Disclosure Requirements

Disclosure requirements refer to the legal obligation of dealerships to inform buyers of certain important facts about a vehicle’s history or condition before completing a sale. These requirements vary by province but generally include things like: past accident damage above a certain threshold, whether a vehicle was a rental, taxi, or emergency vehicle, if it has been written off and rebuilt, any outstanding liens, and known defects. For instance, in Ontario's MVDA, dealers must disclose in writing if a car has had more than $3,000 of collision damage repaired, or if the odometer is inaccurate (rolled back or broken). Not disclosing required info can lead to the customer being able to undo the deal and the dealer facing fines or discipline [oai_citation:20‡omvic.ca](https://www.omvic.ca/buying/shopping-tips/curbsiders/#:~:text=example%2C%20repair%20shops%29) (e.g., OMVIC enforcement). In practice, disclosure is handled by reviewing vehicle history reports (which record accidents, etc.), inspecting the car, and putting all the info on a written disclosure form or the bill of sale. Even seemingly small things like previous daily rental use or prior out-of-province registration should be disclosed if required by the region’s regulations. In Quebec, for example, dealers must declare if a car came from outside Quebec, among other things. The dealership process includes a manager or F&I verifying all disclosures are made and having the customer acknowledge them (usually by signing off). This builds trust and ensures that there are no surprises later; it's far better for a customer to know upfront about a repaired collision than to find out themselves and lose faith in the dealer. Transparency via proper disclosure is both a legal duty and key to maintaining a good reputation.