Thinking about buying a car? Do you know what additional fees a dealer can add to an advertised price? Do you know exactly what a dealer must tell you about a vehicle’s past-use or condition? Do you know what protections are available if you choose to buy a vehicle privately? If you answered no to any of these questions, you probably need to sharpen your car-buying knowledge before signing any contracts or paying any deposits. So get educated – don’t get schooled. To help, OMVIC offers FREE Car Buying Seminars throughout the province to consumer or community groups, first-time car buyers, new Canadians and students, as part of its mandate to protect and educate Ontario consumers.

Topics Include:

• OMVIC’s role as industry regulator
• How to review dealer advertisements
• What dealers are required to disclose about a vehicle’s history and condition
• The danger posed by curbsiders (illegal, unlicensed dealers);
• The protections, or lack of, when buying from a private seller
• Understanding the car buying process
• Considerations when selecting a vehicle

OMVIC’s Car Buying Seminars also provide tips on how to research and ask the right questions before purchasing a vehicle either from a dealer or private seller including:

• Internet search the car you are interested in to establish an average selling price.
• Print or capture the advertisements of the vehicles you are interested in and bring them with you to the dealership. When  at the dealership, ask the dealer if the price advertised is all-in with the exception of HST and licensing. If the dealer intends to charge additional fees that are not agreed upon, walk away and call OMVIC.
• If you have a VIN (vehicle identification number) consider purchasing a history report. History reports can provide valuable information pertaining to a car’s past use that could influence your interest in purchasing it.
• Visit OMVIC’s website for more tips!

If your community group would like to host a FREE Car Buying Seminar, contact OMVIC’s Communications Team at

omvic@omvic.on.ca.