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New to Canada? Protect Yourself When Buying a Car in Ontario

September 24, 2025
Blogs

Buying a car is often one of the first big purchases newcomers make after arriving in Ontario. Whether you need a vehicle for work, school, or family, it’s important to understand your rights and how to avoid scams. That’s where the Ontario Motor Vehicle Industry Council (OMVIC) can help. 

OMVIC is the provincial organization that makes sure car dealers in Ontario follow the law. The law is called the Motor Vehicle Dealers Act (MVDA). OMVIC’s job is to protect consumers by: 

  • Making sure dealers follow strict rules. 
  • Taking action against those who break the law. 
  • Educating the car buying public. 
  • Offering help through the Motor Vehicle Dealers Compensation Fund if something goes wrong with a purchase. 

One of OMVIC’s main goals is to protect car buyers from curbsiders. 

Curbsiders are illegal sellers. They pretend to be private individuals selling their personal car, but in reality, they sell vehicles without a licence. They usually advertise online, through friends, or in local communities. To someone new to Ontario, they may look friendly and trustworthy, but they are breaking the law and can put you at serious risk. 

If you buy from a curbsider, you have no legal protection. These sellers often hide big problems like: 

  • accident damage, 
  • rolled-back odometers, 
  • stolen cars, or 
  • cars rebuilt with stolen parts. 

Because curbsiders are not licensed, you are not protected by Ontario’s consumer protection laws. If something goes wrong, you may lose your money and have no way to get help. Many curbsiders also ask for cash, making them hard to track or hold accountable. 

To make car buying easier, OMVIC offers free translation services in more than 150 languages. This helps newcomers get answers to their questions and understand their rights in a language they know well. 

  • If you are new to Ontario and planning to buy a car: 
  • Contact OMVIC early for advice. 
  • Use OMVIC’s curbsider checklist to spot and avoid illegal sellers. Click the button below to download the checklist and learn how to protect yourself, your family, and your community. 
  • Stay informed – sign up for OMVIC’s monthly car-buying newsletter here. 

Download the Curbsider Checklist