As Ontario's vehicle sales regulator, OMVIC both provides consumer protection to Ontario’s car buyers and enhances industry professionalism among registrants. But let's dig a little deeper and find out the who, what, where, when and why of OMVIC.

OMVIC's mandate is to maintain a fair and informed marketplace by protecting the rights of consumers, enhancing industry professionalism and ensuring fair, honest and open competition for registered motor vehicle dealers.

To learn more, visit OMVIC's website.

Who is OMVIC?

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

When was OMVIC established?

OMVIC was created in 1997 by the then Ministry of Consumer and Commercial Relations.

Why was OMVIC created?

The Ministry created OMVIC to help maintain a fair and informed vehicle sales marketplace in Ontario by protecting the rights of consumers, enhancing industry professionalism and ensuring fair, honest and open competition for registered motor vehicle dealers. 

How does OMVIC carry out its mandate?

OMVIC protects the rights of consumers and enhances industry professionalism by:

• Providing free consumer inquiry/ complaint handling services to consumers in 150 different languages
• Maintaining strict dealer/salesperson registration requirements
• Inspecting all Ontario dealers (new and used)
• Educating registrants on their obligations under the MVDA and other consumer protection legislation and the public on consumer protection rights when buying from an OMVIC-registered dealer
• Investigating and prosecuting industry non-compliance and illegal sales (curbsiding)
• Administering the Motor Vehicle Dealers Compensation Fund – a consumer protection program financed by Ontario’s registered motor vehicle dealers

Where is OMVIC located?

OMVIC’s head office is in Toronto, but compliance staff (inspectors and investigators) are based across Ontario. Additionally, communications/education staff travel across the province to deliver educational programs and participate in industry events, and legal staff attend all Ontario courts to conduct prosecutions.

What is the Transaction Fee?

OMVIC receives no government funding. Its revenues are predominantly derived from dealer and salesperson registration fees and the $10 transaction fee. Here’s how it works:

Registered dealers must pay OMVIC $10 for each retail car sale or lease. This money is remitted annually along with the dealer’s regular renewal fee. While not all dealers pass the transaction fee on to their customers, it is allowed and many do.

Connect with OMVIC on social media!

    Ontario Motor Vehicle Industry Council

@omvic_consumers

   @omvic_official


   Ontario Motor Vehicle Industry Council


www.omvic.ca


  www.ontario.ca/page/consumer-protection-ontario