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NewCarBC.org

Consumer resource centre

Know your rights before you sign.

Buying a new car is one of the largest purchases most families make. These independent organizations regulate dealers, resolve disputes and protect British Columbians. We are not affiliated with any of them.

Vehicle Sales Authority of BC (VSA)

BC's regulator of motor dealers and salespeople under the Motor Dealer Act. Every dealer selling vehicles to consumers in BC must be licensed by the VSA.

How they can help

  • Look up whether a dealer or salesperson is licensed
  • File a complaint about misrepresentation, undisclosed fees or unfair practices
  • Claims against the Motor Dealer Customer Compensation Fund if a licensed dealer fails to deliver
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Consumer Protection BC

Provincial agency enforcing the Business Practices and Consumer Protection Act — including rules on deceptive acts, cancellation rights and consumer credit disclosure.

How they can help

  • Questions about contracts, financing disclosure and your cancellation rights
  • Reporting deceptive or unconscionable business practices
  • Guidance on debt collection and payday-style lending
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CAMVAP

The Canadian Motor Vehicle Arbitration Plan — a free, binding arbitration program for disputes with manufacturers over defects or warranty administration on new and recent vehicles.

How they can help

  • Unresolved manufacturing defects
  • Warranty claims the manufacturer has denied
  • Can order repairs, reimbursement or a vehicle buyback
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Better Business Bureau — Mainland BC

A non-profit that publishes business profiles, complaint histories and reviews, and helps mediate disputes between consumers and businesses.

How they can help

  • Check a dealer's complaint history before you buy
  • Submit a complaint for informal mediation
  • Scam alerts via BBB Scam Tracker
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Transport Canada — Recalls

The federal department that oversees vehicle safety standards and recalls.

How they can help

  • Search open safety recalls by make, model and year
  • Report a suspected safety defect
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ICBC

BC's public auto insurer and vehicle registrar.

How they can help

  • Insurance and registration for your new vehicle
  • Vehicle history and damage reports on used trade-ins
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Financial Consumer Agency of Canada (FCAC)

Federal agency protecting consumers of financial products, including car loans and leases from banks.

How they can help

  • Understanding loan vs. lease costs and credit reports
  • Complaints about federally regulated lenders
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Competition Bureau Canada

Federal law-enforcement agency that addresses misleading advertising, including drip pricing (advertised prices that exclude mandatory fees).

How they can help

  • Report ads that hide mandatory fees
  • Report misleading price or payment claims
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BC new-car buyer's checklist

  1. Confirm the dealer and salesperson are VSA-licensed.
  2. In BC, an advertised price must include all fees except GST/PST — ask for the all-in number in writing.
  3. Get the bill of sale itemized: price, freight/PDI, documentation fee, add-ons, taxes, trade-in value and lien payout.
  4. For financing, ask for the APR, term, total cost of borrowing and any mandatory products bundled in.
  5. Add-ons (protection packages, extended warranties, etching) are optional — you can decline them.
  6. There is generally no automatic 'cooling-off' period on a vehicle purchase in BC — read before you sign.
  7. Check for open recalls with Transport Canada before taking delivery.

General information only, not legal advice. Rules change — confirm with the relevant organization.

If something goes wrong

  1. Raise it with the dealer's sales or general manager, in writing.
  2. Defects or warranty problems: contact the manufacturer's customer care, then CAMVAP.
  3. Dealer conduct, fees or misrepresentation: file a complaint with the VSA.
  4. Financing or contract issues: Consumer Protection BC or FCAC.
  5. For serious disputes, the BC Civil Resolution Tribunal handles claims up to $5,000.