IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR CONSUMERS

Due to the serious risks posed by the COVID-19 virus, OMVIC’s head office is closed to visitors and staff are working remotely.
Consumers who need to contact OMVIC’s Complaints and Inquiries team can still receive assistance by emailing consumers@omvic.on.ca.

OMVIC’s website will be updated as the situation changes.
We apologize for any inconvenience during this unprecedented health crisis and thank you in advance for your patience and understanding.

OMVIC Protects Ontario Car Buyers

As the regulator of motor vehicle sales in Ontario, 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. This is achieved by:

Registering all dealers and salespeople
Inspecting all Ontario dealers (new and used)
Providing free complaint concilliation to consumers

Delivering education/awareness programs
Investigating and prosecuting industry non-compliance and illegal sales (curbsiding)

Tips for Buying Online or Remotely

Some dealers provide services that allow “remote customers” to purchase/lease vehicles online – with no visit to a dealership and the vehicle delivered to the purchaser’s (or lessee’s) door. Other dealers will bring a vehicle to a customer’s home or office for a “remote test drive”. Buying a vehicle remotely (sight unseen, with no physical inspection or test drive) or arranging for a remote test drive, requires consumers to be educated and take appropriate steps to ensure the transaction goes smoothly.

To help, OMVIC has created 13 tips for online and remote buyers

Introducing the OMVIC Academy

The OMVIC Academy is an educational resource with instructional videos and a downloadable Car-Buying Guide that teaches students how to become confident car-buyers. Each video is 2-3 minutes long. Topics include: Understanding All-in Price Advertising; Long-Term Loans and Negative Equity; The Dangers Posed by Curbsiders; Consumer Rights when Buying from a Registered Dealer and How to Protect Yourself When Buying Privately. These five lessons in car-buying are a must for any “Padawan” eager to know his or her rights!

OMVIC Academy Video - 1 All-in Price Advertising	OMVIC Academy Video - 2 Negative Equity	OMVIC Academy Video - 3 Curbsiders	OMVIC Academy Video - 4 Buying from an OMVIC-Registered Dealer	OMVIC Academy Video - 5 Buying from a Private Seller

The students learn what fees must be included in a dealer’s advertised price.	The class holds an intervention and Timmy learns an important lesson about the dangers of long-term loans.	Professor OMVIC isn’t acting like himself and gives the students strange advice about buying a car privately. Should they trust him?	It’s classmates vs. classmates in a Feud to determine who knows the most about buying from a registered dealer.	Roleplaying-the class helps Justin prepare for an appointment with a private seller. Will he remember the right questions to ask?