Buying a Vehicle

Buying a vehicle in Ontario can be an ordeal. If you are buying from a licensed dealer, here are some pointers about legal protections you can rely on.  If you are buying from a private seller, the protection is not the same.

If you are buying from a licensed dealer you have the right to know:

• The make, model, year and other information identifying the vehicle as required by law

• The total mileage of the vehicle

• If the vehicle was used as a rental car, a police cruiser, an emergency services vehicle, a taxi, or a limousine

• Together with other information required by law

All of the required information must be in a written contract and the contract has to be clear about the price. Usually the dealer will prepare a purchase agreement or a lease to satisfy these requirements.

Once you have signed the contract it is final and there is no “cooling off period”. You cannot avoid the contract because you changed your mind or because your situation changed. However, you can avoid the contract for up to 90 days after you receive possession of the vehicle if the dealer did not tell you:

• The total mileage of the vehicle

• The make, model, or year

• That the vehicle was used as a daily rental, police cruiser, emergency services vehicle, taxi, or limousine

• The vehicle was ever qualified as irreparable, or salvage

When dealing with consumers, dealers are not permitted to use unfair practices including making false, misleading, or deceptive statements. If the dealer used unfair practices, you can stop the contract up to one year after you signed it.

If there is a problem you cannot resolve with the dealer, you can file a complaint at the Ontario Motor Vehicle Industry Council their website is https://www.omvic.on.ca.