Frequently Asked Questions

A curbsider is someone who poses as a private seller pretending to sell their own personal vehicle. In reality they are illegally in the business of selling vehicles. If you buy from a curbsider you have no protection.

Resolving problems is not always easy. Sometimes a neutral unbiased third party is called for. This person known as a mediator can help parties in a dispute focus on the main issues and move away from a motion or personal conflicts that may be preventing them from reaching a solution. For over two decades, the UCDA has offered free mediation to Ontario consumers and motor vehicle dealers. In the unlikely event that you and the dealer can't resolve a problem with a used car you bought anywhere in Ontario we may be able to help. Just contact the UCDA, by phone, mail, fax or email and UCDA staff lawyers will take it from there.

Not really, private sellers typically go to the Internet to see what dealers are charging for a car like theirs. Then they advertise it at or near the dealer's price the dealer's price includes all the legal protections provided by the legislation. An example of this protection is the dealer's compensation fund, if you buy a vehicle and you have proof that the dealer hasn't fulfilled their promises you can make a claim of up to $45,000 this protection is not available for private sales.

It's free. Many consumers and dealers are surprised the UCDA doesn't charge for such a useful service, but we feel more people will use mediation if it's free. We want to encourage mediation not make it harder for people to resolve disputes. In this way, the UCDA fulfills an important aspect of its mandate which is to enhance the image of the used vehicle industry.

Curbsiders often tell convincing stories about why they are selling a vehicle that they may not have owned for very long. Beware of stories like I'm leaving the country, I lost my job, I'm getting a company car, it belonged to my aunt, but she passed away if a private seller won't let you test drive a vehicle or have it inspected by your mechanic. There's a good chance the seller is a curbsider.