From time to time, we feature a consumer question on the OMVIC blog, like this one, “If I sell a car by myself, or put it on Kijiji, does that make me a curbsider?

The simple answer is no—selling a car does not automatically make someone a curbsider. Anyone is entitled to sell his or her personal vehicle—that is, a vehicle that was purchased and owned for personal, family or household use. Curbsiders are in the business of selling cars. While they usually pose as private sellers, they buy cars, not for personal use, but to resell.

 

So, you think you've found a nice used car. No accidents, good price…and only 131,000 kms. Roxy (not her real name) thought so too. Which is why in early 2019 she contacted the private seller and paid him $5,400 for the car. 

Unfortunately, the seller turned out to be a curbsider, an illegal, unlicensed dealer posing as a private seller, and the car—well, apparently it had discovered the fountain of youth, because it actually had more than 230,000 kms on it. 

Curbsiders often sell vehicles that are undisclosed rebuilt wrecks or odometer-tampered,” said John Carmichael, CEO and interim Registrar of OMVIC, Ontario’s vehicle sales regulator.  "And we have recently seen a significant uptick in the number of vehicles with rolled-back odometers sold by curbsiders.

 

At two a.m. on Sunday, November 3rd, Daylight Savings Time will officially end. We mark this event by turning our clocks back and getting in one more hour of sleep.

Only Daylight Savings Time–and of course, Cher–can turn back time, but there is a nefarious group who also tries to do it: curbsiders– illegal, unlicensed vehicle dealers who roll back odometers to increase the value of the vehicles they’re selling. 

To Steven Byrd, the pursuit of excellence has always been a team effort. 

As a result of charges laid by OMVIC, Ontario’s Vehicle Sales Regulator, a Windsor auto repair business and its owner, received significant fines for illegal vehicle sales.

Did you know that OMVIC regulates motorcycle sales as well as car, RV and light truck sales?

If you’re considering hugging the curb and embracing clear blue skies this summer, then getting acquainted with your rights as a motorcycle-buyer is a very good start.

Each day, OMVIC staff field calls and emails from car and motorcycle buyers seeking clarity on their rights as a consumer. As a motorcycle-buying consumer, you have certain rights.

A Markham area man has been charged after allegedly trying to sell a car with a rolled-back odometer to an undercover shopper from OMVIC, Ontario’s vehicle sales regulator. The charges came just weeks after 34 charges were laid against the man for the same alleged activity.

Arif Adnan Syed, 36, of Markham, is charged with curbsiding (acting as a dealer without registration) in violation of the Motor Vehicle Dealers Act (MVDA) and with committing an unfair business practice (making a false, misleading or deceptive representation), in contravention of the Consumer Protection Act (CPA). Note: All charges are currently before the court; they are only allegations until proven.

 

March is Fraud Prevention Month, as such OMVIC is reminding consumers to beware of curbsiders; illegal unlicensed dealers who often pose as private sellers. Some operate from small automotive businesses (repair shops, rental companies, etc.). Others spend their time behind a computer screen, lying in wait in online marketplaces, ready to pounce on unsuspecting consumers. In fact, 25% of online private vehicle sale ads are 'actually' placed by curbsiders.

Buying a vehicle, whether new or used, can be confusing—perhaps even intimidating. And while the thought of acquiring a new vehicle is exciting, the process can be stressful. So if a consumer is about to enter into the car-buying process feeling unprepared or ill-equipped, The OMVIC Academy has resources that will ensure they are entertained as they become confident and informed car buyers.

February is for lovers. February 14^this the most romantic day of the year for couples (and maybe the most oppressive day of the year for singles), but did you know about the other special days in February celebrating different kinds of love? February 5^th is National Weatherman’s Day, the 26^th is “tell a Fairy Tale Day” and the 15^th is the “International Day for Car Lovers.”

OMVIC has been providing consumer protection to Ontario’s car buyers for over 20 years, but not everyone knows OMVIC's mandate and how it is carried out. To help explain our mission, we created a quick reference guide.

As we slip into the driver’s seat and head out on the road in 2019, let’s look back in the rear view one more time. 2018 saw OMVIC on the road educating consumers about their buying rights and promoting industry professionalism by ensuring dealers and salespeople were informed of the regulations governing vehicle sales in Ontario.  

OMVIC, Ontario’s vehicle sales regulator, is warning consumers not to purchase vehicles from Arif Adnan Syed, Hafsa Nasser or Syed’s company, Euro Premium Auto Ltd. Note: Euro Premium is not a registered dealer.

OMVIC believes Syed and Nasser are curbsiders — illegal, unlicensed dealers. Operating from a home in central Unionville, the couple are allegedly buying high mileage vehicles and then, posing as private sellers, offering them for sale on Kijiji. The odometers of many of the vehicles sold have been rolled back by significant amounts — in some cases, 200,000 to 300,000 kilometres.

 

A former Scarborough car dealer, Min Tian o/a Nice Auto Sales, pleaded guilty to retaining an unregistered salesperson, contrary to the Motor Vehicle Dealers Act (MVDA), and was fined $12,500. Tian was charged by OMVIC, Ontario’s vehicle sales regulator, for allowing her husband, Zhijun Wang, to use her OMVIC Registration and ID to gain access to wholesale vehicle auctions where he purchased numerous vehicles. Many of the vehicles were then sold with rolled back odometers or altered VIN’s. Wang was also charged by OMVIC for acting as an unregistered salesperson: he was convicted and fined $25,000

 

 

 

Buying a new car can, and should be, a very exciting experience. When buying a used vehicle, consumers really only have two options: buy from a dealer/salesperson or buy privately. But remember, car-buyers are only protected by Ontario’s consumer protection laws when they purchase a vehicle from an OMVIC-Registered Dealer and therefore must take extra care when buying privately.

Thinking about decking the driveway with a new set of wheels this holiday season? Before you go dashing all the way to the dealership or checking out the nice and naughty list in the online car classifieds, find out if you’re a Dasher, or Blitzen? Take OMVIC’s ‘smart’ car buyer quiz to find out:

Jack-o-lantern flames gutter in a chill wind. Discordant music echoes from once serene suburban houses. Lights strobe disorientatingly. Macabre figures adorn once neatly pruned trees. Grave markers appear with eerie and disturbingly piled leaves on lawns that were just yesterday pristine. Eyes narrow….senses heighten.  Ah yes…Halloween.  A time for fear….and fun. The little kids get 2 hours of costumed candy collection; and the bigger kids (i.e. most of us) break out our favourite horror films. So many of us love to get scared. There’s a visceral reaction to it – it awakens our primal “fight or flight” response.

OMVIC is celebrating its 20^th anniversary of providing consumer protection to Ontario’s car buyers, but not everyone knows about this regulator, what they do and how they can help.

Dealers in Ontario are required to include the following statement on the contract of any vehicle sold “as is”:

“The motor vehicle sold under this contract is being sold “as-is” and is not represented as being in roadworthy condition, mechanically sound or maintained at any guaranteed level of quality. The vehicle may not be fit for use as a means of transportation and may require substantial repairs at the purchaser’s expense. It may not be possible to register the vehicle to be driven in its current condition.”

Buying a car can be an emotionally charged experience with long-term financial implications. Smart consumers know a purchase of this importance requires research, knowledge and careful deliberation. OMVIC’s “Road to Buying a Car in Ontario” infographic helps consumers ask the right questions during the car-buying process. 

All-in price advertising is the law in Ontario; a law meant to provide transparency to consumers and create a fair and level playing field for car dealers. Through OMVIC’s on-going consumer awareness efforts, the public is becoming more informed of the all-in pricing rules when purchasing a car from an OMVIC-Registered Dealer — but there is still some confusion…

The vast majority of consumer/dealer transactions go well. In those rare instances when problems arise, OMVIC’s Complaints and Inquiries Team provides information and services to help address the situation. These services are provided free of charge to all Ontarians.

Thinking about buying a camping trailer, motorhome, boat or ATV? It’s important to know your rights; and believe it or not, depending on what you buy (or whom you buy from) your rights, like your mileage hauling a 5^th wheel camper, may vary.

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.

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."

Buying a car can be a huge financial commitment and no one wants to end up with buyer’s remorse due to unexpected repairs or realizing soon after the purchase the vehicle had undisclosed accident damage. So it’s vital consumers exercise due diligence and take extra precautions when buying a used vehicle privately including...