The Deputy Registrar of OMVIC has ordered the immediate suspension of Personal Touch Auto Limited, located at 747 Great Northern Road, Sault Ste. Marie, following serious consumer complaints and an inspection. As a result, the dealership cannot legally sell, lease, consign or buy vehicles.

Consumers are warned not to buy or lease vehicles from, or sell or consign vehicles to, Personal Touch Auto Limited or Gino Burzese while the dealer’s registration is suspended.

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 visuals supporting OMVIC’s TV message: Buying a car? The fun is back! Ontario made all-in price advertising the law for Ontario car dealers – no more hidden fees. All-in price advertising – it’s your right! 

Whether buying from a private seller or an OMVIC-Registered Dealer, OMVIC provides many informative services to help consumers ask the right questions during the car-buying process to protect themselves and make an informed purchase. OMVIC’s FREE Car-Buying Seminar is a service available throughout the province to consumer or community groups, first-time car buyers, new Canadians and students. 

A Stittsville man has been convicted of curbsiding (acting as a motor vehicle dealer without registration) under the Motor Vehicle Dealers Act (MVDA). OMVIC conducted an extensive investigation into the illegal vehicle sales of Soidan (Danny) Ismail (also “Ismal”). The investigation led to 29 MVDA curbsiding charges and an additional 30 charges under the Consumer Protection Act (CPA) for making false, misleading and deceptive representations regarding the history and condition of vehicles sold. Ismail was convicted on 19 of the charges and fined $40,000.

Effective April 1, 2017, light-duty vehicles, such as most passenger cars, vans and SUVs, no longer require a Drive Clean emissions test when sold or transferred.

Learn more about the latest Drive Clean program changes and what you can do before purchasing a vehicle to ensure it is free of emissions issues.

All-in price advertising has been the law for all Ontario car dealers for more than seven years! And yet, only 33 per cent of Ontario consumers know they are entitled to all-in pricing when buying a car; the other 67 percent are either uninformed or misinformed.

Live in Eastern Ontario? Thinking about buying or leasing a new car? Stop by the OMVIC booth (Level 2, Room 201) at the 2017 Ottawa-Gatineau International Auto Show and have your vehicle buying questions answered by OMVIC staff. You can even test your Car- Buying IQ!

Curbsiders are lying in wait in online marketplaces, ready to pounce on unsuspecting consumers. So if you’re purchasing a car in Ontario – Protect Yourself!

To mark Fraud Prevention Month, read OMVIC’s blog this week to learn about your car-buying rights and when they apply, and learn how to spot the telltale signs of a curbsider!

Purchased a vehicle from an OMVIC-Registered Dealer? Anxious to take delivery of the vehicle? Don’t let excitement take over completely – there are a few crucial steps to take to ensure your purchase goes smoothly right up until you drive off the lot Consider these 11 tips when taking delivery of your vehicle...

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…