A dealer is ripping me off. Who can I call?

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You’re buying a car, but you suspect the dealer you’re negotiating with is up to something shifty. Are you on your own, or is there someone you can call for help?

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If you’re not in too deep, sometimes the best response is just to take your business elsewhere. But if you’re attached to a particular car or have already signed some paperwork—or if you come across something egregious and want to help others avoid it—you may choose to pursue matters further.

Calling the automaker’s corporate office is one option. In certain situations, the brand may be concerned enough about its public image to take action. But that’s not your only option, and sometimes it’s not even your best option.

In Ontario, British Columbia, and Alberta, auto dealer operations are overseen and regulated at a provincial level by vehicle sales regulators. These regulators are tasked with enforcing laws around car sales and consumer protection. Elsewhere in Canada, provincial consumer affairs offices performs this role. If you suspect the dealer you’re interacting with is being less than honest or skirting the law, your local vehicle sales regulator or consumer affairs office should be your first call.

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Here’s a look at the vehicle sales regulators and consumer affairs offices in each province in Canada, including the appropriate contact information.

What type of business is considered a car dealer?

An individual or company selling vehicles for profit is considered a car dealer under the law. In Ontario, B.C., and Alberta, any such entity is required to be registered as a motor vehicle seller in their province of business. Once a dealer is registered, that entity is bound by its province’s laws and is regulated by its motor vehicle regulator.

A private seller, such as someone whose listing you might find on an online used car marketplace, can legally sell a vehicle they own. This is because they’re not doing it as a business but are selling their own property. Think of a car dealer as a real estate agent and a private car seller as a homeowner. You can sell your own home privately if you wish because you own it, but you can’t sell other people’s homes or cars without a licence.

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It’s important to note that private sellers are not regulated in the same way car dealers are. If you’re having an issue with a private seller, the organizations listed in this article won’t be able to help you. In these cases, you’ll need to go the route of lawyers or law enforcement.

There’s a grey area that often gets buyers into trouble, though, and that’s curbsiders.

What is a curbsider?

A curbsider is someone who sells vehicles for profit but acts like a private seller. Technically, selling cars is how they do business, but they aren’t registered as a car dealer and therefore are not overseen by motor vehicle regulators. Curbsiders face significant legal penalties if caught, but that doesn’t help you if you unknowingly buy a car from one since your avenues for recourse will be limited.

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Curbsiders often flip cars for profit and engage in shady dealings while doing so, such as rolling back odometers, selling cars that are salvage or have been flooded, or trying to hide crash damage. How do you spot a curbsider? You may answer an ad for a private sale and show up to a business with multiple cars on the lot. The price may seem too good to be true (if it looks that way, it almost always is). The vehicle may be registered under a different name than that of the seller or the person who responded to your inquiry. And if they refuse to have the car undergo inspection or provide a vehicle history report, they likely have something to hide.

Most importantly, don’t buy a car privately unless you’re prepared to accept that you won’t have regulators or consumer affairs offices on your side if something goes wrong. In B.C., Alberta, and Ontario, you can confirm whether the dealer you’re working with is registered by checking with your provincial motor vehicle regulator.

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When should I call a vehicle sales regulator or consumer affairs office?

A vehicle sales regulator or consumer affairs office can help in situations such as:

If the concern is simply that you’ve changed your mind, you’re unfortunately out of luck. In most of Canada, there is no cooling-off period once you’ve signed an agreement to purchase a vehicle. The most significant exception is Quebec, where you have two days to back out. Otherwise, unless a cooling-off period is included in your contract, it’s binding and no consumer advocacy group will be able to help you get out of it.

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Motor vehicle regulators and consumer affairs offices don’t typically get involved in warranty disputes or issues related to a vehicle’s condition upon delivery. If your concern falls into these categories, CAMVAP is your best option.

What is CAMVAP?

If your dealer and the vehicle manufacturer won’t assist you with resolving vehicle defects, you can file a claim with the Canadian Motor Vehicle Arbitration Plan (CAMVAP). This program provides third-party arbitration between consumers and auto manufacturers regarding vehicle defects that arise during the new vehicle warranty period. The service is free and its decisions are binding for all parties, which can range from reimbursement for repairs all the way to a full manufacturer buyback of the vehicle. Note that not all car manufacturers participate in CAMVAP. Contact CAMVAP for more information.

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Who is the regulator of motor vehicle sales in B.C.?

In British Columbia, the Vehicle Sales Authority of B.C. (VSABC) is the provincial motor vehicle regulator. Visit their website, or reach their Consumer Inquiries and Complaints line at [email protected] or call 604-575-7255.

Who regulates car dealerships in Alberta?

The motor vehicle regulator in Alberta is the Alberta Motor Vehicle Industry Council (AMVIC). AMVIC can be reached via its website. To submit a claim, visit the Consumer Complaint Portal here.

How do I file a complaint against a car dealership in Saskatchewan?

The Financial and Consumer Affairs Authority (FCAA) of the Government of Saskatchewan is responsible for receiving complaints about car dealers in the province. Learn more at their website, or contact the Consumer Protection Division at 306-787-5550, or by email at [email protected].

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Who regulates car dealerships in Manitoba?

The Consumer Protection Office of the Government of Manitoba administers consumer protection laws in the province. Visit the CPO’s website for more information, or contact the office at [email protected], or by phone at 204-945-3800.

Where do I complain about a car dealership in Ontario?

OMVIC, the Ontario Motor Vehicle Industry Council, is the provincial motor vehicle sales regulator in Ontario. OMVIC’s Consumer Support Services department is reachable at 1-800-943-6002, or you can submit a claim through their online portal. Visit OMVIC’s website.

How do I file a complaint against a car dealership in Quebec?

The Office de la protection du consommateur is responsible for consumer protection in Quebec relating to car dealers. Visit their automobile portal for consumers to learn more, and visit their Contact Us page to find the best methods for contacting them in your area.

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How do I make a complaint about a car dealer in New Brunswick?

New Brunswick’s Financial and Consumer Services Commission accepts complaints regarding car dealers in the province. Visit their website for more information, or reach the office at the Fredericton or Saint John offices at the information on their Contact Us page.

Where can I complain about a car dealership on Prince Edward Island?

The Consumer Services department of the Government of Prince Edward Island is responsible for administering the province’s Consumer Protection Act. Contact this department at 902-368-4550, by email at [email protected], or via their website.

How do I file a complaint against a car dealer in Nova Scotia?

You can make a complaint about a business in Nova Scotia, including a car dealership, through Service Nova Scotia. More information and the claims submission form can be found here.

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Newfoundland and Labrador car dealer complaints

In Newfoundland and Labrador, complaints against a car dealer are registered using the Complaint Record Form provided by Consumer Affairs. The form is available as a PDF and can be downloaded at this link.

How to complain about a car dealer in Yukon

To file a complaint against a car dealer in Yukon, the best course of action is to contact Regulatory Affairs. Note that car dealerships are not among the regulated types of businesses in Yukon, but this office is the most likely to be able to help. Regulatory Affairs can be reached at 867-667-5798 or by email at [email protected]. Complaints cannot be registered by telephone, but staff will provide information on how to proceed.

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Northwest Territories car dealership complaints

The Consumer Affairs office in the Northwest Territories is responsible for assisting consumers with complaints about car dealerships. Find the Consumer Complaint Form on this website, or contact the office at 867-767-9161 or [email protected].

How to complain about a car dealer in Nunavut

Complaints about a used vehicle dealer operating in Nunavut can be submitted to the territorial government. If you purchase a new vehicle outside the territory, you’ll likely need to involve the motor vehicle regulator or consumer affairs office in the province where the dealer does business. In either case, contact the Government of Nunavut to find out the best procedure at 867-975-6000 or [email protected].