It is commonly held that Black Friday – the day of mega-amazing colossal unbelievable can’t-be-beat blow-out sales signifying the unofficial start of the Christmas shopping season – is so named as it marks the point many retailers turn a profit for the year, going from being “in the red” to being “in the  black.” The more cynical might argue it's consumerism run amuck and a black mark on our society, and perhaps for good reason.

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...

 

Each year, OMVIC-Registered Dealers sell or lease approximately 1.2 million vehicles. The vast majority of transactions go well. But in those rare instances that something does go wrong, Ontario consumers can turn to the Motor Vehicle Dealers Compensation Fund for help. In 2016, OMVIC’s Compensation Fund marked 30 yearsof providing protection to consumers who suffer a financial loss as a result of a transaction with an OMVIC-Registered Dealer. The Compensation Fund is one of the key protections available to consumers who purchase from an OMVIC-Registered Dealer.

Whether shopping for a vehicle privately or from an OMVIC-Registered Dealer, consumers should take steps to protect themselves; and one of the key steps is to take a thorough test drive.

In many instances, taking a short drive around the block or a quick spin in the parking lot just won’t cut it. To get the most out of a test drive, OMVIC suggests consumers follow these tips...

Heading off to college or university and looking for a cheap set of wheels? If you're searching in the private automotive jungle remember, consumer protection laws in Ontario  don't apply to private vehicle purchases. Should something go wrong with a private car purchase, consumers are basically on their own with little recourse other than the court system.

Although changes to the safety inspection standards have been implemented, “as is” disclosure obligations remain unaltered. As such, “as is” disclosures must still be made on both contracts and advertisements.  In addition, dealers are still responsible to make all mandatory disclosures about the history and condition of the vehicle, in writing, even if the vehicle is being sold “as is.”