I want to buy a car from a used car dealer. What do I need to know?
Use this letter-writing tool to complain about a product or service.
Used car dealers must be registered with the Ontario Motor Vehicle Industry Council (OMVIC). When you buy from a registered dealer, you are protected by rules about how a car can be sold in Ontario.
Some examples of how the rules can protect you are:
- , which means they can't charge you any extra fees for the car, except taxes
- for up to 90 days if the dealer does not give you all the required information about the car
- access to the , which can give you some of your money back if something goes wrong with your purchase
- the dealer has to tell you everything about the vehicle's history, including accidents and maintenance
You do not have this protection when you buy a car from a private seller.
Registered dealers must give you basic information about the car they want to sell, including:
- the make, model, style, colour, and year of the car
- the total kilometres the car has been driven
- if the car was a rental car, police cruiser, taxi, or emergency services vehicle
- if the car is different now from its original design and features
- any other fact about the quality of the car that could affect your decision to buy it
The dealer must give you a written contract when you buy the car. This contract is usually called a purchase agreement. The contract must include:
- your name and address
- the dealer's registered name, registration number, and the business address
- the sales person's registered name and registration number
- the date of the sale and the date the car is delivered
- the VIN number (Vehicle Identification Number)
- information about the total price, including all charges and taxes, and
- any deposit or down payment you made, and the due
Consumer Protection Act
The Consumer Protection Act says that a dealer cannot make false or misleading statements about the car. Making false, misleading or deceptive statements in order to sell a car is known as an unfair practice.
If the dealer used an unfair practice to get you to buy the car, and you are within 1 year of when you signed the agreement, you can cancel it.