle. Consumers should ensure they are getting the finance terms they want and can afford.

There’s a growing trend amongst some consumers that may have unexpected financial consequences ‘down the road’. Known as Monthly Payment Junkies, these consumers ignore the potential pitfalls of financing a vehicle over an extended term such as 84-96 months and make their car-purchase decision based solely on a low monthly payment.

By now, you’re aware that all-in price advertising is the law for car dealers in Ontario. If a dealer advertises a price for a car (new or used), that price must include ALL fees and charges the dealer intends to collect, with the exception of HST and licensing. However research shows that a small minority of car dealers continue to add hidden fees or extra costs that exceed their advertised prices.

Ontario’s advertising regulations are clear: if an OMVIC-Registered Dealer advertises a price for a vehicle, that price MUST be all-inclusive with the exception of HST and licensing. Manufacturer advertisements don’t have to follow these rules, so it’s important to know whose advertisement it is you’re reading/viewing.

The Focus of OMVIC’s Annual Consumer Awareness Campaign!

A dog relishing a car ride; tongue lapping the air; fur flying in the wind – a sight that exemplifies simple joy; and it’s the imagery supporting OMVIC’s message: all-in price advertising – it’s putting the fun and excitement back into buying a car...and, it’s the law! The province-wide campaign utilizes TV, radio, online and social media advertising.

Ontario’s vehicle sales regulator, OMVIC, advises consumers and dealers that Club Autohaus Inc. located at 14 Stafford Drive, Brampton is no longer registered to buy, sell or lease vehicles.

Are cooling-off periods (i.e. an opportunity to cancel a contract and get back your money) the law in Ontario or simply urban myths? Test your consumer rights knowledge.

Many people want to sell their car but don’t want the hassle of posting a private ad or taking strangers for a test drive. It can be time-consuming and frustrating. For some, the answer is consignment: giving the vehicle to a dealer to sell but retaining ownership until the sale takes place. Consignment sales are especially common with unique vehicles such as motorhomes or classic cars.

Looking for something to do this weekend? Be sure to stop by the OMVIC booth at IMPORTFEST!  Learn more about your car-buying rights and have your questions answered by OMVIC staff!

Think you’re a pretty savvy car buyer? Understand dealer advertising? Let’s check; and find out if your consumer smarts are stuck in the first gear or set on cruise control.

Heading off to college or university and looking for a cheap set of wheels? If you're searching in the private automotive jungle remember, consumer protection laws in Ontario  don't apply to private vehicle purchases. Should something go wrong with a private car purchase, consumers are basically on their own with little recourse other than the court system.

Be sure to stop by the OMVIC booth at the Toronto Honda Indy this weekend, July 15^th to 17^th. Have your questions answered by OMVIC staff and learn about your rights when you purchase a vehicle from an OMVIC-Registered Dealer, in Ontario.

If you're looking to purchase a vehicle in Ontario, new or used, chances are you've checked out some of the online auto marketplaces such as Kijiji, AutoTRADER, Craigslist or others. While there are many legitimate vehicles available through these sites, there are also a number of sophisticated online scams you should watch out for.

Although changes to the safety inspection standards have been implemented, “as is” disclosure obligations remain unaltered. As such, “as is” disclosures must still be made on both contracts and advertisements.  In addition, dealers are still responsible to make all mandatory disclosures about the history and condition of the vehicle, in writing, even if the vehicle is being sold “as is.”

#DYK Since its creation on July 1, 1986, the Motor Vehicle Dealers Compensation Fund has paid out over 5 million in compensation to consumers. As the oldest and largest fund of its kind in Canada, the Compensation Fund offers the best protection for vehicle buyers in Ontario. Happy 30^th Birthday to the Compensation Fund!

OMVIC (Ontario Motor Vehicle Industry Council) is Ontario’s vehicle sales regulator. With a mandate to protect consumers OMVIC enforces the Motor Vehicle Dealers Act and other consumer protection statutes on behalf of the Ministry of Government and Consumer Services.

Thinking about buying a car? Want to see the newest models in a unique no-selling, no-pressure environment? Then plan a trip to Barrie this weekend!

Georgian College Auto Show – June 3–5

This weekend, June 3–5, North America’s largest outdoor auto show is being held in Ontario. The Georgian College Auto Show is 100% student run and it’s taking place at the college’s Barrie campus.

All-in price advertising is the law; a law meant to provide transparency to consumers and to create a fair and level playing field for dealers. Through past bulletins we’ve learned that if a dealer advertises a price for a vehicle (new or used), that price MUST include all fees and charges the dealer intends to collect.

But what are the other ‘advertising’ rules consumers should be aware of to stay protected?

The 2016 Ottawa-Gatineau International Auto Show March 17th to 20th

Looking for something to do in the Ottawa-Gatineau area this March Break? Be sure to stop by the OMVIC booth (Level 2, Room 202) at the 2016 Ottawa-Gatineau International Auto Show. Have your questions answered by OMVIC staff and test your car buying IQ!

The #CIAS2016  February 12th to 21st

Be sure to stop by the OMVIC booth P231, level 800 at the 2016 Canadian International AutoShow. Have your questions answered by OMVIC staff and maybe have some car buying myths busted!  

The Ontario Superior Court of Justice has overturned a decision of the Licence Appeal Tribunal (LAT) that ordered the provincial vehicle sales regulator, OMVIC, to grant a licence to a man convicted of firebombing New York State government offices.

Mehran Amini was sentenced to 450 days incarceration after being found guilty on two counts of curbsiding (acting as a dealer without registration) contrary to the Motor Vehicle Dealers Act and one count of engaging in an unfair business practice (related to odometer tampering) in contravention of the Consumer Protection Act. “This is the longest sentence handed out in Ontario for illegal vehicle sales,” explained Michael Rothe, Director of Legal Services for OMVIC, Ontario’s vehicle sales regulator.