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OMVIC’s mystery shop program began last week

March 2, 2022
Dealer Bulletins Selling

February 22, 2022, marks the beginning of our annual mystery shop program where OMVIC’s investigators and inspectors will pose as consumers seeking out non-compliant advertising and disclosures, and unregistered salespersons. The annual selection process involves utilizing a randomized generator to create a list of dealers that will be shopped across Ontario. Those who fail the mystery shop may receive administrative action.

This year, OMVIC will visit dealers in the following municipalities: Etobicoke, Scarborough, Peterborough, Belleville, Chatham-Kent, Grey Bruce, Kanata, Cornwall, Belleville, Muskoka, London, Guelph, Kawartha Lakes, St. Catharines, Markham and Richmond Hill.

Note: this list is not exhaustive. OMVIC may conduct mystery shopping outside of these regions.

Below is an overview of the results from the 2021 mystery shop program

  • OMVIC visited 95 motor vehicle dealers across various regions within Ontario.
  • 72 per cent of those involved in the mystery shop program passed with flying colours. This represents a 13 per cent increase since 2020, demonstrating that Ontario dealers are more compliant with the Motor Vehicle Dealers Act (MVDA).
  • 28 per cent of registrants were unsuccessful in passing the checks. 59 per cent of those who failed received a caution letter and 41 per cent were recommended for disciplinary action.
  • The main area of non-compliance was all-in price advertising and 59 per cent were recommended to receive a caution letter.

To ensure you’re compliant this year with all-in price advertising, sign up for OMVIC’s educational webinars. For more information, contact [email protected] or call 1-800-943-6002 ext.3180.

To access OMVIC’s advertising review services, contact [email protected] or call 1-800-943-6002 ext.3180.

If you have questions about the mystery shop program, contact 1-800-943-6002. To learn more about compliance under the MVDA, review the requirements.