Thinking of buying a used car and are unsure about what previous damage to the car has to be shared with you? The Vehicle Safety Authority (VSA) has some great questions and answers on this topic that is available on their blog. We wanted to share that information with you (with permission of course!).
Q&A 1.
Question: I’m buying a used vehicle. What are dealers required to declare about the vehicle?
Answer: Dealers need to tell you about the prior use of the vehicle – that is, if the vehicle was previously used as a taxi, emergency vehicle, etc. They need to tell you the odometer readings and if it was ever registered outside of BC. Dealers also need to let you know if the vehicle had damage repairs that totaled more than $2,000.
Q&A 2.
Question: Which documents show damage declarations?
Answer: Damage declarations are made on two forms – the some information (the ICBC transfer document) and the purchase/some information. Your sales agreement needs to include all disclosures and declarations.
The VSA has a lot of resources on buying a vehicle (new or old) so please check out their website for more information.
About the Vehicle Sales Authority:
The VSA is a regulatory agency authorized by the provincial government to enforce certain BC laws as they relate to the sale of personal-use motor vehicles, and related regulations. Learn more about them and get useful information for consumers and motor dealers at www.vehiclesalesauthority.com.
ADDITIONAL READING:
Can I return a new car?
Can you spot a shady used car deal?
Watch out for curbers!
All tips that you have provided are nice for buying a new car. every person should follow these point before buying a new car. Buying of old used car is fabulous and excellent experience for one. Used rental cars are many time very nice low in cost & can be drive by any mode,as cost incurred is low, maximum use, it would be a fabulous & great experience. having used rental car in home is necessary for children to get experience in driving.
on the MVPA 1b dealer states no
When dealer had me sign the form , i said wait a minute How would I know this. the reply was “ Did you not get the ICBC report” my answer “NO’
Along with the other forms I was given the ICBC report which I did not read till I got home
and I seen that the vehicle was in 5 different accidents 2 of which were way over 2000.00 Verbily they said no and signed the form “NO”
What now??
I see that your comment was made in 2014 but i hope you see this am i am going threw the same concerns and now in small claims court looking for examples of what industry standard would be. what was the final outcome of all this for you please feel free to contact me @ chris_gagnon_1 @ hotmail.com
Good evening. My name is Wolfgang Mooren.The reason I am contacting you is first and foremost that I bought a Vehicle from Brian Jessell BMW. On the Bill of Sale it clearly states that there was no accident over $2000.00 When I tried to sell my Car Carfax showed that there was.I tried talking to my Service Manager to sort it out and was told that in good faith they (Brian Jessell) gave me all the information that they had and from his experience if I went through the Motor Vehicle authority from his many years in the business he hardly ever sees a positively outcome from the Complanent. The second issue is I advised them from inception of buying the Car that there was ba problem with the Transmission. This vehicle went in numerous times and I was given a clean bill of health everytime and I was ademate that there was a problem which I had to pay for Vince the warranty ran out. This car is a Lemon at 50.000Km they had to replace the Motor and at 80,000 the Transmission which I had to pay for
Hi Wolfgang, thank you for leaving a comment on our blog. As our post suggests, the Vehicle Sales Authority is the regulatory agency authorized by the provincial government to enforce certain BC laws as they relate to the sale of personal-use motor vehicles. Consumer Protection BC doesn’t have any authority over the industry. Their website is here. If you are looking for monetary compensation, you can also look into Civil Resolution Tribunal (CRT) which is an online-based platform where you can resolve your issue with the business directly. Here is their website. I hope you will be able to sort out the issue quickly!
Hi Robert — thanks for your question. As this is an issue that falls outside the laws we administer, you may wish to contact the Motor Vehicle Sales Authority as they may have information or resources to share with you. Here is a link to their “contact us” page: [url]http://www.mvsabc.com/contact-us[/url] Hope this helps!
Hi Sharon — If you bought it from a licensed dealership, you’ll need to check with the Motor Vehicle Sales Authority of BC as they are responsible for regulating this industry. Here’s a link to their website: http://mvsabc.com/ All the best!
I have purchased a 2012 toyota camry 2 weeks ago. It’s nice to drive but not sure if I want a car this big. I believe I have 30 days for an exchange – true? If so, is there a penalty and would I have to pay the documentation fee again?
We bought an used RDX 2013 from a it’s dealership in Langley. My husband has to send to service within a week of purchase due to noisy sound on the left underside of the car. We learned that it has previous in-house damaged on the bumper area that cost them $5000 to replaced.
The issue here is breach of disclosure of the said car prior damage. Can I still return or replace the car of the same model? I pointed this out to the manager and they just offered us a year of free service for the car. Is this a fair deal or I am entitled for a replacement?
Thanks!
Hi Ayeen, thank you for leaving us a message. You may want to contact the Vehicle Sales Authority of BC as they are responsible for regulating this industry. Here’s a link to their website: http://mvsabc.com/ I hope this information helps.
My son purchased a car from a private individual about 1 year ago. The seller did not declared to accidents well over $2000.00. we just discovered this. What recourse does he have?
My son purchased a car from a private individual about 1 year ago. The seller did not declared to accidents well over $2000.00. we just discovered this. What recourse does he have?
My son purchased a car from a private individual about 1 year ago. The seller did not declared to accidents well over $2000.00. we just discovered this. What recourse does he have?
My son purchased a car from a private individual about 1 year ago. The seller did not declared to accidents well over $2000.00. we just discovered this. What recourse does he have?
Hi George, unfortunately private vehicle sales are not regulated in BC. I’m afraid you may have to ask a lawyer about this and possibly take it to a small claims court to dispute it. To be sure about your next steps, you may want to contact the Vehicle Sales Authority to double check to see what they say. Their contact information is here – http://mvsabc.com/contact-us/
I bought a 2013 Hyundai Genesis from a dealer 3 months ago and just found out it doesn’t have the factory suspension, it has been changed so my warranty won’t cover any repairs. Do I have any recourse to the dealership? as I thought the car would be under full warranty when I bought it.
Hi Crystal, if you bought the vehicle from a licensed dealer, you may want to contact the Vehicle Sales Authority of British Columbia. Their information is here… http://mvsabc.com/ They license motor vehicle dealerships and salespeople in BC.
Hi Wally, thank you for your comment. In BC, private vehicle sales and trades are not regulated. You may want to speak to a lawyer regarding this. The Canadian Bar Association of BC has a Dial-A-Law service as well as lawyer referral service. You may want to start there. Here is their website: http://www.cbabc.org/For-the-Public/Dial-A-Law I hope they will be able to give you a hand, Wally!
I had made a straight trade deal with a private seller. On my registration and on the tranfer papers it stated that my vehicle has a rebuild status. I assumed he looked at the papers when he signed and now he is threatening to sue me because of the rebuild status on my trade. I dont think I did anything illegal as it was on the papers and he never asked. And when he did ask about the rebuild later I told him I would be glad to give him the ispection reports for his records
Hi Jo-anne, thank you for your question. With regards to your trailer, you may want to contact two different places – one is the Vehicle Sales Authority of BC, their website is here (http://mvsabc.com/). And the other place is CAMVAP, Canadian Motor Vehicle Arbitration Plan and their website is here (http://www.camvap.ca/). I hope one of the organization is able to help you!
Bought a 2001 Chalet ltw trailer. Just giving it a good wash and realized whole floor is rotten. We were never told of any damage. When asked everything is good. Patch job where you stand everything else you can put your hand through it. He signed off on no damages over $2000. Do we have any recourse.
Private sales its always the buyers responsibility to check into that. Being aware of the rebuild status and not mentioning it is slimy, but there is nothing he can do.
Dealerships on the other hand must disclose any title issues.
Hi Brian — I’m sorry to hear that. Licensed dealerships are regulated by the Motor Vehicle Sales Authority, so it’d be best to give them a call to see if you have any options. Here’s a link to their Contact Us page — http://mvsabc.com/contact-us/
I am a novice buyer and took the licenced dealerships word that they had inspected the vehicle and all engine fluids were okay.
Turns out the tranny fluid was black and burnt and the transmission is doomed after two months.
Do I have any recourse for their faulty inspection report?
Hint: don’t be an idiot like me, always check engine fluids for yourself before buying
Hi Hiroaki, thank you for your question.
Have you contacted the Vehicle Sales Authority? They may have some more information that could be helpful to you, their website is here (mvsabc.com/).
If you are still considering legal action, an option for you is the small claims court, here is the link to their website http://www.smallclaimsbc.ca/.
Additionally, a service that might be useful is this lawyer referral service which enables the public to access lawyers and provides the opportunity to have a consultation with a lawyer for up to 30 minutes for a fee of $25 plus tax. Here is the link to their website http://www.cbabc.org/for-the-public/lawyer-referral-service
I hope this is helpful to you!
I bought 2016 challenger SRT from Chrysler dealership in Langley.
Vehicle was own by sales manager with only 3K
Next day when I’ve washed the car I noticed many small dent on drivers side and I’ve managed get them fix. After 1 week later I’ve discovered that hood wasn’t aligned, after careful inspectin I’ve noticed fresh Repaint all over the hood lock and under panels, also hood bolts had been moved and noticed fresh new line of the henge.
Dealership manager said there isn’t any accident but I have the proof.
Now I’m thinking if taken the legal action for auto fraud.
I purchased a used SUV in a private sale. Seller told me there was absolutely nothing wrong with the vecihle. Had a witness with me during the sale. Bought car. Drove it home.
Noticed a strange odor in cabin. Contacted seller, who told me it was just a fuel fuse. 3 days later the transmission blew. Cost for tow to mechanic $155.00. Contacted seller. Seller stated they were very sorry and would pay for half of the repairs.
E transfered $1000.00 to help with repairs.
Repairs are $4000. Seller now tells me they have no more money to assist.
Paid $7000.00 and can’t drive the car. Still at mechanic’s 3 weeks later.
I have evidence of seller stating they would pay half and I believe they knew the car had a transmission problem.
Horrible!
What can I do?
Hi Nicole, thank you for reaching out to us here. When you purchase from a private seller, instead of through a licensed vehicle dealership, the legal protections offered by the Vehicle Sales Authority do not apply to the purchase. In this situation, it is likely that if you cannot reach a solution with the seller, your only recourse would be through the courts. If you are interested in pursuing the issue legally, you may be interested in the Lawyer Referral Service from the Canadian Bar Association. You can have 30 minutes on the phone with a lawyer for approximately $25. Another option is to take the issue to the Civil Resolution Tribunal. The CRT can help you resolve certain disputes quickly in variety of different ways. We’ve written a blog post about what to expect from the CRT, if you are interested in taking a look. I hope this helps and best of luck!
I’ve just bought a used car, after I brought it home I found out the air conditioner was leaking oil. If the third party warranty won’t cover the costs of repairing this, is the dealer responsible for getting it fixed?
Hi Charlotte, thanks for the question. We have no authority when it comes to issues related to dealerships, but I’m happy to provide you a referral. The Vehicle Sales Authority regulates licensed dealerships in BC and they may be able to give you an answer. Here’s a link to their contact information: https://mvsabc.com/contact-us/. I hope this is helpful and best of luck!