Canada’s largest automotive event is wrapping up in the next few days! The 2017 Canadian International AutoShow kicked off on February 17 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre and is concluding on February 26. That’s right – there’s only a few days left! Don’t miss out on the many exhibits at the AutoShow, including OMVIC’s booth (P223 on the 800 level) to test your car-buying IQ!  Speak with OMVIC staff and learn about the protections available when buying from an OMVIC-Registered Dealer. Don’t miss this great opportunity!

The 2017 Canadian International AutoShow kicks off this Friday, February 17 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre! Planning to attend the show? Be sure to stop by OMVIC’s booth (P223 on the 800 level) to test your car-buying IQ! The AutoShow runs until Sunday, February 26 so don’t miss out!

Andre N. Campbell has been sentenced to 50 days in jail for illegal vehicle sales. The Mississauga man was charged by OMVIC, Ontario’s vehicle sales regulator, with acting as a dealer without registration (curbsiding) and selling five vehicles between 2012 and 2014. “Each vehicle was a rebuilt write-off,” stated Tom Girling, OMVIC’s Director of Investigations. “The purchasers, who found the vehicles advertised online, were unaware of the true history of the vehicles."

Forrest Gump’s mama was right – “life is like a box of chocolates; you never know what you’re gonna get.” That wonderful, whimsical and yet profound insight seems to come to mind every February when the ubiquitous heart-shaped boxes of valentine chocolates make an appearance on store shelves. But anyone who has made a blind confection selection without careful examination of the legend that usually accompanies the red faux-suede boxes knows that looks can be deceiving. It goes without saying the square shaped chocolate-covered caramels were fantastic; but some candy makers would sneakily create other flavours in the same square shape – some with a medicinal orange flavour and others with a thick white mystery filling...

Last week’s blog post introduced the topic of leasing a new car in Ontario, laid out the different types of leases in the marketplace and defined five leasing terms you should know. As that post stated, a lease is a contract to “rent” a vehicle for a long period of time. Should your situation change due to relocation, job loss or discovering the vehicle no longer meets your needs (e.g. starting a family) it may be difficult and expensive to get out of a lease. But there are also upsides to leasing. Like most things in life, there are pros and cons. Let’s examine some of them…search and determine if leasing is right for you, before you sign the contract.

Whether you choose to lease or purchase your next new vehicle, it’s crucial to make an informed and educated decision. Failing to do adequate research BEFORE your lease or purchase can have considerable financial implications. So if you’re considering leasing a new vehicle, ensure you understand how leasing works and decide if it’s right for you…

 

Each year, OMVIC-Registered Dealers sell or lease approximately 1.2 million vehicles. The vast majority of transactions go well. But in those rare instances that something does go wrong, Ontario consumers can turn to the Motor Vehicle Dealers Compensation Fund for help. In 2016, OMVIC’s Compensation Fund marked 30 yearsof providing protection to consumers who suffer a financial loss as a result of a transaction with an OMVIC-Registered Dealer. The Compensation Fund is one of the key protections available to consumers who purchase from an OMVIC-Registered Dealer.

Buying a car can be a huge financial commitment and no one wants to end up with buyer’s remorse due to unexpected repairs or realizing soon after the purchase the vehicle had undisclosed accident damage. So it’s vital consumers exercise due diligence and take extra precautions when buying a used vehicle privately including...

Are you a motorcycle enthusiast? Or perhaps you’re considering a bike purchase in the near future? Do you know what your consumer rights are when buying a motor vehicle, including a motorcycle? Then stop by OMVIC’s booth at this weekend’s North American International Motorcycle SuperShow and get your questions answered! The show kicks off Friday, January 6 and runs until Sunday, January 8 at The International Centre in Mississauga. OMVIC’s booth is number 2914, located in Hall 2!

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”