Revamped car dealer law protects buyers
Ontario’s recent move towards “all-in” pricing for both new and used cars should help weary buyers from getting hosed, say consumer advocates.
Car dealers often shift profit potential from one transaction to another. If a customer is set on getting a good deal on their trade in, the dealer may then choose to concentrate on inflating monthly payments, reworking the down payment, or simply reinventing the advertised deal.
But this might be changing.
Recent changes to the Ontario Motor Vehicle Dealers Act now mean that any price quoted in an ad must include all hard-to-track transaction charges such as freight, admin, pre-delivery inspections.
As well, licensed dealers must disclose if the daily special had a prior existence as an emergency vehicle, is a cast off from rental agencies like Hertz and Enterprise or has been in a major accident, which can lead to big repair costs in the future.
Unfortunately, unlicensed curbside dealers, who often sell rebuilt or flood-tainted wrecks disguised as bargains, aren’t included here. But nobody in their right mind buys a car off the lawn anyway.
If otherwise legit dealers fail to provide this key information, you can return the vehicle for up to 90 days from delivery for a full refund, including the value of any trade-in.
You may also have access to the Motor Vehicle Dealers Compensation Fund, which now provides up to $45,000 (up from $15,000) for customers dealing with issues like unpaid liens on a car they’ve bought or recovering the deposit on an undelivered vehicle.
Have you been caught out when buying a car? Will these new regulations make any difference?
By Gordon Powers, MSN Money
Posted by: havoc72 | Jan 23, 2022 4:24:23 PM
"nobody in their right mind buys a car off the lawn " wow it must be nice having that silver spoon up you ass!
Posted by: Terry Crawley | Jan 23, 2022 4:49:05 PM
These new laws by the ON GOV will benefit everyone in the long run; clarity is important when purchasing a motor vehicle.
Posted by: Lisa | Jan 23, 2022 5:00:53 PM
I didn't know these new laws had come into effect, but I'm very happy about this. Noone in my family is a mechanic, good with cars. I was always afraid of getting a "snow job" when visitng a dealership. I can now relax. This is good.
Posted by: Chris | Jan 23, 2022 5:56:07 PM
Good news! hope it goes true. Car dealers are liars & crooks, I was hoping for all of them to go bankrupt! But that's not going to happen, because they have amass fortunes, even when they say they make little profits!! Maybe the goverment will force them to be honest!! Comming from Politicians that is VERY unlikely!!!
Posted by: TheorenZ | Jan 23, 2022 6:47:31 PM
Alberta needs to do this as well. I got burned, and by a dealer who was "reputable." After I became disguntled, I did some research, and found that their rating with the Better Business Bureau was "F." Yeah, like an F you would get on a test. FAIL.
Live and learn!
Posted by: Grinder | Jan 23, 2022 9:28:27 PM
The rip-off artists will just find new ways to lie and cheat a few extra bucks out of us, but I'm all for making it harder for them to do.
Posted by: nobody | Jan 23, 2022 9:48:42 PM
When buying put things in the contract, in writing..............otherwise do not buy from that dealer.
Posted by: infidel | Jan 23, 2022 10:53:06 PM
This is a good start, but should be expanded to include EVERYTHING for sale. Even taxes should be included in the sticker price. The bottom line should really be the bottom line - what you see is what you pay. No exceptions.
Posted by: George Waugh | Jan 23, 2022 10:58:58 PM
Good, now if we could get the government to protect us in a similar way from crooked lawyers and a corrupt justice system in general.
Posted by: Gord Robbins | Jan 24, 2022 8:30:58 AM
Yes it is very hard to determine the bottom line as special discounts upcharges and hidden extras will often bump up the final price.I had a situation with a dealer whhere he would not give me a dollar figure on a special fleet employee discount he did not get the sale.
Posted by: BERNIE | Jan 26, 2022 11:31:01 AM
THESE,SNEW LAWS SHOULD ALSO TAKE IN THE CUSTOMERS TRADE IN WHICH THEY NEVER REVEAL THE TRUTH ABOUT THER CAR DEALER ARE NOT THE ONLY LIARS 90% OF THE CUSTOMER BRING IN ALL FALSE STATEMENTS ABOUT THEIR CAR BUT DEALER HAS NO RECOURSE THIS SHOULD ALSO BE CHANGED TO HELP PROTECT THE DEALER AND THE HONEST CUSTOMER,,,,