Be sure to stop by the OMVIC booth, located in room 202 (level 2) at the 2016 Ottawa-Gatineau International Auto Show!  Have your questions answered by OMVIC staff and test your Car Buying IQ by taking OMVIC’s car buying quiz!

For those of you who are unable to join us:

What’s Your Car Buying IQ?

If a dealer’s advertisement includes a price for a car, you should know:

a. There is likely to be additional fees or charges that aren’t included in the advertised price

b. The advertised price must be all-in and the dealer can only add HST and licensing (or the cost of additional products or services you’ve asked for)

c. There are no rules around dealer advertising; it’s buyer beware!

The answer is “b”—the advertised price must be all-in and the dealer can only add HST and licensing. All-in pricing is the law! If an OMVIC-Registered Dealer advertises a price for a vehicle (new or used), the motor vehicle dealers act (MVDA) requires that the price include ALL fees and charges the dealer intends to collect. HST and licensing do not have to be included in the price if the advertisement clearly and prominently indicates they are not included.

WALK AWAY, shop elsewhere and report the offending dealer to OMVIC. It is important to note that OMVIC does NOT regulate vehicle manufacturers; therefore advertisements placed by manufacturers do not have to comply with the all-in pricing provision. That said, some manufacturers voluntarily comply with the all-in pricing provision and commendably provide transparency to consumers.

Don’t forget, the 2016 Ottawa-Gatineau International Auto Show runs from March 17 to 20, and OMVIC will be there! Visit our booth in room 202 (level 2). Can’t join us in person? That’s ok! Follow @OMVIC_Consumers on Twitter or omvic_official on Instagram to get instant updates during the show!