Beware of curbsiders! Until today I didn’t know what a curbsider was. Curbsiders are actually unregistered car dealers posing as private citizens and selling cars. They specialize in selling cars that are stolen, have had their odometres rolled back, or have liens against them. Consumers who purchase from these unscrupulous people are at risk because they have no recourse after the fact. Only transactions made with registered car dealers are protected through the Motor Vehicles Dealer Compensation Fund.

 If you are suspicious of someone who is trying to sell you a car you can easily check to see if he is a registered dealer by going to the Ontario Motor Vehicle Industry Council (OMVIC) website at www.omvic.on.ca or by calling them at 1-800-943-6002. If you suspect someone of being a curbsider you can report them to the OMVIC by e-mail at nocurbs@omvic.on.ca or by phone at 1-888-NOCURBS.

 
There are still many good used cars and honest people out there if you decide to buy from a private person. Just be careful and take a few precautions. Make sure that the seller provides you with a Used Vehicle Information Package and have the car checked out by a mechanic that you trust.