Curbsider Research

The UCDA has conducted research on curbsider activity across Canada for several years, revealing that a range of 18% - 21% of used vehicles were listed by individuals misrepresenting themselves as “private sellers.”

Although the curbsider may appear to be just an individual selling the family car, often times they will have several vehicles for sale at the same time.

In a 2012 Ontario study conducted by the UCDA of online used car listings, nearly 1 in 3 “private sellers” had multiple vehicles for sale – some as many 30 vehicles for sale at one time. Websites such as Kijiji.ca and Craigslist are hotbeds for curbsiders.  According to UCDA's  2012 study, over 90% of suspected curbsiders were found advertising on Kijiji.ca.

The UCDA survey results have been reviewed by OMVIC (the government regulator), as well as the Canada Revenue Agency. OMVIC has had excellent success prosecuting curbsiders, and with the new MVDA, those convicted face a minimum $2,500 fine. The Canada Revenue Agency will review such cases to look for tax evaders.

OMVIC's most recent conviction of a curbsider resulted in total fines of $80,000.