A good dealership makes buying a car straightforward; a bad one can cost you thousands. This page explains how to evaluate a dealer, which organisations regulate dealers in each province and how our dealership directory will work.
Last updated: October 28, 2026
Our directory is launching. We only list dealerships after verifying that they are registered with their provincial regulator. No dealers are listed yet. Dealers can apply through our list your business page.
Who regulates dealers in Canada
Vehicle sales are regulated by the provinces. In several provinces, dealers and salespeople must be registered, and buyers have access to complaint processes and, in some cases, compensation funds.
| Province | Regulator |
|---|---|
| Ontario | OMVIC (Ontario Motor Vehicle Industry Council) |
| Alberta | AMVIC (Alberta Motor Vehicle Industry Council) |
| British Columbia | Vehicle Sales Authority of BC (VSA) |
| Quebec | Office de la protection du consommateur (dealer licences and consumer rights) |
| Manitoba, Saskatchewan | Provincial consumer protection offices |
| Atlantic provinces | Provincial consumer affairs or registrar offices |
Check the regulator’s public registry before you buy, especially from a small lot or a seller who appears to run a business from a private listing (“curbsiding”).
How to evaluate a dealership
- All-in pricing: in Ontario, advertised prices must include all fees except HST and licensing. Ask for the full out-the-door price in writing in any province.
- Reviews and complaints: read recent reviews across several platforms and check for regulator complaints or disciplinary decisions.
- Disclosure: ask whether the vehicle was a daily rental, previously damaged, or branded as salvage or rebuilt.
- Add-ons: rust protection, paint sealant, extended warranties and credit insurance are optional. Ask for prices separately and decline what you do not need.
- Trade-in: negotiate the purchase price and the trade-in value separately.
Franchised vs independent dealers
Franchised dealers sell new vehicles for one or more brands and usually offer certified pre-owned programs and factory-trained service. Independent dealers sell used vehicles of all brands and can offer lower prices, but quality varies more. In both cases, a pre-purchase inspection by an independent mechanic is money well spent.
Red flags at a dealership
- Pressure to sign the same day or before a test drive.
- Refusal to allow an independent inspection of a used vehicle.
- Fees that appear only in the final contract.
- Payments discussed without the price, rate or term.
- A blank or incomplete contract presented for signature.
If something feels wrong, walk away. In most cases, there is no automatic cooling-off period when you buy a vehicle in Canada, so the contract is binding once signed. Read every page, and ask for a copy before you leave.
How our directory will work
Dealers apply through our list your business page. We verify provincial registration before publishing a profile, show the dealer’s real contact details and services, and clearly identify any paid placement. Customer reviews, when enabled, will be moderated and never written by the dealer.
Buying from a private seller instead
Private sales can be cheaper, but you lose most dealer-related protections. Ask for the vehicle’s ownership documents, confirm the seller’s identity matches the registration, check for liens and pay with a traceable method. In Ontario, the seller must provide a Used Vehicle Information Package. Our used car checklist covers every step, and a pre-purchase inspection is just as important as with a dealer.