OMVIC offers help for buyers

If you run into a dispute with your registered motor vehicle dealer, there is help available through the Ontario Motor Vehicle Industry Council (OMVIC) - the provincial regulator of the dealer industry.

OMVIC's complaint handling team will work with you and your dealer in hopes of resolving the issue, and in some cases, avoid the hassle of going to court.

Before filing a complaint with OMVIC, give the dealer the opportunity to solve the problem - and make sure your expectations are reasonable. If that fails, contact OMVIC at 1-800-943-6002, or through its Web site, www.omvic.on.ca.

OMVIC advises that a complaint handler will probably need to see your lease agreement or bill of sale, repair estimates or bills and any letters sent to the dealer or others. You should also be aware that OMVIC cannot compel a settlement between you and your dealer - only the courts can do that - but the council says it's often successful helping both parties come to a resolution.

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