Matrixvisa
Inc.
Immigration Law and International Recruitment
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Buying a Car
Every province has it’s own laws with regards to motor vehicle safety and the automobile market. Immigrants are advised to research the laws in the province where they live.
For example in Ontario the Canadian Provincial Government’s Ministry of Transportation can be contacted at http://www.mto.gov.on.ca . When buying a used vehicle, ask for a "Used Vehicle Information Package" (UVIP) upfront, it is worth every sent/penny. The UVIP will give the history of the vehicle from the time it was registered in Ontario. If the Seller tells you that he had the vehicle for five years in Ontario, but the UVIP shows it has been in Ontario only for 1 year something maybe missing. Investigate further. The Motor Vehicle Industry Council in Ontario is responsible for ensuring that motor vehicle dealers in Ontario comply with the Motor Vehicle Dealers Act. If something goes wrong the consumer might have recourse through the Motor Vehicle Compensation Fund. If a newcomer buys a vehicle privately there is no recourse under the Act and through the Fund.
To
Purchace a vehicle and be insured in Ontario - a new rule from beginning
of 2006
In order to purchase a vehicle and be insured in Ontario, one has to have an Ontario drivers licence (even though we are permitted to drive on International licences and have 2 months to get local licence). See more info regarding Ontario Licensing.
It is illegal to be working as a non-registered motor vehicle dealer. These people (known as “curbsiders”) are getting charged, fined and some even go to jail. However one is allowed to buy another citizen’s car privately. Up to twenty percent of used car advertisers in Toronto are curbsiders.
The Automobile Consumer Coalition receive about 50-60 calls a day about deals that has gone bad.
What should you do?
- Get
a reliable and registered motor vehicle dealer – ask your friends
or family.
- If
buying through a dealer ask for their registration certificate of
the Ontario Motor Vehicle Industry Association. If you are in another
province ask for a similar document, if it is required by provincial
laws.
- Ask
for a UVIP upfront, especially when buying privately. The UVIP is
a Ontario document and other provinces might have other information
packages for their vehicles.
- Avoid
being pressured into a hurried decision.
- Avoid
sellers that discourages you to check facts.
- Go
to Autotrader (on the website
or buy a hard copy) or any other website for second hand cars (see
below) or buy a book about new cars (see below) and determine the
value of similar vehicles.
- Ask
the seller to put it in writing that there are no liens against the
vehicle (no money owned on the vehicle).
- Have
the car tested at a testing facility, such as Canadian Tire. Candian Tire can do a complete
vehicle check for about $100. When buying from an individual, tell
the person that if everything is OK you will refund the cost of the
Canadian Tire report. First contact Canadian Tire and ask the latest
cost of the test and exactly what information it will include.
- Buy
a book about used or new cars in Canada, it is worth every sent. For
example certain car models might be known for weak air-conditioning or
weak gearboxes. Make sure that these weak points are well investigated
when the car is inspected. There are several books that can be considered
in the Lemon-Aid series:
- Lemon Aid: Used Cars 2002 by Phil Edmonston ISBN 0773761829 Cost $26,99
- Lemon Aid: Used Cars & Minivans 2003 by Phill Edmonston ISBN 0773762795 Cost $ 26,99
- Lemon
Aid: New Cars and Mini-Vans 2002 by Phil Edmonston ISBN 077376237X
Cost $26,99
- Check the cost of insurance before a car is bought, because it could be as high as your monthly payments on the car.
Websites for Cars (Second Hand and New):
Trader for second hand or “previously enjoyed” vehicles
401 Carfinder for second hand cars
Carsbynet for second hand cars
Autonet for second hand cars
Hebdo for Quebec
Buysell for second hand cars
Usedcarsontario for second hand cars
Ford new car prices
BMW for new and used car prices
Toyota for new car prices
Hyundai for new car prices
Nissan for new car prices
GM Canada for Chevrolet, Oldsmobile, Pontiac, Buick, GMC, Saturn, SAAB and Isuzu
Daimler-Chrysler for Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep
Saturn for new car prices
Saab for new car prices
Volvo for new car prices
Licensing
In Ontario an individual vehicle registrant get a license plate. When changing vehicles the plate goes with the owner. The owner's license is annually renewable on the owner's birthday – which is a sticker that is attached to the number plate. The sticker (called a “plate validation sticker”) will show the month of owner's birthday. If the birthday is 5 July and the police find the vehicle being driven without a new Plate Validation Sticker on 6 July the owner will be fined.
See the website for the Ministry of Transportation of Ontario for more information on License plates and Plate Validation Stickers.
Vehicle license information in other provinces can be found at:
Updated:
June 2007
Disclaimer