Consumer Protection

Buy with Confidence

Ontario Legislation Protects Vehicle Buyers

Government legislation provides vehicle-buying protections when you purchase from an Ontario-registered dealer. In January 2010, this legislation was updated to provide additional consumer protections and rights when buying a vehicle, and now provides Ontarians with some of the most comprehensive protections in North America.

Four Key Areas of Ontario's Consumer Protection Legislation

Advertising: Advertisements must include the all-in price of buying the vehicle – no hidden fees.
Vehicle Disclosure: Dealers must tell you everything they know about the vehicle you are buying.
Rescission: If a dealer does not fully disclose a vehicle's information, you may be able to cancel the contract.
Financial Compensation: If you have a problem with a vehicle purchase, you may be eligible to apply to the Motor Vehicle Dealers Compensation Fund.

Buy Ontario-Registered for More Protection

You get consumer protection only when you buy from an Ontario-registered dealer. OMVIC regulates Ontario-registered dealers. Look for the blue and yellow Ontario-registered decal on dealership doors and windows. Private sales are not protected under legislation.

Learn how to find Ontario-registered dealers

What to look for in vehicle advertisements:

Dealer’s name and business telephone number
All fees, including freight and administration
Whether the vehicle was previously leased, a taxi/limo, a police cruiser or an emergency services vehicle
If there is a limited number of vehicles for sale, the ad must state how many are left

Dealers must disclose facts about a vehicle such as:

Replaced body panels
More than $3,000 accident damage
Repairs required to major vehicle systems
Manufacturer’s warranty cancelled
Inoperable ABS or airbags

Building Industry Confidence and Dealer Professionalism

Confidence in the industry will grow if dealers know what they are selling and consumers know what they are buying. Recent regulation is a step to enhance the reputation of Ontario's registered vehicle dealers. This legislation affects many areas of vehicle sales – it's the responsibility of dealers to understand their obligations under the new legislation.