COVID-19 has altered how many of us get from A to B. With fewer people taking public transit, more people are looking to buy cars, but the purchasing process has changed.

In early April, dealerships were closed due to the pandemic. In May they reopened, but with strict public health guidelines, which altered the car-buying experience not just for dealers, but also for consumers.

If you’ve bought a vehicle in the past five months, OMVIC and consumer watchdog group—the  Automobile Protection Association (APA) — wants  you to take a short survey about buying a car during the pandemic.

If you complete it, you could win a prize!

Thanks to technology, driver assistance has grown by leaps and bounds. It keeps us safe, helps us park, saves fuel and even lowers emissions. But what happens when smart technology backfires? Who do you call? Who can help?

The following question from a consumer illustrates what can go wrong when a car has a defect and the dealership can’t fix it and the consumer doesn’t know where to turn. 

Buying a vehicle, whether new or used, can be confusing—perhaps even intimidating. And while the thought of acquiring a new vehicle is exciting, the process can be stressful. So if potential car buyers feel unprepared,The OMVIC Academy will  ensure they become confident and informed.

OMVIC's Complaints and Inquiries team get a range of car-buying questions. Because they know consumer protection legislation inside and out, they can answer your queries or direct you to the correct department. 

Here are two questions the team received last week about the importance of getting what you want from a dealer in writing.

OMVIC makes information about dealers and salespeople who have been charged public in an effort to fulfill its mandate of consumer protection and industry professionalism.  We are sharing the Ontario Provincial Police's news release about an ongoing investigation of a former OMVIC registrant.

While data from Léger, Deloitte and Angus Reid shows 1 in 2 Canadians are worried making in-person purchases and nearly 1 in 3 unwilling to make a large purchase, Ontario’s Motor Vehicle Sales Regulator, OMVIC, wants consumers who are in the market for a vehicle to know that they can safely buy from registered dealers. These businesses have stringent health and safety protocols in place to protect staff and consumers.
Most of the province’s more than 8,000 registered dealerships are fully up and running, following workplace health guidelines mandated by the Ontario government. 

 Taking delivery of a new car is exciting and emotional, but as emotional as it is, you must do your best to stay grounded and take the necessary steps to make sure your purchase goes smoothly.

By law, anyone who trades in vehicles in Ontario must be registered with OMVIC, Ontario’s vehicle sales regulator—that’s every car dealer and salesperson.

We know that not everyone is going to buy a vehicle from an OMVIC-Registered dealer—some may choose to buy from a private seller—but buying from a registered dealer is ‘the safer way’ because of what you're legally entitled to.

If you’re looking to purchase a late model used vehicle, chances are you’ve checked out some of the online auto marketplaces such as Kijiji, AutoTRADER or others. While there are a lot of legitimate vehicles available through these sites, there are also online scams you should watch out for.

The best way to protect yourself against scams is to educate yourself, ask lots of questions, and learn to recognize red flags.

 

Did you know that in addition to cars, light trucks and RVs, OMVIC also regulates motorcycle sales?

If you’re considering hugging the curb and embracing clear blue skies this summer,  getting acquainted with your rights as a motorcycle-buyer is a very good start.

 

Few among us can buy a car with little preparation. For most, purchasing a vehicle is a sizable investment that demands significant research. Before deciding on which vehicle best suits your lifestyle and budget, you should know what your rights are.

OMVIC’s website is chock full of useful information to help you learn your rights, whether you plan on buying a vehicle from an OMVIC-Registered Dealer or a private seller. But why not get your feet wet first with a few questions from our interactive car-buying quiz? Test drive your car-buying smarts before you start perusing ads or visiting dealerships.

The plaintive cry of a loon. The echoing rumble of an approaching storm. The shrill mating call of a cicada. The exasperated (and annoying) whine of three backseaters wanting to know “are we there yet?” Ahh, the heartwarming sounds of a Canadian summer. As Canadians, we cram as much into our short summers as possible; and we love our summer toys. We ATV. We camp. We boat. And why? Cuz there’s no wifi ‘out there,' but the connection is unforgettable.

Now a skeptic might define camping as a vacation where you spend a fortune to live like a pauper; but true believers know, campers have s’more fun. But putting those wonderful graham cracker, toasted marshmallow, melting chocolate campfire delicacies aside, if truth be told, camping or boating can be expensive – very expensive.

 

Vehicles that would have been completely unaffordable two decades ago are now financially accessible. Many consumers can buy the car of their dreams, with no money down, for a monthly, bi-weekly (or even daily) payment that has somehow become “affordable.” But how? Did cars get cheaper? Are we all significantly wealthier? Or is something else at play?

 

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…

What is a Lease?

A lease is a long-term car rental since you’re only paying for part of the cost of the vehicle; you don’t actually own the vehicle unless you decide to pay the remaining amount at the end of the lease term. This remaining amount is called the “residual value.” Lease agreements are for a specific duration (typically 24-60 months) with a set monthly payment. Leasing is available for new and used cars.

 

Educating consumers on their car-buying rights is an integral part of OMVIC’s mandate. OMVIC believes that an informed consumer is a protected consumer. With our educational resources available online, consumers can improve their consumer confidence while staying safely at home.